Contract template for videographers

Videographers book crew and kit against a date. When the client cancels or moves the shoot two days before, that cost does not go away: the crew may still need to be paid and the day cannot be resold. A cancellation scale tied to notice periods is the main thing a videography contract has to cover.

The other disputes come after the shoot. The client wants all the raw footage, or wants to use a clip in an ad the original film was never cleared for, or someone on camera did not sign a release. Each of these is a clause, not a negotiation after the fact.

Clauses specific to videographers

• Booking and cancellation. The shoot date is confirmed by the deposit. If the client cancels or moves the shoot, the fee due depends on notice given, as set out in the quote. Crew and hire costs already committed are billed in full.
• Weather. For outdoor shoots, either party may move the shoot for bad weather before the agreed cut-off time at no charge beyond the stated weather day fee.
• Day length and overtime. A shoot day is the number of hours stated in the quote, including breaks. Time beyond that is billed at the overtime rate.
• Releases and locations. The client arranges location permission and obtains releases from people appearing on camera, unless the quote says the videographer handles them.
• Raw footage. The videographer delivers the edited film. Raw footage stays with the videographer and is supplied only if listed in the quote.
• Equipment and safety. The videographer may stop or alter a shot that puts crew, equipment or the public at risk.

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.

Questions videographers ask

Also for videographers: invoice template and quote template. Contract templates for related trades: video editors, photographers, motion designers, social media managers. Or browse all contract templates.