What to Expect with Reality TV Production Agreements and Contracts
Producing a reality TV show or series is bound to bring up a host of different agreements. And contracts that will have to be negotiated and finalized before the film can be distributed. In fact, many reality TV production agreements and contracts must be negotiated and signed prior to the film initiating production. If you’re thinking about producing a reality TV show or series, you’re going to want to familiarize yourself with the various types of contracts and agreements involved.
Talent Release Forms and Appearance Consent
Talent release forms are going to be integral to your project. You’ll need a signed contract from anyone that you include in your film. The appearance consent form will provide consent for the performer to be filmed.
And the release form provides the filmmaker with the right to use the filmed footage in their finished product. If you don’t have talent release forms you run the risk of not being able to distribute your reality television show.
And if you do, you might face a lawsuit from the performer later on.
Location Agreements & Release Forms
Your reality TV production agreements should also include a location based documentation that proves you have the right to film at a location as well as to include footage relative to a location in your film.
Signed location agreements, and location release forms, for your reality TV production are important. Make sure that the location owner has signed the release form and that all pertinent details regarding your use of the location are included.
Product Release Forms
Are you going to include products and their packaging in your reality television series? If so, you’re going to need to include product release forms in your reality TV production agreements and contracts list.
Product release forms are going to provide you with documented proof that you have obtained the permission to include products and product logos in your film production.
Reality TV Production Collaboration Agreement
Moreover, are you working with others on the screenplay for your reality tv show? You’re going to need reality TV production collaboration agreements that have been negotiated and signed by anyone that you’re working in conjunction with on the project.
This includes collaboration agreements between the writers of the screenplay. As well as collaboration agreements for other areas of the production where multiple parties work together such as editing.
Work for Hire Contracts
The work for hire contract is one of several reality TV production agreements that will be necessary for many of the employees involved. The work for hire agreement represents a unique contract that legally provides the rights to copyright to the filmmaker.
When a worker is hired to produce work under a work for hire contract they are giving away their rights to the copyright when the work is complete and typically those rights remain with the film producer.
Non-Disclosure Agreements
Finally, non-disclosure agreements are likely to come up. As part of the various reality TV production agreements involved in producing a television series. The non-disclosure agreement is especially important if you’re discussing a reality television show with someone.
Before you’ve had the ability to properly copyright the production or otherwise protect the literary work. If you’re not familiar with the non-disclosure agreement?
It’s important to look into this VERY early on. As it’s one of the most valuable reality TV production agreements that will come into play during film development before pre-production even takes place.
