Understanding Your Short Film Production Agreement

Whenever you enter an agreement with a film production company, you’re stating that you understand and agree with the terms and conditions that are stipulated within the legally binding document. The typical short film production agreement includes pertinent information about your short film project. And the production services that you have requested from a production company like Team Beverly Boy. Understanding all of the important details that are included in the agreement.

Including the timelines and delivery dates, will be key as these details cannot be changed once the agreement is set.

What is a Short Film Production Agreement?

The short film production agreement, or short film services agreement, represents a legally binding contract that is entered between the production company and the individual or business entity that is ordering short film production services.

Because this agreement is entered between the two parties involved in the service contract. It is legally binding and therefore all of the important terms. And details should be carefully examined before signing.

Some Terms You Might See 

Before you sign your short film production agreement, make sure you are fully aware of what various terminology might be included. And what it means if you see it in your contract.

If you have questions, ask the production company to clarify or seek legal counsel. To ensure you fully agree with the contract before you sign.

The following terms are sometimes included in a short film production agreement:

• Additional Shooting – this would mean any additional filming that takes place above and beyond what is agreed upon upfront. It may include background footage, filming backstage, or filming during rehearsal.
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• Additional Post-Production – this would include any hours of post-production work that take place above and beyond the agreed upon work. Any additional work should be discussed with the signatory party before it takes place. So as to approve for an increase in budget.
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• Treatment – this is the document which outlines the style, tone, look and feel of the film. The shoot duration and camera angles, the camera movements and other details.
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• Budget – this would be the budget that you agree to ahead of time. Any additional budget details, or add-ons, would come up later and should be under discussion prior to approval.
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• Transfer of Rights – this means that when the work is completed, the production company will transfer all rights to the finished work back to you, the purchaser.

Understanding Short Film Production Agreement Details

You’re going to see a lot of different details included in your short film production agreement. Everything from who’s involved in the production to where the production will take place and how long the shoot.

As well as post-production editing will be should be included in your short film production agreement or services contract. 

You should make sure you are fully aware of the details included in the following sections specifically:

• The budget section. Make sure that you know whether the production company will adhere to the budget and what happens if they go over budget? Will they request approval first? What’s the process?
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• Fees and the schedule of payments. Make sure you understand how fees are incurred and when and how payments for those fees should be made. What happens if you are late with a payment? Who do you make the payment to? Will the production company manage payroll for all contactors and other crew members involved?
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• Script details and adherence. Make sure you know whether the production company will adhere to the original provided script. Or if they will make changes. If changes are made, will they communicate with you first?
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• Approvals of final work. Make sure you are aware of the approval process. How long do you have to approve work? What happens if you miss a deadline? Who do you send your approvals or feedback to?

Work for Hire

It’s also important to be sure that the short film production agreement you sign specifically says that the work being provided by the film production company is a “work for hire”. And that you are paying for the work.

In exchange for the rights to all ownership and copyright to the finished work. It’s very important. Especially when you hire a contractor such as a production company that is NOT your employee, that the work for hire clause is included.

Without the work for hire clause there is great risk that the work completed could be copyrighted by someone else. And that other legal aspects related to challenging the rights to the work could arise.

Do I Have to Have a Short Film Production Agreement?

If you’re ordering the services of a production company that will provide pertinent support for your short film project? You’re going to want to have a contract which outlines the services to be provided. As well as the details of when these services will be completed.

In addition to how they will be completed and by whom. The short film production agreement will outline all of the pertinent information required for you to not only know what’s going on with your project at any given time.

But so that you can be prepared for things like payments, budget concerns, additional expenses, and approvals.

Consider This

If you’re thinking, “it’s only a 30-second commercial” or “it’s only a 2-minute film” why would I need a short film production agreement, you need to consider the legal aspects of this.

Legally, without this agreement you run the risk of a lot of problems. Particularly with things like missed deadlines, your project potentially going over budget, or various other issues.

While it is not “required” a short film production agreement sets forth all of the important terms and conditions of the short film production project that you’re requesting a film production company be involved in.

It is highly recommended that you not only have the short film production agreement in hand. But that you read and understand all of the details of the agreement before you sign.

The Takeaway

Without this agreement, if you have problems with things. Like a project not being completed on time. Or approvals not going as planned. Or other needs you’ll have little recourse.

It’s hard to fight a legal battle without the proper documentation. To prove that you acted diligently to protect yourself in the first place. Thus, if you’re going to order services from any production company? A short film production agreement is very important.

And the production company is almost certain to provide it for you. All you have to do is make sure that you understand the terms. And that you only sign the agreement upon all elements of the contract. Written in a way that you agree with and fully understand.