Being able to create a business out of your passion as a videographer is so exciting, but if you're anything like me, you want to ensure your videography business is protected, so you can keep doing what you love and make money. As a lawyer myself who drafts videography contracts for videographers like you, I am giving you all the essentials you need in your videography contract template.
You will learn about the crucial terms a videography contract template must have, which you can use in your template (even if you are grabbing a photography and videography contract pdf from Google or a video production contract template free of charge somewhere else).
After learning all about everything you need for your videographer contract template, you will be able to protect your creativity, your energy and your money!
This post is all about the fundamental terms every videography contract template must have to protect your rights and yourself.
Your videography contract template should be comprehensive and cover all the essential details so there are no misunderstandings or disagreements later on. So, I have made a detailed list of all the fundamentals your videography contract template needs below.
1. Scope of Work
First and foremost, you want to ensure that your client is aware of their and your responsibilities, obligations, and rights.
The scope of work is a crucial part of your videographer contract template that outlines the type of videography services you offer. It should clearly state the specifics of the project, including the location, duration, and a detailed description of what you are going to film. In addition, this section should include the type of video you will create, such as a promotional video, event video, or documentary. It should also specify the number of videos you will produce, the length of each video, and the format of the video.
2. Deliverables
The deliverables section of your videographer contract template should outline what your client will receive at the end of the project. This section should specify the number of videos to be delivered, the (maximum) length of each video and the format of the video. It should also specify if and, if so, what kind of editing you will provide; will you use a particular filter, add text or special effects, and/or include subtitles? If you provide for such editing, specify the number of revisions allowed for the agreed price and any additional fees you will charge for revisions beyond the agreed number of revision rounds (if you choose to agree to any additional revision rounds).
3. Process & timeline
Now you have specified the scope of work and the deliverables in your videographer contract template; you need to specify the process and timeline for the project. For the filming itself, you need to specify the date(s) and location(s), and, if applicable, who and what needs to be at that location at that time and who is responsible for arranging that.
You need to specify by which date the (first version of) the video(s) must be delivered to your client.
Have you agreed on revision rounds? Then specify the exact date by which your client must provide feedback if your client wishes to have revisions made. Then, specify the number of days after that date within which you must deliver the revised video(s). And, if multiple revision rounds are agreed upon, specify the number of days after the delivery of each revised video the client must provide feedback. Then, again, specify the number of days after that feedback you must provide a revised video by.
Also, specify what happens if your client misses these deadlines. Is a draft considered accepted if the client does not respond by the agreed deadline? Make sure to include that you do not provide any form of compensation for damages or otherwise if you miss a deadline to avoid disputes.
4. Cancellation and Postponement
Not only should you specify what happens if deadlines are missed, but your videographer contract template should also outline what happens if you or your client cancels or postpones the project or parts of the project. It should specify the notice period required to cancel or postpone the project and any penalties or fees for cancellation or postponement. This section should also outline what happens if the project is postponed or cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances beyond anyone's control (also called "force majeure"), such as accidents, weather conditions, or illness.
5. Copyright and Usage Rights
Now that you have set out all the terms in your videographer contract template about the process of making a video, you need to specify who owns the video and how you and the client may use it. We are talking about copyrights and usage rights. The copyright and usage rights section of your videographer contract template should specify whether you or the client owns the copyright to the video. It should also specify how the video can be used by the person who is not the owner of the copyrights (the usage rights), including whether the video can be used for commercial purposes or not. If you own the copyrights to the video, your videographer contract template should specify how, where and for how long the client can use the video.
6. Payment
The payment section of your videographer contract template should clearly define the payment terms, including the payment schedule, payment method, and payment amount.
Depending on the ownership and use of the intellectual property rights stipulated in the contract, you may also want different pricing structures in your videographer contract template. If you are giving the client full ownership, then a simple fixed fee will suffice. But, if you remain the owner and are only giving your client usage rights, you may want to include periodic payments.
It should also specify what costs and expenses you must incur for the project are included in the project fee, preferably broken down into specific amounts per expense so that no disagreements may arrive about the actual costs with your client. Your videography contract should also state what happens in case of additional expenses that are not part of the original agreement.
7. Liability and Indemnification
You want to ensure you get paid, but you also want to keep your hard-earned money. The liability and indemnification section of the contract should outline your client's responsibilities in case of any loss, damage, or injury caused during the project. It should also limit and exclude, as far as permitted under applicable law, your liability for any damages to your client.
Your videographer contract template should also include indemnities under which your client holds you harmless for any damages and costs due to, for example, songs or audio used in the video (at your client's request) that infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties. Or, if persons are being filmed, an indemnity for infringements of their intellectual property rights and privacy or publicity rights.
This is exactly what a videography contract is for; protecting your creativity and hard-earned money!
Are you in need of a videographer contract template? My template includes all the fundamentals I discussed in the blog post (and more) for your videography business.
You can get your videographer contract template on this page of my contract shop !
You can use my videographer contract template for the following:
If you don't want to purchase a videographer contract template, and would rather grab a photography and videography contract pdf from Google or a video production contract template free of charge, then you can use the overview in this blog post to ensure that your free template includes all the essentials so you have the rights and protections you need!
Are you a content creator creating digital content for a brand's social media or YouTube channel? Then read this blog post on the 7 Key Terms Every Content Creator Contract Must Have for Content Creators and Brands .
If you are a content creator or UGC creator, then you need a content creator agreement , which you can get on this page of my contract shop .
