Film and TV Contracts

Hire a director to direct videos or commercials with this USA Director Services Agreement.

• This is an ongoing contract that can be terminated at any time by written notice.
• The director will provide services to the production company only in connection with television commercials and videos, but will not direct any feature films, TV programs or other projects.
• The director will be paid a daily rate per shooting day, additional compensation in the form of profit participation, and a percentage-based director's fee for all videos shot.
• The director will also be entitled to a percentage of any net under-budget amounts on TV commercials shot by the director.
• All of the director's services are provided as a work made for hire, and the director waives all moral rights of authors (droit moral) with respect to the work produced under the Agreement.
• The director is engaged as an independent contractor, not as an employee, and he/she is responsible for paying his/her own payroll, withholding and other taxes, unemployment insurance, worker's compensation and other required amounts.
• The director is responsible for paying DGA membership dues, and the production company will pay any employer contributions to pension and benefit plans as required by the DGA Basic Agreement.
• Available as a fully editable MS Word template.
• Governed by the laws of the United States.

Write a deal memo for the director of photography on a film production with this customizable template. Terms of the Deal Memo include:

• If additional photography is required after shooting wraps in order to complete production of the picture, the DP will be given the first opportunity to perform the additional work.
• The DP will have final approval in the selection, hiring and termination of his/her crew, but the DP and the producer must mutually approve the grip, electric, and camera department.
• The DP can request specific crew, but if they fail to work under the producer's terms and conditions, the producer can terminate them at its discretion.
• The Director of Photography's services will be considered a work made for hire and the producer will be considered the author and will have full ownership rights to the work.
• The DP will be entitled to screen credit in the main titles or end titles (as applicable), as well as credit in paid advertising and one-sheet posters, whenever credit is accorded to the editor, production designer and costume designer.
• The DP will have access to the finished picture on a master format when it becomes available.
• Buy a copy of this Director of Photography Deal Memo template and save hundreds in legal fees.

Make sure your film distributors sign this Distributor Assumption Agreement to comply with SAG requirements for payment of residuals.

• In order to ensure that SAG members are paid the residuals that they are owed, Screen Actor's Guild requires all movie producers to have their distributors sign an assumption agreement under which they agree to pay residual payments directly to SAG instead of to the producer.
• This legal form template sets out how and when the residuals will be paid to SAG, as well as the form of reporting that the distributor is required to submit.
• SAG has the right to inspect the distributor's accounting and records with respect to revenues earned by the film.

Whether you're a union or non-union filmmaker, you still have to comply with SAG's requirements. Download your copy of the Distributor Assumption Agreement for Residuals.

Raise the money you need to develop and shoot a feature-length documentary with this fully editable Documentary Film Business Plan template.

• The Plan can be used by either a start-up or an existing film production company.
• The purpose of the Plan is to entice private investors to fund the production costs.
• The Business Plan template includes:
  • production plan,
  • distribution plan,
  • financial plan setting out the use of the proceeds, income projections, and a set of assumptions on which the projections are based,
  • instructions to help you pull your Business Plan together, and
  • a Confidentiality Agreement to protect against disclosure of your proprietary information.
• Impress would-be investors for your next documentary film with a well thought-out Business Plan. Buy and download the template to get you started.

Do an extras breakdown for or TV production with this downloadable form.

• The breakdown sheet can be extended for as many shooting days as are on the schedule.
• The breakdown tracks how many and what type of extras and background are required for each script page.
• This is a digital form that can be filled in on a laptop or tablet or used as a pre-printed sheet to be completed by hand.
• Get a copy of the Extras Breakdown Sheet for your casting director.

Would-be investors will need to see a well thought-out plan before they commit any money to your film project. Write yours with this fully editable Feature Film Business Plan template.

• The Plan includes:
  • a financial plan section, describing how the money will be raised for the project, how the funds will be used, and the assumptions on which the revenue model is based;
  • a summary of how revenues are disbursed;
  • a determination of ROI (return on investment);
  • potential income projections;
  • instructions to help you complete each section;
  • a Confidentiality Agreement to protect against disclosure of your proprietary information.
  • a disclaimer of liability regarding the accuracy and completeness of the financial information and projections contained in the Plan.
• Available in MS Word format.
• Buy and download the Feature Film Business Plan template and get started on your plan today.

Draw up a production budget summary for a feature film using this 39-page Excel spreadsheet which includes sections for:

• above the line expenses (story rights, producer, director, cast, travel and living expenses);
• production expenses (production staff, camera, set design, construction, striking, set operations, electrical, set dressing, props, special effects, mechanical effects, make-up, hair, wardrobe, locations, transportation, atmosphere, tests);
• post production expenses (picture editing, sound editing, lab, music);
• miscellaneous other expenses (overhead, insurance, publicity, etc).

The Feature Film Production Budget Summary will calculate your totals as you enter your figures. How easy is that? And the template can be re-used for future projects.

Record details of each film or tape reel with this free Film and Tape Log for Film Production form.

• The log form tracks which reel of film or roll of tape each scene and take is recorded on during filming.
• The form can be filled in on a computer and printed, or used as a preprinted form to be filled in by hand.

The Film / Tape Log sheet is a fully editable film production form. Ideal for student filmmakers.

If you want to use a clip from an existing film in a new film project, you'll need to get permission from the owner of the footage with this Film Clip License.

• The licensor (owner of the film clip) grants the producer a non-exclusive license to use the clip in connection with the production of the motion picture, but not for promotional purposes.
• The producer will still have to obtain the consent of any performers who appear in the film clip, as well as consents from the applicable unions and guilds.
• The producer must obtain any necessary broadcast licenses if there is any music contained in the film clip.
• The licensor will be accorded a screen credit in the motion picture, and provided with a complementary copy of the motion picture.
• The producer is not obligated to use the film clip.

Get all your clearances in order before you use the material. You can start with this Film Clip License form. It's a generic template that can be used on all kinds of productions, even live stage shows.

Deliver this Film Completion Agreement to the guarantor underwriting the completion and delivery of the film to secure financing for your motion picture.

• The guarantor has the right to recoup any secured sums from gross receipts of the film, subject to the prior rights of the financier under the Financing Agreement, and subject to any prior rights of the distributors, and the screen actor's guild.
• In return for payment of the guarantor's fee by the producer, the guarantor agrees to issue a completion guaranty to the financier.
• The template includes (i) a set of standard terms, (ii) warranties and representations of the producer, and (ii) provisions with respect to insurance that must be obtained by the producer.
• Available in MS Word format, customizable and reusable.
• This is a generic legal form which can be used in many jurisdictions.