TERMS OF OUR SERVICE:
Due to a variety of factors, we strictly adhere to the following guidelines. Our goal is to protect both the client and our production team. We know you’re probably not video experts....that’s our job. We will happily walk you through every step of this process to understand your goals, your budget and your deadline.
Pleased be advised that by booking our services, all of our clients do hereby agree to the following:
DEPOSIT & PAYMENT
All clients are required to pay 25% of the total fees on the date of booking which, shall in no case, be any later than 30 days prior to first day of filming. A “booking” is considered to be in place the moment a client signs the contract.
Upon signing of the contract, cancellation fees apply should the client cancel for any reason whatsoever. That fee is 25% of the total project.
PAYMENT TERMS
25% is due upon booking/signing of contract. This portion is non refundable under any circumstances but can be applied to another signed booking for work within 90 days of original contract start date.
25% additional payment is due on day of filming. If client does not pay upon arrival on set, work halts and client loses 25% initial deposit.
25% is due last day of filming. If client does not pay at final filming day, work halts and all footage is retained by us.
The remaining 25% is due upon delivery of our final output. ALL CLIENTS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE FINAL OUTPUT OF THE PROJECT SHALL INCLUDE AN OVERLAY/WATERMARK WHICH WILL ONLY BE REMOVED UPON RECEIPT AND CLEARING OF FINAL PAYMENT.
THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.
FILMING & MUSIC GUIDELINES
If client has a specific piece of music they wish to use, they must specify this up front. This is because all edits/cuts are timed to the music.
Client is to discuss scope and requirements of project in advance of booking. It is the client’s responsibility to provide all specs, required shots and storyline prior to final quote. This is pretty obvious...how can you use video to tell a story if you don’t know what story you want to tell?
If the client chooses to deviate or to add, subtract or to modify the original project including requiring additional shots, graphics, music, etc., additional charges will apply and will in most cases, will require an additional deposit. This is because in some cases, outsourced resources are needed that require substantial outlay in advance.
If the client chooses NOT to provide a storyline, our production team will develop one and submit for review. Your email approval shall constitute an agreement to proceed.
MUSIC
Music is perhaps the most important aspect of the video. We MUST select the music first so that the video can be timed to the music. NO PROJECT PROCEEDS without first selecting music.
With respect to music, every effort is made by us to provide royalty free, creative commons license music to the client. If the client chooses a piece of music, they should stay away from copyrighted music for obvious reasons. The legal and financial liabilities are huge and we will not, under any circumstances, be held liable for use of copyrighted music on which the client demands.
DELIVERY AND REVIEW
Delivery format MUST be specified up front, i.e. DVD, BluRay, for-web, I-Tunes, etc. With each one of these formats comes a whole roster of requirements. In most cases, you can’t even begin editing footage until you know how the video will be output. We can walk you through the differences.
In cases where a client decides on a web broadcast, then later decides to make the video into a TV commercial, in essence, the video must be completely re edited. This has to do with how the footage is brought into the editing software, how colors are applied and even the size and resolution used to create the project. If the client changes their mind on delivery format, in all cases, up charges apply and in some cases, due to the capture method, the client’s needs might not be met.
All clients are required to review and provide a list of requested changes within 5 business days of producer’s submission to client.
Client is allowed ONE round of changes. In other words, upon our submission of the draft to the client, ALL REQUESTED CHANGES must be submitted IN WRITING to us. If the client requests additional changes after the second draft is released, editing fees of $100 per hour apply. In such cases, additional deposit will be required.
INSURANCE & PERMITS
Insurance & Permits are not included in day rate quotes. If client wishes to add these items, substantial up charges will be incurred.
RETENTION OF FOOTAGE AND FILES
In no case will we release footage we were hired to shoot...we simply will not submit the original files to a client or another editing house without special arrangements. Typically, if asked to do so, a significant additional fee applies, usually equal to or greater than the cost of the total project. PLEASE READ BELOW SECTION ON ‘COPYRIGHT & OWNERSHIP’
Client agrees that we have the right to reuse non-branded clips of the footage in other projects at our discretion with no further obligation to client. In no case would this footage be used showcasing client’s logos without client’s permission.
As for the edited project files, we retain master copies on our server until final payment is received. After that, the edited files are deleted...only the raw footage remains. This is done to reduce storage space and in turn, to save clients money. If a client comes to us a month AFTER a project is completed and wants changes made, in essence, we must rebuild the project from scratch. Therefore, it is imperative that the client is sure that the output files are exactly as spec’d.
COPYRIGHT & OWNERSHIP
We are NOT a work for hire company. This is because under US law, we are not being paid for Worker’s Compensation, we are not directly supervised among other things. US Copyright law MANDATES that the creator (videographer) owns the copyright to the footage. As a result, the edited files we provide to clients are licensed for use for a fee (what you paid us to produce the piece). If an agreement is reached, in writing and up front, raw footage can be released, but we reserve the right to limit its use and to retain footage for use in the promotion of our company’s services or for other distribution solely at our discretion.
BILLING AND LATE PAYMENTS
All invoices are due upon receipt.
After 30 days, a 5% of total invoice late fee applies
After 60 days, another 5% of total invoice late fee applies
After 90 days, collection fees appply.
After 120 days, invoices are turned over to collection and reported as “bad debts” to D&B and credit bureaus.