Film and TV Contracts

A Film Completion Guaranty must be provided by the producer and guarantor as part of the financing process for most independent motion pictures. Use this downloadable template to prepare the document you need.

• The guarantor is guaranteeing completion and delivery of the film to the lender (financier).
• If the producer fails to complete and deliver the film in accordance with the terms, the guarantor will take over production.
• The guarantor is under no obligation under the Guaranty until the strike price (production financing) has been advanced.
• The guarantor is not responsible for obtaining any rating for the film, or to deliver any materials other than the delivery materials, or for the quality of the film itself.
• If the guarantor fails to complete and deliver the film, it will repay the financier in full for all sums advanced.
• The guarantor subordinates any claims it may have against the producer to the repayment of the financier and all of the financier's rights and security interests.
• The template includes a Notice Cure and Arbitration Agreement.
• Before you can get your funding, make sure your paperwork is in order, including this Film Completion Guaranty.

Make up your contact sheets for the cast and crew of a film or TV production with these downloadable forms.

• The file contains two templates, one to be used for cast and one for crew members.
• Fill in each contact sheet with the names of everyone involved in the filming, their phone, cell and pager numbers and emails at which they can be reached.
• This is a reusable digital template which can be filled in on a PC or laptop, or printed off in blank form and filled in by hand.
• Available in MS Word format.

Hire a director for a non-union motion picture production with this Director Employment Agreement.

• This is a non-union contract but the parties intend the DGA credit rules to apply.
• The director will furnish pre-production, production and post-production services as required for the film, including editing, reshoots and additional photography, soundtrack, etc. (subject to prior contractual commitments).
• The director's compensation will consist of fixed flat fee compensation, plus deferred and contingent compensation.
• The producer has the right to suspend or terminate the agreement if the director becomes incapacitated or is in default of his/her obligations.
• If the producer becomes a DGA signatory, the Directors' Guild of America Basic Agreement will govern if there is a conflict between its terms and the terms of the Employment Agreement.
• You can tailor the non-union Director Employment Agreement for your specific needs, and use it as often as you like.

Obtain the services of a director for a feature film on a loan-out basis with this Director Loan-Out Agreement for DGA members.

• The director's services are being "loaned" to the producers of the movie through his/her own operating company. The Loan-Out Agreement sets out the terms on which those services will be provided.
• The Agreement is controlled by the terms of the Directors Guild of America Basic Agreement.
• The director will provide exclusive services for pre-production, principal photography and post-production, plus additional post-production services as required for the film and on a first-call basis, subject to the director's prior contractual commitments.
• Payment will be made to the director's opco, which will receive guaranteed compensation on a flat fee basis, plus deferred compensation (a percentage of the director's wages), and contingent compensation (a percentages of net profits of the picture, if any).
• The producer is not obligated to use the director's services in connection with the picture, or even to release or distribute the picture, but is obligated to pay the full amount of the guaranteed compensation regardless.
• Credit will be accorded to the director in accordance with the requirements of the DGA Basic Agreement.
• The template also includes a Letter of Inducement from the director, making certain representations about his/her relationship to the opco and indemnifying the producer against any claims or amounts arising from the director's work on the picture.
• The Director Loan-Out Agreement for DGA Members can be used for both U.S. and Canadian film projects.

This Definition of Gross Receipts After Breakeven is a schedule that can be attached to a film distribution agreement.

• The schedule clarifies how breakeven points, receipts, distribution fees and expenses, film rentals, and other revenues and costs will be treated and applied.
• Foreign receipts are not included in gross receipts until the sums have been received in US dollars or used by the studio for production or acquisition of films or property which can be legally exported from the country of origin.
• The studio has complete authority to distribute and license exhibition of the Picture.
• Participants have no right, title or interest in the motion picture, and no lien rights on the gross receipts or net profits.
• The Definition of Gross Receipts After Breakeven template is a downloadable and customizable schedule you can use with your film distribution agreements.

Film producers, secure payment of the amounts owed to you by the distributors of your motion picture with this Film Distribution Security Agreement.

• The distributor grants the producer a continuing security interest in the debtor's distribution and exploitation rights in the picture, and the proceeds realized from those rights.
• The producer may exercise its security interest if the distributor fails to pay any amount owing under the Motion Picture Theatrical Distribution Agreement between the parties.
• This is a totally editable legal form template, so you can customize it for your specific needs.

Don't take the risk of not getting paid. Make it a requirement that your distributors sign the Security Agreement at the same time they sign the Film Distribution Agreement.

Do you need extras and background performers for your film or television production? Sign them up with this standard Film Extras Employment Agreement.

• The performer will not be paid additional wages for weekends, overtime or holidays.
• The performer will get regular meal breaks and food services.
• Screen credit will be at the producer's discretion.
• The contract includes an immigration verification employment eligibility clause for USA contracts.
• The parties agree to have any disputes handled in accordance with AFMA arbitration rules.
• The form includes a Release Form authorizing the producer to use the performer's name and likeness, and confirming that the performer's services were rendered as a work made for hire.
• You can customize the Film Extras Employment Agreement for each project and reuse it as often as needed.

This Film Festival Submission and Clearance Form should be completed and submitted by all filmmakers who want to enter their film in your event.

• The filmmaker retains full ownership of the film.
• The festival promoter has the right to screen the film and to use clips from the film for promotional purposes.
• The festival promoter may, at its option, include the film on a DVD release or as part of a broadcast of the festival series.
• The Film Festival Submission and Clearance Form is a downloadable digital template which can be edited, customized and used year after year.

Sign a contract with a property owner to use their home or land as a location in a motion picture with this Film Location Agreement.

• The owner of the property will permit the production company to use the property in connection with the production, exhibition, advertising and promotion of the film, in return for a per diem fee.
• The owner may also receive a screen credit, at the producer's discretion.
• The owner agrees that the production company may make alterations to the location as required, provided that they first obtain the owner's written permission.
• The owner indemnifies the production company and releases them from any liability, claims or demands.
• This template is available in MS Word format and is fully customizable so it can be used on multiple locations and on subsequent film projects.

Are you doing location filming? You need this Film Location Contact List.

• When on location, your crew needs a list of the property owners and other persons that would need to be contacted if there were any problems (lost keys, no access, damage to property, etc).
• Fill out the form with the relevant information for each person and provide copies to every department.
• The form is a MS Word template which can be filled in electronically or by hand.
• Reusable and customizable.