OT: customer contracts

PossibilityX wrote on 9/15/2005, 12:41 PM
Out of the blue, a guy said he'd like me to consider shooting a Web commercial for a construction company he works for. This based on a DVD I did for him on an unrelated subject.

Here's my questions:

1) Any of you guys willing to share the contracts you have your clients sign prior to beginning a job? If so I'd be much obliged. I'm kinda interested in seeing how you protect yourselves.

2) How do you recieve payment? I'm thinking of telling the guy: "25% up front, another 25% due when I complete the shoot, another 25% due when I deliver a DVD with 4 or 5 sample rough cuts on it, and the final 25% due when I deliver the final cut (in various Web-ready files) on DVD."

Thanks for any tips---
John

Comments

p@mast3rs wrote on 9/15/2005, 1:22 PM
Depending on the project, I do one of two things. Either 50% up front, 25% when customer signs off on edit, then balance due on delivery OR 25% up front + any costs that need covered, 25% when customer views sample and signs off on, and then 50% due on delivery.

I dont have any contracts handy (lost them in the canes last year) but Im sure someone has a general contract they wouldnt mind sharing.
winrockpost wrote on 9/15/2005, 3:30 PM
sorry my partner doesnt let me touch our contracts (something about giving the farm away) however hire us and receive a copy for free!!!


Here is a sample contract,

http://www.videobusinessadvisor.com/sample_video_production_contract.html
Jessariah67 wrote on 9/15/2005, 6:35 PM
Put limits on EVERYTHING... "up to" and "by this date" will be your best friends when it comes to keeping a client moving along. When they hire you, they are "renting you" for a specific period of time. If it goes beyond that time, they should pay more (if it's their fault) and you should take $$ off the balance (if it's your fault). Having been through the 3-week job that took 11 months to finish scenario, that would be the biggest factor I would recommend you keep track of. I can't believe people who bid on jobs and quote "unlimited revisions," etc.