Cinematographer Agreement (Non-Union)
The Cinematographer Agreement (Non-Union) is an attorney-drafted production agreement designed specifically for independent filmmakers. It establishes the terms under which a cinematographer performs services on a film, including responsibilities during pre-production, principal photography, and post-production. It also documents compensation structures commonly used in independent film, such as guaranteed fees, deferred compensation, bonuses, and optional backend…
Educational Article
Background Actor vs. Featured Extra vs. Performer Agreement
How to Choose the Right Document — and Why a Simple Release Is Never “Enough” One of the most common questions indie filmmakers ask is deceptively simple: “Do I really need a contract for this role?” The short answer is yes — but which contract depends on how the performer appears on screen. The longer…
Featured Extra / Day Player Agreement
The biggest paperwork mistake indie filmmakers make with performers isn’t using the wrong language. It’s using the wrong document. Once a performer speaks, is identifiable, or is directed as a character, a background release is no longer enough. At the same time, most student and micro-budget productions are not using full union or studio performer…
Educational Article
What Is a Day Out of Days (DOOD) — and Why Indie Filmmakers Actually Need One
Updated: April 4, 2026 If you’ve ever been on a film set and heard someone say,“Wait — is she working that day?”you’ve already encountered a Day Out of Days problem. A Day Out of Days, often shortened to DOOD, or known as a DOOD report, is one of the most overlooked — and most important…
Educational Article
What Does a Producer Actually Do? (And Why Most People Get It Wrong)
Ask almost anyone outside the industry what a producer does, and the answers are usually vague. Some think producers “raise the money.”Others assume they’re just the director’s boss.And many first-time filmmakers believe a producer is simply someone who attaches their name to a project. The truth is far less glamorous—and far more important. A producer…
Educational Article
Day-Out-of-Days (DOOD) Template for Film (Excel + On-Set Use)
The complete indie filmmaker’s guide — with a free template, a worked example, and the on-set tool that keeps your schedule honest. If you’ve heard the term ‘DoOD’ on set and weren’t sure exactly what it meant — or if you’ve been making films without one and wondering whether you actually need it — this…
Educational Article
Right of Publicity & AI Decoder
If Bruce Willis taught us anything, it’s that the rights to your image, voice, and digital likeness don’t just vanish — but they can be signed away if you’re not careful. And in the age of AI, the fine print in your contracts can decide whether you still own “you” in the future. This guide…
