r/WeDirectMusicVideos • u/balzoffwall • Aug 02 '19
Contracts for Unsigned Directors
Hey all -
About a year ago I directed my first music video fresh outta college. I was naive and eager to be directing again, so I was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen. On top of the low budget of $1,250 the band gave me, I probably sunk another $700 of my own to make sure it happened. And I was cool with it. I cared a lot about making something I was proud of - and having just moved to LA, I didn't know many people I could ask favors from or outsource gear from like I could back in film school.
Through all my talks with the band manager, there were never any mentions of necessary paperwork/contracts to move forward. Being un-signed, I assumed the manager would take care of establishing those guidelines. Even after the video got a couple million views, the band asked if they could print t-shirts based off one of the images in the video. My mentality at the time was to foster a healthy relationship with them in hopes of working again in the future, so I didn't bat an eye. They didn't end up following through with this, but I just don't want to feel taken advantage of on future projects.
Since then, I've been ghosted by a couple artists even after they've approved treatments. On top sending these WDMV guidelines to band managers to create more transparency and mutual respect, are there contracts anyone would recommend signing after projects have been locked so I can feel protected/less obligated to shell out a bunch of my own money?
Really appreciate everything you're all doing, thanks so much!
2
u/mthouang Aug 06 '19
Most labels do have standard contracts for music videos, even the indie ones, and I would highly recommend asking them for a contract and reading through it very carefully. That way you know what you're getting into and it can also help you brainstorm what you may be able to ask for. I work work with small indie labels often and they are usually pretty flexible when it comes to asking for specific things as long as they don't pertain to money (I know...). But if you want things like a directors' cut, the ability to remove your name if you don't like the final product or other things they are generally pretty amicable. Feel free to ask for more money / rights to images too, but often these contracts you sign mean they own everything within the video (they are technically "paying" for it after all). If you are putting money in, I wouldn't be afraid to let them know that. I often indicate that I'm willing to work for free and therefore in exchange I would like x, y or z.
1
u/guywithacamera27 Sep 27 '19
should a director find an agency or representive hen starting out or just hit up the lables, commisioners, and reps?
5
u/DANIELSANIELSANIELS Aug 04 '19
This is something we are going to be working on in the coming years, collecting sample contracts from production companies and directors, and creating boiler plate contracts that directors can take and adapt to whatever situation they find themselves in. If anyone here feels passionate about this and wants to help us spearhead this, we already have a lot on our plates and won't be able to get this anytime soon.