Script and Screenwriter Forms

You've commissioned an original screenplay from a writer. Now get the writer to sign this Certificate of Authorship. The screenwriter certifies that:

• The screenplay was written as a work made for hire commissioned by the producer, and that the producer is deemed to be the author of the work.
• The work is original and not in the public domain, has not been adapted and does not violate or infringe upon any other person's statutory or common law rights.
• The producer owns all right and title to the screenplay, and has the right to make any changes to the material, and the writer waives all moral rights.
• The writer will not make any claims or demands against any assignee or successor in interest of the producer.
• The writer will have no right to enjoin or restrain the distribution or exploitation of any motion picture or other material based on the screenplay.
• The Certificate of Authorship of Screenplay form is an important part of the documentation you need to establish your rights to the material. Download it for your production forms library.

Do you collaborate with other writers on screenplays or treatments? Put the terms of your relationship in writing with this USA Collaboration Agreement Between Screenwriters template.

• The agreement is between the writers themselves and not with a production company.
• The agreement covers the relationship between the writers with respect to creation and protection of the material.
• The work will be registered with the Writers Guild of America and the US Copyright Office (if applicable) as a joint work.
• If either writer pulls out of the arrangement, the remaining writer has the right to continue the work alone or in collaboration with another writer.
• Neither party can sell or dispose of the work or their share in the work without the written consent of the other party.
• Optional clauses to be used if either party is represented by an agent, which can be removed if not applicable.
• The parties will share the proceeds of any sale according to their percentage ownership in the work.
• The template refers to United States laws, but it is an editable document and could be adapted for use in other countries.
• Protect your rights in your work. Sign this USA Collaboration Agreement Between Screenwriters before you and your co-writer start work on the project.
• Available in MS Word format.

Do you own the rights to a project being considered for production as a motion picture? Protect those rights with this Confidentiality Agreement for Film Project.

• The Agreement should be signed by any producer or filmmaker with whom you've been discussing the possibility of developing a project using your material.
• The producer agrees to keep all information strictly confidential and not disclose it to any third party.
• The producer will use the information solely for the purpose of evaluating whether to go ahead with a film treatment of the material, and will only disclose the information to individuals that you have approved in writing.
• The producer will indemnify you against any loss or disclosure, and from all actions, claims or costs arising out of any breach of the agreement by the producers.
• Don't risk having someone else use your ideas - get them to sign the Confidentiality Agreement form before you let them see your material.
• This is a MS Word template that can be re-used as often as you like.

Exercise your option to acquire the rights to an original screenplay with this Film Rights Acquisition Agreement.

• The option is being exercised by the film producer under the terms of a prior Option Agreement between the screenplay owner and the film producer.
• The screenplay owner grants the producer the right to produce a motion picture, adapt the work for the screen, record a sound track, assign or license the rights, exercise distribution rights, and make prequels and/or sequels using the same characters.
• The producer also has the right to register worldwide copyright with respect to all motion pictures and products created from the screenplay.
• The screenplay owner will receive payment of the exercise price and a percentage of net receipts as a royalty.
• If principal photography on a film treatment has not commenced within 5 years of the date of the Agreement, the owner has the right to re-acquire the rights to the screenplay (a right of reversion).
• The owner waives all moral rights in the screenplay.
• The owner will receive an author credit on every copy of the film and in all publicity and advertising.
• This is a downloadable and customizable digital document in MS Word format.

This USA Literary Acquisition Option and Purchase Agreement package contains all the documents a film producer needs to acquire the rights to a published work from the writer of the work.

• The agreements in this package give the producer an exclusive and irrevocable option to purchase worldwide motion picture rights to the work.
• The package contains the following forms:
  • Option Agreement for Rights to Published Work,
  • Purchase Agreement for Rights to Published Work,
  • Short form Option Agreement for recording with the US Copyright Office,
  • Short form Copyright Assignment, and
  • Quitclaim Release of Interest in Literary Property.
• The forms are provided in MS Word format and are easy to customize.
• These legal contracts and forms are written in accordance with U.S. laws and are intended for use only in the United States.

Prepare a professional agency contract for a client quickly and easily with this Literary Management Representation Agreement for screenwriters.

• The manager will be paid a percentage of any gross compensation paid to the screenwriter for any work procured under the Agreement.
• The manager has the right to produce and package any script by the screenwriter and is entitled to producer's fees and credits for production and distribution.
• The parties agree that the contract is between the writer and the manager as individuals, and not with any firm, agency or other entity that the manager is employed by.
• This is a generic legal contract which is not country-specific and can be used almost anywhere.
• If you represent screenwriters, then this Literary Management Representation Agreement is an ideal template for you. You can personalize each copy, customize it to reflect your unique services, and re-use it as often as your business requires.

Secure the worldwide rights to a person's biography for film, TV, book or other media with this Option Agreement for Rights to Life Story.

• The option can be renewed for two additional terms after the initial term.
• The person gives up his or her rights to their life story to the writer, even if the writer does not actually develop a project from the rights.
• The writer will use best efforts to develop a project, but is under no obligation to do so.
• The writer shall pay the person a specified amount for each project developed from the rights.

Don't lose an opportunity to get exclusive rights to a fascinating life story. Step 1: Buy the Option Agreement template. Step 2: Get it signed!

Secure your option for worldwide motion picture, exploitation and merchandising rights to an original screenplay from the screenwriter with this Option Agreement template.

• The writer grants the producer an exclusive and irrevocable option to purchase the rights to the work.
• The producer has the right to make sequels, prequels, remakes and TV series based on the work, for which the writer will be paid a percentage of the net profits.
• The file includes a Short Form Option Agreement for recording at the Copyright Office, and a Short Form Copyright Assignment.
• Also included is a Quitclaim Release of Interest in Literary Property.
• Available in MS Word format.

Transfer the ownership interest in a literary work from the writer to a film producer with this Quitclaim Release of Interest in Literary Property.

• The writer releases and quitclaims his/her interest in the property, including copyright or trademark interest, to the producer.
• Neither the producer or any person claiming through the producer will make any future claim with respect to the property.
• This form of Release is typically associated with an option or literary acquisition agreement to acquire the rights for a future movie or television production.
• The process of acquiring the rights to a literary property requires a good deal of paperwork. The Quitclaim Release of Interest form is part of that documentation.
• Available in MS Word format.

Are you an unpublished author trying to make your mark as a screenwriter?

• Before you submit your work to a producer, make sure it's properly formatted with this free template.
• This document sets out how the cover page should look, and shows how to format the actual script pages.
• The blank Screenplay Template and Cover Page sample is a free download in MS Word format. Grab a copy.