Rights to the footage? Need some advice please.

R

ronin99

Active member
Hello,

A company hires me as an independent contractor to complete film work, with the understanding that for clients out of my area, I will hire another filmmaker to do the work. We've done a handful and everything went well. I've been using my release for the filmmakers I hire, so I have the rights to the footage.

Now, they want me to start using their release forms to send to the filmmakers, including the ones who have already done the work.

They are making the case that in order for them to have the rights they need the filmmaker to sign their agreement. However, Is there a way where I can have the filmmakers release the rights to me as I've been doing and then I release the rights to the company?

I don't mind them having the rights to the footage, I would just like to keep myself as the liaison between them and the filmmakers, and keep all the contacts to myself.

Thank you
 
If the filmaker signs to you and you sign to the end user the end user has what they want

As a shooter there is nothing I tread on harder than people presenting me with a contract on the shoot day.. or after it

What you negotiate between all parties is the art of business..!

S
 
Morgan,

is there some sort of form that allows this transfer of rights, that I could present to the company?
 
If someone asked me to sign a contract or release after I was paid for work I already did, I'd ignore it. And why shouldn't I? If they're asking for something that they should have asked for up front, & I liked them, I might politely ask for an additional payment for it, otherwise, what do I have to lose?
 
If someone asked me to sign a contract or release after I was paid for work I already did, and I wanted to work for the person again, I'd probably sign it. Especially if it was a formality as it seems the OP's case is...
 
ronin99 said:
If someone does not want to sign I wouldn't be able to hire them again.
Click to expand...

That cuts both ways. I wouldn't want to work for anyone who thinks they can change the terms of a deal after it's been concluded. That is inherently dishonest.

If you know that rights you want, you should pay for the up front. If you find out down the line that you need additional rights, you should be willing to pay additional for them.

If you suddenly come to a vendor with new contract terms after the work had been delivered and paid for, you have no standing. If you're going to change the terms of a contract after work has begun, but not been delivered or paid for, and you don't want to pay additionally, you're a sleaze and I would never want to work for you, anyway.
 
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