First time filmmakers, producers and writers will find this independent producers guide an essential reference tool. This agreement is one of the contracts in the actors deal and directors deal. Debbie irwin is an nycbased awardwinning voiceover talent who has been the voice of the statue of liberty on the landmarks audio tour, major international museum audio tours, the voice of big. May 17, 2017 performers agreement, contract with actors for performing in your film. Second, you understanding of the definition of employee is simply legally incorrect. The distinction between employees and independent contractors is often very fact intensive. I agree to attend all rehearsals for which i am scheduled including all technical and dress rehearsals and all scheduled performances. This agreement is to be used by a producer to hire a screen actors guild actor to work on a motion picture through the actors loanout company. If you have a commission from a tv station or are making a fully funded feature film, you should seek to use the pact contracts producers association for cinema and television uk which are based on full equity fees and contain a great deal. Image and likeness is a legal shorthand for elements of an actors performance. Independent filmmaker contracts for film producers, directors, actors, investors and writers from script to sales the investorproducerwriter must protect herhis film, documentary, music video, stage project investment from concept to distribution with independentfilmmakercontracts. Making films with a very low budget or no budget at all is a challenge which faces lots of arts laws clients. Without a signed actor release form, you do not have the right to use an actor s image, voice, or performance, and you cant sell or distribute your film without those rights.
This agreement is for use in your state and is available for immediate download. These film contract templates will give you the framework of legal agreements from locations, crew, catering to distribution deals. And on an independent film, the actor should call sag to confirm that the producer really is a sag signatory. From script to sales the investorproducerwriter must protect. Independent filmmaker contracts for film producers, directors, actors, investors and writers from script to sales the investorproducerwriter must protect herhis film, documentary, music video, stage project investment from concept to distribution with. An actor release form is the legal agreement between you and the actor. I wish id taken elas producing course earlier, i would have avoided. Six stages of production legal in independent motion pictures. In witness whereof, the parties have executed this agreement on the day and year first above written. Mark litwak an invaluable collection of 80 sample entertainment contracts along with discussions of the terms and ideas contained therein. Actor release independent filmmaker contracts for film.
Since i am an independent filmmaker, not a production company, on the location. Filmmaker has asked producer to assist in obtaining presales other related duties on the feature. An independent film, independent movie, indie film or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies. Acting contracts may state that any potential legal disputes that arise between the actor and the employer should be resolved through arbitration rather than litigation. This agreement includes provisions regarding engagement, services, term, compensation, transportation and expenses, pre and postproduction services, and much more. The top 10 mistakes actors make when they sign a contract. The star system was the method of creating, promoting and exploiting stars in hollywood films. Weve also included a moodboard sheet for establishing the visual style of your film. The actors physical appearance you film or photograph. What voiceover artists need to know about contracts. The irs view is that most crew members, actors, and others working on a film production should be classified as employees, not independent contractors, and that taxes should thus be withheld. For films, contracts serves as protection of your film and are very much necessary to make no room for misinterpretation and miscommunication of the deal at every phase of the project from preproduction until the distribution.
April 15, 2015 by katherine imp there is this perception in the independent film community that working with sagaftra is either too expensive or there is. This is true whether the producer is making a short film, shooting wedding videos and commercials, or creating a larger feature film project involving hundreds of thousands of dollars, salaried employees, and a crew of independent contractors. Armed with this book, filmmakers can save thousands of dollars in legal fees. As a recovering film school alumn, i learned handson information on how to create my film right now. Agreement samples have to be set and established among your team, actors and crew long before the actual work begins. How hollywood insures against actors behaving badly. Sagaftra low budget agreements were created with input from filmmakers and actors to make it even easier for you to hire. Helpful links whether youre a filmmaker, an actor, or you just love indie movies, here are some great resources that will make you become the best filmmaker, actor, or indie movielover ever. Examples of stars who went through the star system include cary grant born archibald leach, joan crawford born lucille fay. Free employment contract create, download, and print. Sample employment contract for actor in a feature film. Do you hire an independent contractor or employee for.
What every independent film producer should know about sagaftra. Legally, this type of worker is defined as, a person or business who performs services for another person under an express or implied agreement and who is not subject to the others control, or right to control, the manner and means of performing the services. Clearly outline the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of both parties, and details such as compensation, probationary period, and more. A standard actor release form should cover most things that you might have. This is a sample contract for an actor and producer in a nonunion film. When making your own work means making an independent film or any project, for that matter the definition of who gets what profits is essential, whether there is money gushing in from a hit rare or whether there is money trickling in from a miss most. The numerous examples of typical legal agreements contained in the book are wide ranging. Sagaftra negotiates contracts that cover the work of media professionals in front of a camera or behind a microphone.
Contracts and resources for independent filmmakers sagindie. For a contract to be binding, there must be consideration, meaning that each party must derive some benefit from the deal eg. The project may be a film, music video, stage play, documentary, animationcartoon voiceover etc. Minor actormodel release independent filmmaker contracts. Arbitration is a faster and cheaper way of resolving legal disputes than traditional litigation. Film contracts and agreements protect the rights of your film and are necessary to avoid miscommunication and risk at every stage from preproduction to distribution. Free actor employment agreement nonunion low budget free download as word doc. Resources for film composers and music professionals. These arbitration clauses may or may not be enforceable depending on the situation. Create a free employment contract tailored to your state laws with our stepbystep questionnaire. Films are made with borrowed cameras, friends step in as actors and technicians, the script is a one page plot line that evolves as filming progresses, and often the only perk is a round of drinks at the local pub when its finally in the can. Some good questions today about independent film production, specifically involving actor agreements and distribution.
Film contracts and agreements to protect your film. This agreement is one of the contracts in the actor s deal and directors deal. This actor employment agreement is between a producer and an actor who will appear in a motion picture. A storyboard is a sequence of drawings that paint a picture of the your storyline, showing the structure of, and vision for, key scenes.
An actor can be an employee without being under a contract with a. Free actor employment agreement nonunion low budget. Actoractress talent agency agreement talent agreements. Movie studios would select promising young actors and glamorise and create personas for them, often inventing new names and even new backgrounds. Where a loanout company is involved, it, rather than the producer, is the employee, so no withholding is required of the producer. This agreement also contains provisions regarding actors salary and wardrobe and an agreement to allow hisher name and. This agreement sets forth the names of the parties, the effective date of the agreement, title of the motion picture and the actors role. Independent films are sometimes distinguishable by their content and style and the way in which the filmmakers personal artistic. This is a free form to be used between actors and producers on any media project, including television, movies, web, video, etc. I agree that it is my responsibility to know when and where rehearsals will take place by visiting virtualcallboard or by consulting the stage manager.
Your actors should sign all their contracts before production begins. The ability to protect your film with contracts between you, the crew, cast and suppliers is of utmost importance. Actor employment agreement low budget and student film. Every filmmaking form youll ever need in 99 free templates. A nice form for making your shotlist in an organized page setup. Screen actors guildamerican federation of television and radio artists hereinafter sagaftra has agreed, on a trial basis, to modify, to the extent herein set forth, certain terms and provisions of the current sagaftra agreement for independent producers of theatrical motion pictures hereinafter the. It transfers to you the rights to use any performance that was made in conjunction with your film. Storyboarding is a cornerstone of the filmmaking process. Contracts in the film and television industry, 3rd edition.
Screen what every independent film producer should know. Agreements need to be set in place with your production team, cast and crew. The second form of the agreement is the independent actor for pay. Below are links to contract information, rates, faqs and resources that help members and producers navigate the media and entertainment industries. The staple of indie film, deferred pay contracts for cast or crew when you are promsing money later.
The second form of the agreement is the independent minor actor for pay. These contracts are designed to be good enough for low budget filmmaking. This actor employment agreement for a low budget nonunion motion picture contains the specific arrangement between a producer and an actor. Generally, actors would be considered to be employees the company that hires them exercises a great deal of control over what they do. The unique way in which the actor interprets a role. Lets talk about the actor contract first, and then we can address your questions about distribution of independent films and what types of deals to expect. Sample employment contract for actor in a feature film legal. From general contracts and agreements to crew templates, many of these forms are. Agreements need to be set in place with your production team, cast and crew even from before principal photography begins. The complete guide to actor release forms free template. The first task of film production is to select and set up a business entity for the film. Independent filmmaker contracts for film producers, directors, actors, investors and writers.
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