Contract template for video editors
Editing contracts mostly have to deal with endless notes. The client sends feedback in pieces, adds a new stakeholder at the fine cut stage, or wants to swap the interview after the grade is done. Defining a round of revisions and a picture lock date gives both sides a clear moment when the edit is finished.
The other disputes are about assets. The client may expect the project file and all media so their in-house team can make changes, or may run the video in paid ads with a music licence that only covered web use. Both are cheap to prevent in writing.
Not legal advice. This is a plain-language starting point, not a contract drafted for your situation or your country. For anything large or unusual, have a lawyer where you work read it before you sign.
Clauses specific to video editors
- Revision rounds. Each round of revisions is one consolidated list of notes from the client. The quote states how many rounds are included; further rounds are billed at the stated rate.
- Picture lock. The client confirms picture lock in writing. Edit changes after picture lock, including those that require re-grading or re-mixing, are billed as additional work.
- Footage and rights. The client supplies the footage and confirms it has the right to use it, including releases from people on camera and permission for any third-party content.
- Music licensing. Music is licensed for the uses listed in the quote. Use in other channels, such as broadcast or paid advertising, may need a new licence at the client's cost.
- Project files. The editor delivers the final masters. Project files and media are not included unless the quote lists them.
- Storage. The editor keeps project media for the period stated in the quote after delivery. After that, the media may be deleted.
The clauses every freelance contract needs
- Parties. Who the agreement is between: your legal name or business, the client's legal entity, and the addresses of both.
- Scope of work. What you will deliver, in what form, and what is explicitly not included. Refer to the quote or proposal by number if it lists the details.
- Fees and payment terms. The total fee or rate, the currency, any deposit, when invoices are issued and how many days the client has to pay.
- Late payment. What happens when an invoice is late: interest or a fixed fee if you want one, and your right to pause work until the account is settled.
- Changes and revisions. How many revision rounds are included, what counts as a change of scope, and how extra work is priced and approved.
- Timeline and client delays. Key dates, and that deadlines move when the client is late with feedback, content or approvals.
- Ownership and licence. Who owns the finished work and when (usually on full payment), what the client may use it for, and what you keep, such as your tools, templates and know-how.
- Confidentiality. Both sides keep the other's non-public information private, during the project and after it.
- Cancellation. How either side can end the agreement, the notice required, and payment for work done up to that point.
- Liability. A cap on what either side can claim, often the fees paid under the agreement, and no liability for indirect losses.
- Governing law. Which country's law applies and where disputes are heard. Usually where you are based.
A plain-language sample
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and cut what doesn't apply. Shorter is fine as long as the scope, the money and the rights are clear.
1. Parties
This agreement is between [Your name or business], the video editor ("we"), and [Client legal name], the client ("you"), and starts on [date].
2. The work
We will deliver the work described in quote [number], dated [date]. Anything not listed there is outside this agreement and will be quoted separately before we start on it.
3. Revision rounds
Each round of revisions is one consolidated list of notes from the client. The quote states how many rounds are included; further rounds are billed at the stated rate.
4. Picture lock
The client confirms picture lock in writing. Edit changes after picture lock, including those that require re-grading or re-mixing, are billed as additional work.
5. Footage and rights
The client supplies the footage and confirms it has the right to use it, including releases from people on camera and permission for any third-party content.
6. Music licensing
Music is licensed for the uses listed in the quote. Use in other channels, such as broadcast or paid advertising, may need a new licence at the client's cost.
7. Project files
The editor delivers the final masters. Project files and media are not included unless the quote lists them.
8. Storage
The editor keeps project media for the period stated in the quote after delivery. After that, the media may be deleted.
9. Fees and payment
The fee is [amount and currency]. We invoice [a deposit of X on signing and the balance on delivery / monthly in arrears]. Invoices are due within [14] days. If an invoice is more than [14] days late we may pause work until it is paid.
10. Changes
The quote includes [number] rounds of revisions. Further changes, or changes to work you have already approved, are charged at [rate] once you have agreed to the cost in writing.
11. Delays
Dates in the quote assume you send feedback and material on time. If you are late, the dates move by at least the same amount.
12. Confidentiality
We both keep the other's non-public information confidential, during this project and after it ends.
13. Ending the agreement
Either of us can end this agreement with [14] days' written notice. You pay for the work done up to the end date, and anything already paid for is yours to use under the terms above.
14. Liability
Neither of us is liable for indirect or consequential losses. Our total liability under this agreement is limited to the fees you have paid under it.
15. Law
This agreement is governed by the law of [country], and disputes are heard by the courts of [city or country].
Signatures
Video editor: [name, date]. Client: [name, title, date].
Questions video editors ask
Do I have to give the client the Premiere or Resolve project file?
Not unless the contract says so. If a client asks, price the handover and say it covers the project file only, not your presets, plugins or licensed assets.
How long should a video editor keep client footage?
As long as the contract says. Pick a period and write it down, so a client who comes back a year later for a recut knows whether the media still exists.
Who is responsible if a video uses footage the client had no right to use?
Put that responsibility on the client in the contract, since they supplied the footage. You can only check what you are told about, so ask for confirmation of rights in writing.
Get it signed without printing it
OIO has contract templates built in (service agreement, retainer, IP assignment, NDA) that you edit to fit, sign in the Sign app and send as a PDF. The contract sits next to the project and its invoices. Free plan, no card.
Start freeAlso for video editors: invoice template and quote template. Contract templates for related trades: videographers, motion designers, animators, social media managers. Or browse all contract templates.