Film and TV Contracts

Indie filmmakers can track their daily shooting schedule with this downloadable template for film and television productions.

• The schedule sheet breaks down each day's shooting by:
  • scene numbers, day/night, interior/exterior, location and action shot,
  • page numbers and total pages shot,
  • cast, extras, animals,
  • props, set dressing, special equipment, vehicles,
  • sound, camera, additional labor,
  • costumes, makeup,
  • visual and special effects,
  • video and music playback.
• Available as a customizable and reusable MS Word template.

Set up a joint venture to develop and produce an original motion picture with this Film Project Joint Venture Agreement template.

• Ownership of all property, assets and intangibles such as rights in the screenplay, the picture, merchandising, and publishing rights will be held by the joint venture.
• The joint venturers will contribute capital and services to the joint venture as required to complete the project.
• Net profits or losses generated by the motion picture will be allocated among the joint venturers in proportion to their capital contributions. Tax credits and deductions will be allocated equally.
• The joint venturers will have equal control and authority over all decisions and matters concerning the joint venture and the development and production of the film project.
• Each of the joint venturers are entitled to a screen credit as producers of the film.
• The joint venturers will not be required to devote their time exclusively to the film project, provided that they devote as much time as is required to fulfill their obligations to the joint venture.
• Upon the death, incapacity or disability of a joint venturer, then (subject to tax consequences) the joint venture will continue as a limited partnership with the successor-in-interest of the deceased or disabled joint venturer as a limited partner. The limited partner will not be entitled to vote or participate in partnership business, but must give consent to the disposition of the joint venture's property.
• You can easily tailor this Film Project Joint Venture Agreement to fit your unique circumstances. Buy and download the digital template, use it as often as you require.

Dissolve and terminate a joint venture which was set up to produce a motion picture with this Film Project Joint Venture Dissolution Agreement.

• The property of the joint venture will be liquidated and the proceeds applied to payment of outstanding debts and expenses.
• Any remaining balance will be allocated among the co-venturers in proportion to their capital contributions.
• Copyright in the screenplay and the motion picture produced by the joint venture will be held and owned jointly by the co-venturers.
• All revenues received from the picture, including merchandising and spin-off rights, will be shared equally by the co-venturers.
• If a co-venturer wishes to sell its copyright interest, the other co-venturer will have a first right of refusal to acquire the interest.
• If a co-venturer wishes to use the screenplay in connection with another project, the other co-venturer will be given an opportunity to participate.

Once all the purposes of the joint venture are fulfilled, it's time to close out the JV. Have all of the parties sign this Film Project Joint Venture Dissolution Agreement to make it official.

Exercise your option to acquire the rights to an original screenplay with this Film Rights Acquisition Agreement.

• The option is being exercised by the film producer under the terms of a prior Option Agreement between the screenplay owner and the film producer.
• The screenplay owner grants the producer the right to produce a motion picture, adapt the work for the screen, record a sound track, assign or license the rights, exercise distribution rights, and make prequels and/or sequels using the same characters.
• The producer also has the right to register worldwide copyright with respect to all motion pictures and products created from the screenplay.
• The screenplay owner will receive payment of the exercise price and a percentage of net receipts as a royalty.
• If principal photography on a film treatment has not commenced within 5 years of the date of the Agreement, the owner has the right to re-acquire the rights to the screenplay (a right of reversion).
• The owner waives all moral rights in the screenplay.
• The owner will receive an author credit on every copy of the film and in all publicity and advertising.
• This is a downloadable and customizable digital document in MS Word format.

Sign a well-known composer to write and arrange a musical score for your next film project with this Film Score Composer Agreement.

• The composer is hired as an independent contractor on a creative fee basis.
• The film producer will pay for all production and recording costs.
• The producer will own all worldwide master rights to the music used in the film.
• The composer will receive a royalty on sales of printed sheet music, sound track albums, synchronization licenses, etc.
• Available as a fully editable MS Word document.
• A composer with a recognized name brings cachet to your film. It's worth extra consideration and compromises. That's the intent of this agreement.
• This is a generic contract template that can be used in many countries.

Hire a composer to write and arrange a musical score for a motion picture under the terms of this Film Score Composer Agreement.

• The work will be deemed a work for hire. The composer will write, arrange, record, conduct, prepare and produce the film score as an employee-for-hire.
• The score, recordings, copyrights and intellectual property rights will be the property of the producer.
• The composer will receive 100% of the writer's share of performance royalties for the musical score.
• The template includes a schedule which explains the method of calculating gross receipts ⁄ royalties payable to the composer in the event of a recording contract for the score.
• You can customize the Film Score Composer Agreement and use it on subsequent film projects. Once you download it, you own it.

Write up a set of standard operating procedures for a film production using this customizable template which covers procedures for:

• approvals;
• day calls;
• overtime and upgrades;
• daily production reports;
• purchases and purchase orders;
• petty cash and check requisitions;
• payroll and time sheets;
• personal vehicle and box / kit rentals;
• recoverable assets;
• promotions;
• per diem and incidentals on out-of-town locations;
• traffic accidents and tickets;
• cell phones;
• office supplies and furniture;
• safety and personal injury;
• production loss or damage;
• lost or stolen property.

Available as a fully customizable MS Word template. Get your copy today.

Prepare a financial plan for a film project with this customizable downloadable template.

• The Financial Plan template discloses information about the film production, including:
  • a summary of the script,
  • an overview of the nature of the project, shooting schedule, post-production, and planned release dates;
  • information about the producers, the distributors and international sales agent;
  • a list of key creative personnel (director, screenwriter, editor, performers, composer, etc.);
  • budget and financing information as of the date of the plan, listing sources of support and amounts or percentages.
• You'll have to convince your potential investors that your project is a winner. This template Film Production Financial Plan can help you put together a winning proposal.
• Available as a fully editable MS Word template.

Indie filmmakers can hire an agent to help find funding for their motion picture projects with this Finder's Fee Agreement to Obtain Film Financing.

• The agent will use best efforts to introduce the producer to parties interested in investing in or lending money for the development of the motion picture project.
• The agent's services are limited to identifying prospective investors or lenders, and do not include negotiating or providing advice.
• If the producer enters into an agreement with any potential investor introduced by the agent within 2 years of the Agreement, the agent will be paid a finder's fee.
• The finder's fee is based on the amount of funds raised. The more funds raised, the higher the percentage paid to the agent as a finder's fee.
• If the agent obtains 90% or more of the total financing necessary, the agent will get an executive producer credit.
• The agent agrees not to offer or sell any securities in connection with the financing, including stocks, partnership units, etc.
• The producer agrees to keep confidential and not disclose any information it receives from the agent about any potential investor.
• The producer indemnifies and holds the agent harmless against any claims, damages, liabilities or loss.
• As a filmmaker, you know how difficult it is to find investors. Buy the Finder's Fee Agreement template, sign up an agent and let the agent identify funding sources for you, so you can concentrate on making your movie.

For novices in the film and television industry, the roles of the various departments and people involved in movie / TV production can be confusing. This free guide explains the role of each member of the production team, including:

• The key creative team (producer, director, screenwriter).
• The production department (executive producer, line producer, production manager, etc).
• The script department (story producer, script editor, script co-ordinator).
• The location department (location manager, location assistant, scout).
• The camera department (DP/cinematographer, camera operator, 1st assistant camera operator, etc).
• The sound department (sound recordist, boom operator).
• The grip department (key grip, best boy, dolly grip).
• The electrical department (gaffer, best boy, lighting technician).
• The art department (production designer, art director, set designer, props master, etc).
• The hair and make-up department (make-up artist, hairdresser).
• The wardrobe department (costume designer, costume supervisor, costume standby, etc).
• Post-production (film editor, assistant editor, colorist, etc).
• Visual effects (FX supervisor, compositor, roto artist, etc).
• Post-production sound and music (sound designer, dialogue editor, sound editor, etc).
• Other production crew (casting director, storyboard artist, caterers, etc).
• Interactive media (producer, designer, developer, etc).

The free Guide to Film & TV Production Department Roles is a valuable learning tool for anyone just starting out in the movie business. Download your copy now.