Advice on director's contract

Are you a film director seeking legal advice on drafting your director's contract? Or are you a production company looking to hire a director for your project? Or do you need to review the proper acquisition of rights from the director as part of a rights clearance?

Offer

The director of a film or television production acquires copyright in the film work through their work. This makes it necessary for the producer to obtain all relevant exploitation and adaptation rights from the director's contribution. A separate agreement is almost mandatory, particularly for the acquisition of certain adaptation and ancillary rights. Equally necessary and complex is the regulation of remuneration claims and the associated special features (e.g., accrual provisions, various remuneration models with, for example, basic remuneration, net profit participation, agreement of a corridor, elevators, among others, repeat fees, questions of appropriate remuneration, as well as the effects of collective bargaining agreements and collective agreements).

However, a precise contractual agreement is also advantageous with regard to the agreed-upon performance. For example, a management contract can ensure availability during the filming period, make arrangements for cases of illness and absence, and, if necessary, agree on obligations regarding the budget, shooting schedule, and calculations, as well as arrangements related to insurance and confidentiality. Agreements on credit rights and the director's participation in material and monetary prizes and other awards are also usually contractually stipulated.

We design director's agreements and fee agreements for you, support you in contract negotiations, review existing contractual works, and assist you in pursuing and enforcing your claims.

Scope of services

• Creation, design, and negotiation of legally sound management agreements
• Consultation regarding legal options and strategic approach
• Review and assessment of the factual and legal situation
• Representation before all German regional and higher regional courts, both in preliminary injunction proceedings and in litigation.

Costs

We typically offer you this service on a time and material basis at a fair hourly rate. Cost transparency and cost certainty are a matter of course for us to ensure a successful collaboration. We would be happy to provide you with an estimate of the expected costs and cost risks before you commission us.