Video contracts that cover the shoot and the edit

Video work has two projects in one: a shoot day that can run long, and an edit that can go round forever. Add music licences, raw footage requests and a client who wants a 30-second cut for every platform, and the fee you quoted can halve without a single line in writing.

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The contract and payment problems you actually run into

Shoot days that run over

Talent is late, the location changes, "one more take". Define the day length, overtime in half-day or hourly units, and who pays for crew, kit hire and travel.

Edit rounds and extra cutdowns

The deliverables list — main edit, cutdowns, aspect ratios, subtitles — should be explicit, with a number of revision rounds. Everything else is a change order.

Music and third-party assets

Stock footage and licensed music have their own terms, often per platform or per campaign. State who licenses them and who pays if the client wants to use the film beyond those terms.

Raw footage requests

Clients ask for all the rushes "just in case". Decide whether raw footage is included, sold separately, or kept, and how long you archive it.

How it works with Clinch

1
Describe the job in a sentence or two: the AI drafts the contract from a template made for your trade.
2
Send one link: your client reads and signs on their phone in about 30 seconds, no account needed.
3
Collect the deposit at signature, then invoice the balance from the same place.

Contract templates to start from

Videography Contract TemplateA contract for video production projects — filming, editing, revisions, licensing, and delivery of final cuts.Video Editing Retainer Agreement TemplateA monthly retainer for video editors: videos per month, turnaround, footage handoff, revision rounds, music licensing, and project files.Influencer Collaboration Agreement TemplateAn agreement between a brand and a content creator covering deliverables, usage rights, disclosure, and payment.Podcast Editing Contract TemplateA per-episode or monthly contract for podcast editors: raw audio intake, turnaround, show notes, revisions, and publishing access.

Clauses worth adding

Deliverables and file formats clauseA deliverables clause that specifies formats, delivery method and what files the client receives.Revisions clauseA revisions clause that caps revision rounds, defines what counts as a revision, and prices extra rounds.Third-party assets clauseA clause covering stock photos, fonts, plugins and open-source code used in client work: licensing and who pays.Usage license clauseA license clause for freelancers who keep copyright and license usage: scope, media, territory, duration and fees for extra use.Travel expenses clauseA travel clause: when travel is billed, how travel time is charged, and which costs the client covers.Deposit clauseA non-refundable deposit clause for freelancers: how much, when it's due, and what it secures. Copy the wording and variants by trade.

Free tools

Project cost estimatorPhases and hours in, a priced quote with buffer and deposit out.Change order generatorPrice the extra request, move the deadline, get it approved in writing.Deposit calculatorPick a deposit, split the rest into milestones, copy the clause.Invoice generatorLine items, tax, deposit paid, due date and late-fee terms in one clean invoice.

Comparing tools?

Clinch vs HoneyBook for freelancers Clinch vs Dubsado for freelancers Clinch vs Bonsai for freelancers

Questions

Do I have to give clients the raw footage?

Only if your contract says so. Many videographers exclude it, or offer it for an extra fee, because raw footage can be re-cut in ways that misrepresent the work.

Who pays for music licences?

Either can work, but decide in advance. If you license the track, limit the licence to the agreed use and quote extensions if the client wants broadcast or paid ads.

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Other trades

Photographers Wedding planners Designers Developers Copywriters Consultants Coaches Architects Translators Social media managers DJs Event planners Fitness trainers Interior designers Marketers Illustrators Wedding photographers Web agencies Tutors

General information, not legal advice. For high-stakes deals, have a lawyer review your contract.

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