Videography Contract Template

VIDEOGRAPHY PRODUCTION AGREEMENT
This Videography Production Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [Effective Date] by and between:
Videographer: [Videographer/Production Company Legal Name], with principal place of business at [Address] ("Videographer")
Client: [Client Legal Name], a [Entity Type] with its principal place of business at [Address] ("Client")
Collectively referred to as the "Parties."
1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1.1 The Videographer shall produce video content for the Client as described in the Creative Brief (Exhibit A) ("Project").
1.2 Project type: [corporate promotional video, event documentation, brand commercial, training video, social media content series, etc.]
1.3 Intended use: [website, social media, television advertising, internal communications, trade show presentation, etc.]
2. PRE-PRODUCTION
2.1 Pre-production services include: [concept development, scripting, storyboarding, shot list creation, location scouting, casting, scheduling].
2.2 The Client shall review and approve the script/storyboard within [5] business days of submission. Approval constitutes authorization to proceed to production.
2.3 Significant creative changes requested after script/storyboard approval may incur additional fees, to be agreed in writing before implementation.
3. PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
3.1 Principal photography shall take place on [Date(s)] at [Location(s)].
3.2 The production crew shall include: [Director/Videographer, Camera Operator, Sound Technician, Lighting Technician, Production Assistant — list applicable crew].
3.3 The Client shall ensure location access, necessary permits, and availability of any Client personnel or products required for the shoot.
3.4 Additional shooting days beyond the scope described above shall be billed at $[Rate] per day plus production expenses.
4. DELIVERABLES
4.1 The Videographer shall deliver the following final video content ("Deliverables"):
(a) [Number] final edited video(s) of approximately [Length] minutes each;
(b) Delivery formats: [H.264/MP4 for web, ProRes for broadcast, etc.] at [resolution, e.g., 4K, 1080p];
(c) [If included: [Number] social media cut-downs of [Length] seconds each];
(d) [If included: Raw footage delivered on [hard drive / cloud storage]];
(e) [If included: [Number] still frame exports from the video footage].
4.2 Final Deliverables shall be provided via [delivery method] within [Number] business days of the Client's final edit approval.
5. POST-PRODUCTION
5.1 Post-production services include: editing, color grading, audio mixing, basic motion graphics/titles, and music integration.
5.2 The Videographer shall deliver a rough cut for the Client's review within [Number] business days of completing principal photography.
5.3 The Client shall provide consolidated feedback within [5] business days of receiving each cut.
5.4 This Agreement includes [2] rounds of revisions following the rough cut. Additional revision rounds shall be billed at $[Rate] per round.
5.5 A revision round is defined as a single consolidated set of feedback from the Client. Contradictory or incremental feedback that requires reworking previously approved elements may be treated as an additional revision round.
6. COMPENSATION
6.1 The total Project fee is structured as follows:
(a) Creative Fee: $[Amount] for the Videographer's creative and technical services;
(b) Production Expenses: Estimated at $[Amount] as detailed in the Production Budget (Exhibit B), including [equipment rental, crew fees, location fees, props, talent fees, travel, catering];
(c) Usage License Fee: $[Amount] for the usage rights defined in Section 8.
6.2 Total estimated Project cost: $[Total Amount].
7. PAYMENT TERMS
7.1 The Client shall pay the Videographer as follows:
(a) [33]% of the total Project cost upon execution of this Agreement ("Deposit");
(b) [33]% upon completion of principal photography;
(c) Remaining [34]% plus any production expense reconciliation upon delivery and acceptance of the final Deliverables.
7.2 The Deposit is non-refundable and secures the production dates.
7.3 Payments are due within [15] business days of invoicing.
7.4 Late payments accrue interest at [1.5]% per month. The Videographer may suspend work if payment is more than [15] days overdue.
8. USAGE LICENSE
8.1 Upon full payment, the Videographer grants the Client a [non-exclusive] license to use the Deliverables as follows:
(a) Media: [social media, website, email marketing, trade shows, television, cinema — specify all included media];
(b) Territory: [local / national / worldwide];
(c) Duration: [1 year / 2 years / perpetual] from the date of first use.
8.2 Any use beyond the scope of this license requires a separate written agreement and additional licensing fees.
8.3 The Client shall not edit, re-edit, or alter the Deliverables without the Videographer's prior written consent, except for minor formatting adjustments required by specific platforms.
9. MUSIC AND AUDIO LICENSING
9.1 The Videographer shall source and license background music from royalty-free or licensed music libraries suitable for the Client's intended use.
9.2 Music licensing costs are included in the Production Expenses budget unless the Client requests specific commercial tracks, in which case additional licensing fees shall be the Client's responsibility.
9.3 The Client shall not use the Deliverables in any media or territory not covered by the music license without first securing expanded music rights.
10. COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP
10.1 The Videographer retains copyright ownership of all video content, footage, and audio created under this Agreement.
10.2 The Client's rights are limited to the usage license defined in Section 8.
10.3 The Videographer may use excerpts or stills from the Deliverables for portfolio, website, social media, and industry awards, provided such use does not compete with the Client's licensed use during any exclusivity period.
10.4 Raw footage remains the property of the Videographer unless purchased by the Client for an additional fee of $[Amount].
11. CANCELLATION AND POSTPONEMENT
11.1 If the Client cancels the Project:
(a) Before pre-production begins: The Deposit is forfeited;
(b) After pre-production has begun: The Deposit plus all incurred pre-production expenses are owed;
(c) Less than [14] days before the scheduled shoot: [75]% of the total Project cost plus all incurred expenses;
(d) After production has begun: [100]% of the total Project cost.
11.2 Postponement due to weather (outdoor shoots): The Videographer shall reschedule at no additional creative fee, but the Client is responsible for any additional production expenses.
11.3 If the Videographer cancels, the Videographer shall refund all payments received.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY
12.1 Each Party shall maintain the confidentiality of the other Party's proprietary information, including unreleased products, marketing strategies, and financial terms.
12.2 The Videographer shall not publish or share Project content until the Client has approved its public release.
12.3 This obligation survives termination for [2] years.
13. LIABILITY LIMITATION
13.1 The Videographer's total liability shall not exceed the total fees paid by the Client.
13.2 The Videographer shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
13.3 The Videographer shall not be liable for production delays or quality issues caused by the Client's failure to provide necessary access, approvals, or resources on time.
14. INDEMNIFICATION
14.1 The Client shall indemnify the Videographer against claims arising from the Client's use of the Deliverables, including claims for defamation, false advertising, or invasion of privacy related to the content or context of use.
14.2 The Videographer shall indemnify the Client against claims arising from the Videographer's infringement of third-party intellectual property rights.
15. TERMINATION
15.1 Either Party may terminate in accordance with the cancellation provisions in Section 11.
15.2 Either Party may terminate immediately for material breach that remains uncured for [10] days after written notice.
15.3 Provisions regarding copyright, confidentiality, indemnification, and liability limitation survive termination.
16. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
16.1 This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [State].
16.2 Disputes shall first be submitted to mediation. If unresolved within [30] days, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration in [City, State].
17. GENERAL PROVISIONS
17.1 This Agreement and its Exhibits constitute the entire agreement.
17.2 Amendments require written approval by both Parties.
17.3 If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder stays in effect.
17.4 Neither Party may assign without prior written consent.
17.5 Notices shall be in writing to the addresses stated above.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties execute this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
VIDEOGRAPHER:
Signature: ___________________________
Name: [Videographer Name]
Business: [Production Company Name]
Date: ___________________________
CLIENT:
Signature: ___________________________
Name: [Authorized Representative]
Title: [Title]
Organization: [Organization Name]
Date: ___________________________