Cast and Crew Contracts

Write up the terms on which a performer will be hired for a motion picture with this USA Actor Deal Memo.

• The contract contains provisions for both SAG and non-union performers. Just choose the appropriate clauses for your project.
• The wardrobe clause states that the actor will provide all wardrobe items, other than period costumes or specialty items which will be provided by the producer. You can amend this provision to fit the circumstances.
• The producer has exclusive right to use the actor's name and likeness in connection with the picture. The producer will also have all merchandising rights, and will pay the actor a pro rata share of the gross revenues (less distribution fees) derived from the use of the actor's name or likeness in connection with merchandising.
• The contract contains two dispute resolution clauses, one for SAG actors and one for non-union actors.
• The contract also contains an employment eligibility requirement, in accordance with US immigration laws.
• The performer gives the producer the right to make deductions from the performer's pay and remit them to the Motion Picture and Television Relief Fund.
• Available in MS Word format, fully customizable and reusable.

Hire a non-union day player for a film or television production with this Actor Employment Agreement.

• The actor will provide his/her own wardrobe, except for period costumes or specialty items which will be provided by the production company.
• The film's producer represents that it is not a party to any Screen Actors Guild collective bargaining agreement, and the performer warrants that he/she is not a member of any union or guild which would prevent the performer from working on the picture.
• The actor gives the producer the exclusive right to use the actor's name and likeness in connection with the picture. The producer will also hold all merchandising rights, and will pay the actor a pro rata share of the gross revenues derived from the use of the actor's name or likeness in connection with merchandising.
• The contract includes an employment eligibility clause as required by U.S. laws, which can be deleted for Canadian film productions.
• The Actor Employment Agreement for Non-Union Day Performers is a fully customizable template. You can use it in both the United States and in Canada.

Hire an actor on a loan-out basis with this USA Actor Loan Out Agreement for SAG Members.

• The performer will provide his/her services during principal photography, as well as pre-production (rehearsals, production meetings, etc.) and post-production services (reshoots, ADR, etc.).
• The actor will be paid a weekly rate for the services rendered, and a portion of the net profits of the picture as deferred compensation.
• The relationship between the actor and the producer is not that of employee and employer. The actor is an employee of his/her loan-out corporation, and not the producer. The corporation is responsible for withholding and/or paying all amounts required to be paid with respect to the actor's employment and compensation.
• The actor will be provided with transportation, a vehicle, an expense allowance, living accommodation, and dressing room facilities.
• The actor will get screen credit and credit in paid advertising for the motion picture.
• The actor agrees not to do anything that is prohibited under any policy of insurance covering the actor that is obtained by the producer.
• The file includes a Letter of Inducement from the performer, which makes representations about the performer's relationship to the loan-out corporation, and indemnifies the producer against any claims resulting from the performer's work on the picture.
• You can customize the USA Actor Loan Out Agreement for SAG Members, and re-use it on future film projects. Download your copy now.

Hire animals to perform in a movie or television production with this Animal Performer Agreement.

• The contract can be used to acquire the services of horses, dogs, cats, birds, or any other animal performers required by the script.
• The animal's owner will have the animals available on the shooting dates and at the location(s) specified.
• The animals will be accompanied at all times by an experienced trainer / handler.
• The owner will ensure that the animals are kept safe and secure, and that they do not at any time pose a threat to persons or other animals, both on and off the set.
• The owner must ensure that all rules and guidelines of the SPCA are followed, and that all laws and regulations governing animal safety are obeyed, to ensure the animals' safety and well being.
• This Animal Performer Agreement template is available in MS Word format.

When crewing up for a shoot in Canada, get each crew member you hire to provide this Residency Declaration for Film Employee, for tax purposes.

• This is a free form required by Canada Revenue Agency.
• All employees and contractors hired for the production must fill out the form.
• The employee states that he or she is a resident of Canada.
• The employee must also provide other information required for tax records.

The Canada Residency Declaration for Film Employee is a free MS Word template that can be filled in on a computer or by hand.

Sign up a casting director for your next motion picture production with this Casting Director Services Agreement.

• The casting director is retained on an independent contractor basis, and is not being hired as an employee.
• The film's producer will own all rights to the results and proceeds of the casting director's services with respect to the motion picture, and will have an exclusive perpetual right to use the same.
• The casting director will be entitled to screen credit.
• The casting director is responsible for preparing the actors' deal memos but will not be responsible for preparing the employment contracts.
• The producer has final approval over any cast deals which involve overscale pay, main title credits, or additional compensation.
• The casting director will be provided with suitable office space and will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, excluding any travel expenses.
• The parties agree to submit any disputes to binding AFMA arbitration.

You can pay a lawyer hundreds of dollars to prepare the same legal contract. Or you can purchase this Casting Director Services Agreement template and do it yourself.

Prepare a Crew Deal Memo for a film or television production in Canada with this fully editable template.

• The crew member's employment is to be exclusive to the production.
• The production company follows a strict nondiscrimination policy in hiring.
• Provisions for kit rentals.
• Provision for car payments if the employee / contractor is using their own vehicle.
• The producer is not liable for theft or loss of the employee's equipment unless it is covered by the producer's insurance under a rental agreement.
• The employee waives his/her moral rights under the Copyright Act and grants the producer the right to use the employee's name and likeness for press kits and promotional materials.
• Drug or alcohol use at work is grounds for immediate dismissal.
• The producer has sole discretion as to whether the crew member receives a screen credit.
• This is a downloadable form that is easy to customize.
• Intended for use in Canada.

Hire a director for a non-union motion picture production with this Director Employment Agreement.

• This is a non-union contract but the parties intend the DGA credit rules to apply.
• The director will furnish pre-production, production and post-production services as required for the film, including editing, reshoots and additional photography, soundtrack, etc. (subject to prior contractual commitments).
• The director's compensation will consist of fixed flat fee compensation, plus deferred and contingent compensation.
• The producer has the right to suspend or terminate the agreement if the director becomes incapacitated or is in default of his/her obligations.
• If the producer becomes a DGA signatory, the Directors' Guild of America Basic Agreement will govern if there is a conflict between its terms and the terms of the Employment Agreement.
• You can tailor the non-union Director Employment Agreement for your specific needs, and use it as often as you like.

Obtain the services of a director for a feature film on a loan-out basis with this Director Loan-Out Agreement for DGA members.

• The director's services are being "loaned" to the producers of the movie through his/her own operating company. The Loan-Out Agreement sets out the terms on which those services will be provided.
• The Agreement is controlled by the terms of the Directors Guild of America Basic Agreement.
• The director will provide exclusive services for pre-production, principal photography and post-production, plus additional post-production services as required for the film and on a first-call basis, subject to the director's prior contractual commitments.
• Payment will be made to the director's opco, which will receive guaranteed compensation on a flat fee basis, plus deferred compensation (a percentage of the director's wages), and contingent compensation (a percentages of net profits of the picture, if any).
• The producer is not obligated to use the director's services in connection with the picture, or even to release or distribute the picture, but is obligated to pay the full amount of the guaranteed compensation regardless.
• Credit will be accorded to the director in accordance with the requirements of the DGA Basic Agreement.
• The template also includes a Letter of Inducement from the director, making certain representations about his/her relationship to the opco and indemnifying the producer against any claims or amounts arising from the director's work on the picture.
• The Director Loan-Out Agreement for DGA Members can be used for both U.S. and Canadian film projects.

Write a deal memo for the director of photography on a film production with this customizable template. Terms of the Deal Memo include:

• If additional photography is required after shooting wraps in order to complete production of the picture, the DP will be given the first opportunity to perform the additional work.
• The DP will have final approval in the selection, hiring and termination of his/her crew, but the DP and the producer must mutually approve the grip, electric, and camera department.
• The DP can request specific crew, but if they fail to work under the producer's terms and conditions, the producer can terminate them at its discretion.
• The Director of Photography's services will be considered a work made for hire and the producer will be considered the author and will have full ownership rights to the work.
• The DP will be entitled to screen credit in the main titles or end titles (as applicable), as well as credit in paid advertising and one-sheet posters, whenever credit is accorded to the editor, production designer and costume designer.
• The DP will have access to the finished picture on a master format when it becomes available.
• Buy a copy of this Director of Photography Deal Memo template and save hundreds in legal fees.