Starting fresh

[Elias Tejeda]

With my recent Raven purchase it dawned on me how long it's been since I've been in the game

The past few years I've been dealing with things on the personal front that made me take a step back from shooting.

Yes, some of this is pretty back to basics, so bare with me.

I'm back on track to get going with DP work but have some questions as far as contracts and obligations.
Most of my gigs before were direct-to-client stuff where only the final edited product was needed to be delivered to client.
Any strictly DP gigs were usually either personal projects to market for D2C work or stuff I'd shot for friends.

My question to you guys is how are handling all the business side of things as far as contracts and expectations?
Things like handing over footage and the rights of use as well.

I've always been more focused on the actual craft and making great content that i'd overlooked some of the DP office duty things

 

[Marc Wielage]

I have often said, "the worst thing about show business is the business." Coming up with fair contracts that protect both the filmmaker and the client are very tricky, particularly in terms of copyright and payment and delivery dates and QC and all that stuff.

You can get some ideas on different contracts out there (particularly for camera operators, cinematographers, sound people, and post people) at these links:

http://www.filmcontracts.net/
https://www.filmsourcing.com/
http://www.sonnyboo.com/downloads/downloads.htm
https://www.studiobinder.com/

I have seen some pretty onerous contracts before that I was not willing to sign, including some that built in long delays for payment or left me responsible for losses or damage. Uh-uh, homey don't pay dat. I think keeping the contract very simple but making it clear what you're willing to do and where the limits are is a very good start.

 

[Elias Tejeda]

This is actually something I'd been researching since I've never really done contracts.

Only a handful of times in video/filmmaking and one time back when I was still shooting stills (in this case, promo material a redbull event)

I've turned down a few for the same reasons; nothing for me and all for them. nope nope