While we’ve already talked about the different contracts and agreements that you’ll need to know about to protect your film, there are still more things that you need to know about when it comes to securing your intellectual property. We can’t stress enough how important it is that you are in the know when it comes to contracts for creators of all kinds. These agreements and contracts are crucial when it comes to protecting your work. Contracts for films, in particular, can be tricky as there are a number of contracts and agreements that you have to know about. To help simplify things, here’s a brief list of more essential contracts and agreements that will help you protect your film.
Crew Agreements
You can’t have a film without a crew. There are two types of crew members that work on movie sets: above-the-line and below-the-line.
Above-the-line crew members work on the aesthetics of the movie. People such as the director, producer, and cinematographer, are all considered to be above-the-line crew members. These crew members are paid a flat fee as stipulated by their employment agreements. Sometimes these agreements also include a provision to share in the profits of the film if it does well at the box office.
Below-the-line crew members deal with the hands-on and labor-intensive side of filmmaking. Individuals such as the lighting technicians, sound technicians, and script supervisors are all considered to be below-the-line crew members. Unlike above-the-line crew members, below-the-line crew members get paid hourly.
Cast Agreements
Cast agreements are necessary to hire actors for a film. These agreements vary wildly depending on whether or not the actor is a Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) member or not. SAG members have different contractual requirements and standards.
SAG actors’ contracts include the usual things such as compensation. However, one thing that makes them different is that actors under the guild protection are guaranteed a certain amount of compensation regardless of the actual hours they spend working on the film. The producer must also agree to pay all SAG contributions, such as the actors’ health and pension plans.
Non-SAG actors have less comprehensive contracts. Because these actors are not represented by a union like SAG, they enjoy relatively less protection. The contracts are relatively straightforward and only include things such as contact information, job obligation, terms of compensation, and other amenities provided to individual cast members, such as travel and accommodation expenses and reimbursement.
Location Agreement
Agreements for location cover how long the location will be used for and how much a location is leased. These agreements also include stipulations on rescheduling and reshooting in the case of unforeseen circumstances. Producers also include a disclaimer in the location agreement that states that all depictions of the location are fictional and do not represent a true representation of the actual location.
The Wrap
We hope this information proves to be useful when it comes to helping you best protect your intellectual property. While it may take some time to familiarize yourself with these agreements and contracts, it’s best to take this seriously. Having the right contracts and agreements in place can be the difference-maker when it comes to securing your film.
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