Screenplay Template and Cover Page

You've commissioned an original screenplay from a writer. Now get the writer to sign this Certificate of Authorship. The screenwriter certifies that:

• The screenplay was written as a work made for hire commissioned by the producer, and that the producer is deemed to be the author of the work.
• The work is original and not in the public domain, has not been adapted and does not violate or infringe upon any other person's statutory or common law rights.
• The producer owns all right and title to the screenplay, and has the right to make any changes to the material, and the writer waives all moral rights.
• The writer will not make any claims or demands against any assignee or successor in interest of the producer.
• The writer will have no right to enjoin or restrain the distribution or exploitation of any motion picture or other material based on the screenplay.
• The Certificate of Authorship of Screenplay form is an important part of the documentation you need to establish your rights to the material. Download it for your production forms library.

Secure your option for worldwide rights to an original screenplay with this Option Agreement template.

Who are the parties to the Option Agreement?

The parties to the Option Agreement are (i) the writer of the screenplay, and (ii) a film producer seeking to option global motion picture, exploitation and merchandising rights for the screenplay.

What rights are granted under the option?

The writer grants the producer an exclusive and irrevocable option to purchase the rights to the screenplay.

If the option is exercised, the  producer would have the right to make sequels, prequels, remakes and TV series based on the work, for which the writer will be paid a percentage of the net profits.

What is included in the template?

This downloadable template also includes:

• Short Form Option Agreement for recording at the Copyright Office,
• Short Form Copyright Assignment, and
• Quitclaim Release of Interest in Literary Property.

Format and Legal Applicability

The Option Agreement for Rights to Original Screenplay is a downloadable and fully editable MS Word document. Buy the form once, use it as often as needed.

This is a generic legal document which can be used almost anywhere. 

Hire a screenwriter for a non-union motion picture project with this template Screenwriter Employment Agreement.

• Even though the production is non-union, the parties intend that Writers Guild of America (WGA) credit rules will apply to the contract, to the maximum extent possible.
• The screenwriter will be entitled to fixed compensation (flat fee), plus bonus compensation (based on final production budgets and credit allocation), and contingent compensation (calculated as a percentage of the net profits of the picture).
• The screenwriter will also get additional compensation for sequels and remakes of the picture, and episode and rerun compensation for any television series based on the screenplay.
• The producer will have sole ownership to the screenplay and all materials created in connection with the screenplay, including moral rights. The writer acknowledges that the services are provided to the producer as a work made for hire.
• The Agreement includes an acknowledgement of FCC disclosure regulations by the screenwriter.
• This USA Screenwriter Employment Agreement should be part of the production forms of any non-union project.