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Director Agreement

For a producer or studio hiring a director to helm a project — covers creative control, director's cut rights, pre/post-production responsibilities, DGA compliance, and backend participation.

Drafted by a Harvard Law entertainment attorney.

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Is this the right contract for your project?

This contract is built for hiring a director to lead the creative work on a film, show, or video. It fits projects that need a set fee, defined creative controls and approvals, clear credit, and clear ownership of the work.

Good fit for

  • Producers or production companies hiring a director
  • Studios bringing a director onto a project
  • Directors setting their fee, controls, and credit
  • Projects that need clear final cut or editing terms
  • Anyone who needs clear ownership of the work

You may also need

Before you start

It helps to have these details on hand before you create your contract:

  • The director's name and the project
  • The fee and any profit share
  • The creative controls and approvals
  • Who holds final cut or editing rights
  • How the director will be credited
  • Who owns the work
  • Whether the role is exclusive during production
  • Term and deadlines

What's Inside This Contract

Engagement and services

Sets the director's role, duties, and creative work on the project.

Compensation

Covers the fee, any back-end, and payment timing.

Credit

States how and where the director is credited.

Intellectual property

States who owns the director's work.

Representations and warranties

Confirms each side has the right to enter the deal and meet its promises.

Term and termination

Covers how long the deal lasts, how it can end, and any guild terms.

Disputes and general provisions

Covers standard terms such as notices, how disputes are handled, and signatures.

Points Worth Negotiating

  • The fee and any profit share
  • How much creative control the director has
  • Who holds final cut or editing rights
  • How the director is credited
  • Whether the role is exclusive during production

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a director agreement?
It hires a director and sets the fee, creative controls, credit, and who owns the finished work.
What is final cut?
Final cut is the right to decide the final edited version of a project. The director and the production negotiate who holds it.
How is a director paid?
Through a fee, plus a share of profits on larger projects. The agreement sets out both and the payment timing.
Who owns the director's work?
Ownership is negotiated. Most deals give ownership to the production company, with the director paid a fee and credit. The agreement states this clearly.
What should I have ready before creating it?
Have the fee and any profit share, the creative controls, who holds final cut, how the director is credited, and who owns the work.
Should I choose the custom contract or the editable template?
Choose the custom contract to answer a few questions and have it filled in for you. Choose the editable template if you prefer a blank version with labeled fields to complete yourself.
What are common warning signs in a director agreement?

These are common issues to watch for in any director agreement:

  • Unclear creative control or approvals
  • No clarity on who holds final cut
  • Missing credit terms
  • Vague duties or schedule
  • No termination terms
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