Need Very Simple Producer-Editor Contract Sample Please

[indietalker]

I am a newbie short film director/producer and pre-production stage is almost done.
I need to get an editor to do the post production (editing the raw footage, providing the film output file as well as 1 trailer)

I've seen long and complicated contract samples on the net.

I appreciate very much if you could share any simpler editor-producer agreement contracts (should sound like a gentlemen agreement, rather than lawyer contract) which should also cover the followings:

-Confidentially: not sharing or storing any details, project files, any film related files in anywhere (including the cloud sync if adobe used) other than the external USB disk I provide where the source files are.

-I will always be present during the editing process

Thank you for your further suggestions, samples and any improvements in advance

 

[Paul F]

The reason they sound like a lawyer wrote them is because a lawyer wrote them and that's a good thing. While you may want a gentleman's agreement, if you want it to hold up in court, then you need the lawyer version.

But if that's not for you, write it yourself and make sure you cover every aspect that is important to you. Consider the consequences if the editor does not abide by the contract. What are you willing to do about it. Are you willing to hire a lawyer or will you take the editor to small claims court. In other words, the contract is only as good as you are willing to back it up if it is not followed. So write it accordingly.

Perhaps the contract is only to set up a gentlemen's agreement to establish common understanding that you know will be followed and there is no intention of litigation. In that case, a few simple lines on a page will do the job.

 

[filmguy123]

I understand not going to lawyers when you are dealing with small amounts. If you're working on a $2,000 project does it make sense to pay the same in lawyers fee for a contract? Probably not.

Be aware that without a properly written contract if things went south there's a lot of gotchas and the contract probably wouldn't do much, but then again that's a whole other can of worms. If you just want to formalize an agreement and "keep honest people honest" and are aware of the insecurity a home drafted contract may provide if crap hit the fan, I agree - just write your own.

Study some common language you see online, copy and paste it in, modify to taste, and sign away. Like Paul said, it's not airtight and serves as more of a gentleman's agreement, but especially at your budget range it's enough to keep honest people honest.

It's an effective way to settle any disputes personally too - it makes sure everything is agreed upon and there isn't confusion. Make sure the contract has language to serve and protect both parties if it's a gentleman's agreement (ie what is in the editor's best interest? Make them feel honored as well).

 

[indietalker]

write it yourself and make sure you cover every aspect that is important to you. Consider the consequences if the editor does not abide by the contract. What are you willing to do about it. ...

Perhaps the contract is only to set up a gentlemen's agreement to establish common understanding that you know will be followed and there is no intention of litigation. In that case, a few simple lines on a page will do the job.

Thank you Paul, I'm sorry to delay my thank you and reply due to wrong configuration of my post here which hasn't sent me any "replies" update.
Basically I want to set up a gentlemen's agreement to establish common understanding that you know will be followed and there is no intention of litigation. So if anything happens I could point out that we have agreed on these at the beginning sort

 

[indietalker]

I understand not going to lawyers when you are dealing with small amounts. If you're working on a $2,000 project does it make sense to pay the same in lawyers fee for a contract?

It doesn't, as you have pointed out. Thank you for expressing my situation better than I did.

If you just want to formalize an agreement and "keep honest people honest" and are aware of the insecurity a home drafted contract may provide if crap hit the fan, I agree - just write your own.

yes "keep honest people honest" exactly

Study some common language you see online, copy and paste it in, modify to taste, and sign away. Like Paul said, it's not airtight and serves as more of a gentleman's agreement, but especially at your budget range it's enough to keep honest people honest.

That's what I need to do.

It's an effective way to settle any disputes personally too - it makes sure everything is agreed upon and there isn't confusion. Make sure the contract has language to serve and protect both parties if it's a gentleman's agreement (ie what is in the editor's best interest? Make them feel honored as well).

"what is in the editor's best interest? Make them feel honored as well" I surely overlooked this bit until now.

Thank you filmguy123. excellent tips here, and you have expressed my situation better than I have and you come out with considerations I should follow.
All the best