Contract for several social media videos

[Greg Ball]

Jordan, IMHO I suggest that you create a contract that covers your shooting time and also a minimum of the 4 videos that you’ll be editing. You need to determine the length of the 4 videos and include the assumed lengths into your agreement.

Make sure you include everything that will be provided and also state that if more video shooting or editing is required, you’ll provide change orders along the way.

Make sure that your agreement calls for a deposit to be paid, and that the the balance due must be paid before the client receives the final videos.

Greg Ball, President
Ball Media Innovations, Inc.
https://www.ballmediainnovations.com

[Mark Suszko]

My variation on Greg’s advice is to get a separate contract on the shooting first, then one for the edits.

One reason for this is: any expenses you incur in the shooting won’t have to wait for a bunch of editing to be reimbursed, see? Shoot, get paid. Next, comes editing and getting paid for the edit. And if there is uncertainty over how many pieces to cut from what was shot, well, again, at least your shooting expenses are already paid.

This is how i would approach any project where the post is not well-thought-out or has too much potential for changes.

The other way pros do this is one fee for the whole shebang, paid in stages like thirds or fourths. First third may be larger than an actual 33.3 percent, because it has toi cover all the advance expenses and any shooting supplies, plus any crew expenses and vendors.

If you ever expect any longevity in this business, the rule to live by is; never screw your subcontractors and suppliers and crew – they must get paid, even if/when you don’t. If you don’t do that, you will have nobody willing to help you with the next project that comes up. If you always follow the rule, the best people around will always be willing to give you a little leeway. It’s about building a solid reputation for meeting commitments, in a business that is more closed-knit than people expect.

[Greg Ball]

While I appreciate Mark’s different approach, I usually find it difficult to get a client to sign ONE contract appropriately, let alone two.

What I suggest is that you make sure that all of your shooting expenses are covered with the initial deposit. Sometimes that can be 50%, 60% or more of the total project cost. Editing is usually within your control, and of course the client does not receive the finished video until you’ve received payment in full.

Greg Ball, President
Ball Media Innovations, Inc.
https://www.ballmediainnovations.com

[Richard Herd]

[Greg Ball] “the client does not receive the finished video until you’ve received payment in full.”

Meaning: burn timecode and your logo into the video. (Sometimes I agonize on where this should go but it should be done.)

[Jordon Herdman]

I appreciate all the advice, its very good. I’m glad to hear the responses as I’ve never had a contract this big before. It’s good to hear from people who have more experience. I’m also glad I thought of these ideas before anyone suggested them, makes me feel like I’m on the right track.