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Production Company Agreement

For a studio, brand, network, or distributor hiring an outside production company to physically produce a film, series, commercial, or branded content project — covers the fixed budget, payment milestones, deliverables, approval rights at script, casting, rough cut, fine cut, and final master, IP ownership, insurance, and optional completion bond and audit rights.

Want to hire one individual to oversee the project instead? See the Producer Agreement.

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 production company to develop, produce, or deliver a media project. It fits work that needs a set budget, payment milestones, a production schedule, defined deliverables, clear approvals, and clear ownership of the finished project.

Good fit for

  • Studios or producers hiring a production company
  • Brands or agencies commissioning video or media work
  • Clients who need defined deliverables and deadlines
  • Projects with a set budget and payment milestones
  • Anyone who needs clear ownership of the finished work

You may also need

Before you start

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

  • The company name and the project
  • The scope of production services
  • The budget and payment milestones
  • The production schedule
  • The deliverables and their formats
  • Who controls approvals
  • Who owns the finished project
  • How budget overages are handled
  • Insurance requirements

What's Inside This Contract

Production services

Sets the scope of work the company will deliver.

Budget and compensation

Covers the budget, payment milestones, and how overages are handled.

Ownership and intellectual property

States who owns the finished project and the underlying rights.

Representations and warranties

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

Insurance and completion

Sets the insurance carried and any completion assurance for the work.

Term and termination

Covers how long the deal lasts and how it can end.

Disputes and general provisions

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

Points Worth Negotiating

  • Who owns the final project
  • Who controls approvals
  • What deliverables are required
  • Who is responsible for budget overages
  • When payments are due
  • What happens if production is delayed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a production company agreement?
It hires a production company to develop, produce, or deliver a media project. It sets the budget, schedule, deliverables, and ownership.
Who owns the finished project?
Ownership is negotiated. Most deals give ownership to the client or studio funding the work, and the agreement states this clearly.
What deliverables should be listed?
List the specific items the company must hand over, such as final cuts, master files, footage, and supporting materials, with formats and deadlines.
Who is responsible for production overages?
Overages are costs above the agreed budget. The agreement says who approves and pays for them, which prevents a common source of disputes.
Is this different from a producer agreement?
Yes. A production company agreement hires a company to deliver a full production. A producer agreement hires an individual producer for their services.
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 production company agreement?

These are common issues to watch for in any production company agreement:

  • No clear deliverable list
  • Unclear ownership language
  • No approval timeline
  • Missing insurance requirements
  • No overage process
  • Vague production schedule
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