Return to site

[Filmmaking] Crew Agreements in Productions

- For below-the-line staff members

· Entertainment Law,Startup,Contract,Film and Television,Music Law

In producing films, televisions and musical recordings, crew agreements are frequently used between the production companies and the below-the-line staff members.

Examples of below-the-line staff members:

  • Director of Photography
  • Video/Music Editor
  • Television Casting Director
  • Featured Film Composer
  • Post-Production Editor

In drafting such crew agreements, I notice a few key elements that ultimately construe a deal. These elements include professional union applicability, payment schedule, overage rate, expenses, insurance requirement, intellectual property ownership, confidentiality, non-compete clause, etc. Here, I would like to talk about a few elements that are easily overlooked by the contracting parties, which however, play important roles in day-to-day business operations.

Accreditation

Hired staff members are usually independent contractors and their works, under most contracts, are entirely owned by the production company. There is a common clarification based on the term “works-made-for-hire” in such contracts. That being said, it would be a separate conversation to credit the staff member as the editor, director, designer, or writer (the list goes on..) in the final product. For example, an illustrator’s work, including all copyright therein, can be entirely owned by a production company. Nevertheless, the production company can agree to accredit the illustrator with the “Illustrated by [YOUR NAME]” credit on the project. When negotiating accreditation among the parties, all parties should also consider future credit in the derivative works. A writer for a novel is not necessarily a writer for the adapted screenplay based on the same.

Limitation of Remedy

When finalizing a production deal, it is not pleasant to think about the possible disputes and lawsuits if something goes wrong in the project. Alas, things do go wrong in life. Sometimes, low budget productions would prefer a binding arbitration clause in a chosen location, to prevent court litigation proceedings once for all. On the other hand, if the production is insured with an Error & Omission policy, the production would (potentially) be able to recover more in a civil court. Another important element is the availability of equitable relief, a.k.a., injunctive relief. When injunctive relief is not excluded from the contract, the (alleged) damaged party can (potentially) delay or even shut down the production.

Seats in the Premiere

When a staff member signs a crew agreement with the production, it is difficult to cover all details in future events. One detail in film/television productions, which I find interesting to discuss, is whether to invite a specific staff member to the film/television premiere. Above-the-line members, such as the director, lead actor and producer, are naturally guaranteed with seats in the premiere. In the same time, it is unclear for other important below-the-line staff members, such as director of photography, editor and assistant director, in terms of the all-expenses-paid invitations to a premiere, sometimes takes place in a different continent. So, for crew members, if you want a seat in the premiere with travel expenses reimbursed, better put all of that in the crew agreement in the first place.

 

Sincerely yours,

Silvia Sun, Esq.

Copyright © 2020, Xiaoyun Sun for discoveries site

All rights reserved. Any reproduction of any content of this site is prohibited.

Disclaimers: This content is provided for informational purposes only; it is not legal advice and may not be relied upon as such. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on our website and will not be liable for any errors or omissions in them for delays in publication of information, or for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the display or use for any other reason whatsoever. No endorsement of any product or service mentioned on our website is expressed or implied. All information is provided on an as-is basis. Linked resources are beyond the control of us, and we shall have no responsibility whatsoever for the acts or omissions of such third parties. Comments are solely the work of their authors and as such do not necessarily reflect the views of us or our employees. Neither the use of content provided on our website nor the submission of any information through our website creates an attorney-client relationship between you and us. Please be aware that any information that you provide through this website is not secure and it is not privileged or confidential. In fact, by posting you intend that your comment be displayed so that others can read it and comment on it. We reserves the right to edit submissions for any reason in its sole discretion.