Script and Screenwriter Forms

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.

Prepare a Collaboration Agreement between two or more screenwriters with this downloadable template form from MegaDox.com.

Who are the parties to the Collaboration Agreement?

The Collaboration Agreement is between the screenwriters themselves and not with a production company. The agreement covers the relationship between the writers with respect to creation and protection of the script they are writing.

Key Provisions

• The work will be registered with the Writers Guild of America and the US Copyright Office (if applicable) as a joint work.
• If either party pulls out of the arrangement, the remaining party has the right to continue the work alone or collaborate with another writer.
• Neither party can sell or dispose of the work or their share in the work without the written consent of the other party.
• The template includes optional clauses which can be used if either party is represented by an agent. These provisions can be removed if not applicable.
• The parties agree to share the proceeds of any sale of the script.

Format and Legal Jurisdiction

This Screenwriter Collaboration Agreement is available in MS Word format. It is fully customizable and reusable, making it both flexible and cost-effective.

The template refers to United States laws, but it is an editable document and could be adapted for use in other countries.

Do you own the rights to a project being considered for production as a motion picture? Protect those rights with this Confidentiality Agreement for Film Project.

• The Agreement should be signed by any producer or filmmaker with whom you've been discussing the possibility of developing a project using your material.
• The producer agrees to keep all information strictly confidential and not disclose it to any third party.
• The producer will use the information solely for the purpose of evaluating whether to go ahead with a film treatment of the material, and will only disclose the information to individuals that you have approved in writing.
• The producer will indemnify you against any loss or disclosure, and from all actions, claims or costs arising out of any breach of the agreement by the producers.
• Don't risk having someone else use your ideas - get them to sign the Confidentiality Agreement form before you let them see your material.
• This is a MS Word template that can be re-used as often as you like.

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.

This Literary Acquisition Option and Purchase package contains the documents a film producer needs to acquire the rights to a published work from the writer.

Option Rights

The legal agreements and forms in this package give the film producer an exclusive and irrevocable option to purchase worldwide motion picture rights to the published work.

What is Included in the Option and Purchase Package

The package contains the following forms:

1. Option Agreement for Rights to Published Work,
2. Purchase Agreement for Rights to Published Work,
3. Short form Option Agreement form, for recording with the US Copyright Office,
4. Short form Copyright Assignment form, and
5. Quitclaim Release of Interest in Literary Property.

Format and Legal Jurisdiction

The Literary Acquisition Option and Purchase forms are provided in MS Word format and are easy to customize, to fit your specific needs.

These legal contracts and forms are written in accordance with U.S. laws and are intended for use only in the United States.

Prepare a professional agency contract for a client with this easy Literary Management Representation Agreement for screenwriters.

Relationship Between the Parties

The parties agree that the contract is between the screenwriter and the manager as individuals, and not with any firm, agency or other entity which may employ the manager in any capacity.

Compensation

The manager will be paid a percentage of all gross compensation paid to the screenwriter in relation to any work procured under the Agreement.

Manager's Rights

The manager has the right to produce and package any script by the screenwriter and is entitled to producer's fees and credits for production and distribution.

Using the Template

If you represent screenwriters, then this Literary Management Representation Agreement is an ideal template for you. You can personalize and customize the template to reflect your unique services, and re-use it as often as your business requires.

Legal Jurisdiction

This is a generic legal contract which is not country-specific and can be used almost anywhere.

Secure the worldwide rights to a person's biography for film, TV, book or other media with this Option Agreement for Rights to Life Story.

• Option to Renew. The option can be renewed for two additional terms after the initial term.
• Rights in Perpetuity. The person gives up his or her rights to their life story to the writer, even if the writer does not actually develop a project from the rights.
• Project Development. The writer will use best efforts to develop a project, but is under no obligation to do so.
• Compensation. The writer shall pay the person a specified amount for each project developed from the rights.

Don't lose an opportunity to get exclusive rights to a fascinating life story. Step 1: Buy the Option Agreement template. Step 2: Get it signed!

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. 

Transfer the ownership interest in a literary work from the writer to a film producer with this Quitclaim Release of Interest in Literary Property.

• The writer releases and quitclaims his/her interest in the property, including copyright or trademark interest, to the producer.
• Neither the producer or any person claiming through the producer will make any future claim with respect to the property.
• This form of Release is typically associated with an option or literary acquisition agreement to acquire the rights for a future movie or television production.
• The process of acquiring the rights to a literary property requires a good deal of paperwork. The Quitclaim Release of Interest form is part of that documentation.
• Available in MS Word format.

Are you an unpublished author trying to make your mark as a screenwriter?

• Before you submit your work to a producer, make sure it's properly formatted with this free template.
• This document sets out how the cover page should look, and shows how to format the actual script pages.
• The blank Screenplay Template and Cover Page sample is a free download in MS Word format. Grab a copy.