Agreement to Produce Television Series
Agreement (the Agreement ) made on the _________________ (date) ,
between ____________________ (Name of Producer) of _________________
________________________________________________________ (street
address, city, state, zip code) , referred to herein as Producer , and
____________________________ (Name of Production Company) , a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of
______________, with its principal office located at _______________________
_____________________________________________ (street address, city,
state, zip code) , referred to herein as Company .
1. Definitions
A. Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, joint
venture, unincorporated association or other entity.
B. Company means ____________________ (Name of Company) .
C. Property means the characters and other intellectual property now
or hereafter developed by Company and all productions produced,
distributed and/or owned by Company.
D. Term refers to the minimum rights period pursuant to which a
Property is exploited.
2. Services
Company hereby engages Producer to render exclusive producing and
consulting services to Company during the Term hereof. Producer will render
such services when, where and as reasonably required by Company and will
comply with all reasonable directions of Company relative thereto. The services
to be rendered by Producer hereunder include, but are not limited to, producing
and consulting services with respect to the development and production of all
programming of Company at the reasonable instruction of Company. Producer's
primary responsibilities will be serving as executive producer for the television
series entitled ______________________ (name of show) , including consulting
on key creative elements, scheduling, casting, selection and supervision of key
crew and post-production.
3. Term
A. Initial Term
This Agreement will commence on __________________ (date)
and will terminate on _________________ (date) , hereinafter called the
Initial Term , unless sooner terminated, suspended or extended in
accordance with the terms provided for herein.
B. Extended Term
Company will have an exclusive and irrevocable option, exercisable
in writing on or before a date which is at least ______ (number) days prior
to the end of the Initial Term, to extend this Agreement for an additional
_____ (number) year period ( Extended Term ), unless sooner terminated,
suspended or extended in accordance with the terms provided for herein.
The Initial Term and the Extended Term, to the extent exercised and in effect,
are collectively referred to herein as the Term .
4. Exclusivity
During the Term, Producer agrees to render his services solely and
exclusively for Company, and will not perform services for any other person or
business in connection with any other entertainment industry project without the
prior written consent of Company.
5. Payment
A. Base Salary
As full and complete compensation for all services rendered and
the rights granted by Producer to Company hereunder, Company agrees
to pay Producer and Producer agrees to accept a salary of $___________
for the Initial Term with increases of $___________ and $___________
respectively for the second and third years after the Initial Term, if
Company exercises the options described in Paragraph 3.B above. The
Base Salary will be payable in equal monthly installments on Company's
standard payroll day.
B. Additional Consideration
In addition to the Base Salary payable to Producer as set forth
above, Producer will be entitled to receive the following sums set forth
below:
1. Residuals: With respect to all programming on which
Producer renders his services hereunder, Producer will be entitled
to receive additional compensation of $___________ for each
episode of the series. The foregoing constitutes one-time payments
for each episode of any series for which Producer renders services
hereunder.
2. The residuals, less any applicable deductions required by
law will be payable within _____ (number) days following the initial
exploitation of the series episodes.
3. The residuals will be payable to Producer during and after
the expiration of the Term of this Agreement. Such residuals will be
payable to Producer after the expiration of the Term at the same
time and in the same manner as if such were payable during the
Term.
C. Fringe Benefits
Producer will be entitled to the following fringe benefits, which
benefits will terminate upon the expiration of the Term hereof or the
termination of Producer's services as provided for herein.
1. Medical Insurance: Producer will be eligible to participate in
Company's medical and health plan or other similar benefit plans
generally made available to other employees of Company in
accordance with the terms thereof, as such terms may change from
time to time and subject to Producer cooperating with and
successfully passing any medical examinations required in
connection with such benefits.
2. Life Insurance: Provided Producer qualifies for life
insurance at normal premium rates, Company will pay for the
premiums on a $________ term life insurance policy during the
Term.
6. Office
Company will provide Producer with a suitable, furnished office for
Producer's sole use wherever Company maintains its principal offices, prepaid
parking, and will employ a secretary or an assistant reasonably approved by
Producer for Producer's sole use at a salary approved by Company.
7. Expenses
Producer will be regularly reimbursed (no less frequently than monthly) for
all necessary and reasonable business expenses incurred by Producer in the
scope of Producer's engagement hereunder upon submission of itemized
expenses (together with original receipts wherever possible) in the manner and
at the time specified by Company. If any expenses are substantial or exceed the
parameters of Company's normal expense reimbursement procedures, Producer
will obtain the approval of Company prior to incurring such expense.
8. Business Travel
When required by Company to render services at an overnight location
outside of Producer's city of residence, Company will provide or reimburse
Producer for the cost of round-trip, business class transportation and business
class hotel accommodations in accordance with Company policy with respect to
such matters.
9. Car Allowance
Company will provide Producer with a monthly car allowance during the
Term in the amount of $__________, payable on a monthly basis.
10. Vacation
Producer will be entitled to annual paid vacations in accordance with the
vacation policy of Company.
11. Capacity to Contract
Producer will have no right or authority to and will not employ any person
in any capacity, nor contract for the purchase or rental on behalf of Company of
any materials nor incur any obligations on behalf of Company whereby Company
is required to pay any monies or incur liability, without the prior consent of
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company agrees that Producer will
have the right to employ persons and make obligations on behalf of Company
provided such elements are contained within a budget previously approved by
Company.
12. Name and Likeness
Company and its successors, licensees and assigns will have the non-
exclusive and perpetual right, but not the obligation, to use and license the use of
Producer's name, photograph, approved likeness and biographical data
_____________________________ (Name and Likeness ) for the following:
A. In billing and credits with respect to any series produced during the
Term;
B. In publicizing Producer's services hereunder or the results and
proceeds of all Producer's services hereunder in connection with any
series produced during the Term, which right may be exercised by
Company or any distributor, network, sponsor, advertising agency or
licensee of exhibition rights in the series;
C. In connection with the publication or other exploitation of ancillary
products derived from any series produced hereunder; and
D. In connection with all publicity related to the series and the general
business of Company.
Producer will give prior notice to and coordinate with Company any and all
publicity and interviews in connection with Producer's services hereunder.
13. Death or Disability
A. In the event of Producer's death during the Term, this Agreement
will terminate and Company will be obligated to pay Producer's estate only
that portion of Base Salary and Additional Consideration, if any, earned
and accruing to Producer pursuant to Paragraph 5.B through the date of
termination.
B. In the event that Producer is substantially unable to perform the
services required hereunder as the result of physical or mental disability,
as determined by Company (including consultation with Producer's
physician, if any) and such disability continues for a period of _______
(number) consecutive weeks, Company will have the right, at its option, to
terminate Producer's employment hereunder upon ten days' written notice
at any time after the ______ (number) -week period, so long as the
disability is continuing at the time of such notice, and Company will be
obligated to Producer for only that portion of the Base Salary and
Additional Compensation, if any, earned and accruing to Producer
pursuant to Paragraph 5.B of the through the date of termination.
14. Force Majeure
In the event that Company sells or otherwise transfers substantially all of
its business assets to an unrelated third party or suspends substantially all of its
business operations as a result of an event of force majeure (i.e., the interruption
of Company's normal business operations caused by any disruptive event
including, but not limited to, a labor dispute or strike which is beyond Company's
control) and if such event of force majeure continues for a period of _______
(number) consecutive weeks, effective as of the date of the commencement of
the event of force majeure, then Company may terminate Producer's services
hereunder and Company will be obligated to pay Producer only that portion of the
Base Salary and Additional Compensation, if any, earned and accruing to
Producer pursuant to Paragraph 5.B through the date of termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Company terminates Producer's services
pursuant to this Paragraph and at any time during the Term hereof recommences
its business operations and if Producer is available when Company requires his
services, then Producer will be offered the opportunity to render services to
Company as provided herein for the balance of the previous engagement in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and such offer will
be accepted, if at all, in writing by Producer within ______ (number) business
days after the offer is received, and, if not, the offer will be deemed rejected.
15. Insurance
Company has the right to secure in its own name or otherwise, and at its
own expense, life, health, accident and other insurance covering Producer.
Producer will have no right, title or interest in and to such insurance. Producer
will assist Company in procuring such insurance by submitting to examinations
and by signing such applications and other instruments as may be reasonably be
required by the insurance carrier to which application is made for any such
insurance. Producer's own physician may be present at any such examinations,
at Producer's sole cost and expense, provided that Producer's physician will not
interfere with any such examination.
16. Warranties
Producer warrants and represents that:
A. Producer has the right to enter into this Agreement and to grant to
Company any and all rights and services set forth herein.
B. Producer is not subject to any obligation or disability which will or
might prevent or interfere with the performance by Producer of all of the
covenants, conditions, and agreements to be performed and observed by
Producer hereunder, and Producer has not made nor will make any
contractual or other commitments which would inhibit the full performance
of this Agreement by Producer.
C. This Agreement is not subject to any claim against Company for
fees or commissions by any of Producer's agents or personal
representatives or any other person, firm or corporation.
D. All material created, added and/or otherwise contributed by
Producer pursuant to this Agreement (collectively the Material ) is wholly
original with Producer and no part thereof is taken from, based upon, or
adapted from any other literary material, dramatic work or television
program (other than material fully cleared by Producer or in the public
domain) and the full use of the Material, or any part thereof, as herein
granted will not, to the best of Producer's knowledge, in any way violate or
infringe upon any copyright belonging to any person or entity or constitute
a libel or defamation of, or an invasion of the rights of privacy of or
otherwise violate or infringe upon any other right or rights whatsoever of
any person or entity.
E. To the best of Producer's knowledge, there is no outstanding claim
or litigation pending against the title or ownership of the Material or any
part thereof or in the rights therein.
F. Producer has not assigned nor licensed to any other person or
entity or in any manner encumbered or hypothecated any of the rights
herein granted to Company with respect to the Material, nor has Producer
agreed to do so.
G. The foregoing warranties and representations are made by
Producer to induce Company to execute this Agreement. Producer hereby
indemnifies and agrees to hold Company and their officers, employees,
directors, agents and licensees, harmless against any and all claims,
liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees) arising out of or in connection with a breach or alleged breach by
Producer of any of the warranties, representations or agreements
contained in this Agreement.
17. Errors and Omissions Insurance
Company agrees to make application to add Producer as an additional
insured under Company's errors and omissions insurance policy with respect to
all projects in connection with which Producer renders services pursuant to this
Agreement, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of said policy,
including any deductible or policy limits, provided that (i) the inclusion of
Producer on such policy will not relieve Producer in any way from producer's
representations, warranties and indemnities contained herein, and (ii) Company
will not be responsible to producer if its insurance carrier refuses such
application.
18. Ownership
The results and proceeds of Producer's services hereunder including,
without limitation, in connection with the Property, are and shall be deemed a
work-made-for-hire as an employee of Company. Company will exclusively own
all now known or hereafter existing rights of every kind throughout the universe in
perpetuity, and in all languages, the results and proceeds of the Materials that
Producer has furnished hereunder, free and clear of any claims by Producer (or
anyone claiming under or on behalf of Producer) of any kind or character
whatsoever for all now known or hereinafter invented uses, media and forms
including, without limitation, all copyrights thereof in and to motion picture, home
video, television, sequel, remake and allied rights therein. The foregoing is
inclusive of a full assignment to Company thereof. If under any applicable law the
fact that the Property is a work-made-for-hire is not effective to place authorship
and ownership of the Property and all rights therein in Company, then to the
fullest extent allowable and for the full term of protection otherwise accorded to
Producer under such applicable law, including without limitation, for the full term
of any copyrights, Producer hereby assigns and transfers to Company all right,
title and interest of Producer in the Property. Producer agrees to execute such
further instruments as Company may from time to time reasonably deem
necessary or desirable to evidence, establish, maintain, perfect, protect, enforce
or defend its right, title or interest in or to the Property.
19. Equitable Relief
Producer acknowledges that the services to be rendered by Producer
under the terms of this Agreement, and the rights and privileges granted to
Company by Producer herein, are of a special, unique, extraordinary and
intellectual character which gives them a peculiar value, the loss of which cannot
be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in any action at law, and
that a breach by Producer of any of the provisions contained in this Agreement
will cause Company irreparable injury and damage. Producer acknowledges that
Company is entitled to the remedies of injunction, special performance and other
equitable relief for a breach of this Agreement by Producer. Such right of
equitable relief will not act as a waiver of any other rights or remedies available to
Company. In the event of breach of this Agreement by Company, Producer
acknowledges and agrees that under no circumstances will Producer be entitled
to injunctive or equitable relief, nor will Producer have the right to rescind this
agreement, Producer's sole remedy in the event of such breach is limited to an
action at law to recover monetary damages.
20. Termination
A. Company may terminate this Agreement and Producer's
engagement hereunder at any time for cause. For purposes of this
agreement, the term cause will mean conviction of Producer for any felony
or any lesser crime involving the property of Company, willful misconduct
or gross negligence by Producer in connection with the performance of
Producer's duties hereunder.
B. Upon termination of this Agreement for cause, Company will only
be obligated to pay Producer that portion of the Base Salary and
Additional Compensation, if any, earned and accruing to Producer
pursuant to Paragraph 5.B through the date of termination of Producer's
engagement. In the event the cause can be cured by Producer, Company
will afford Producer a ______ (number) business day period from the date
of written notice thereof to effect the cure, and this Agreement may not be
terminated during such _____ (number) business day period.
C. Company will have the right to terminate Producer's employment at
any time without cause. In the event Producer's services are terminated by
Company other than for cause, death or disability prior to the completion
of the Term, Producer will receive the Base Salary for the balance of the
Term, payable in equal installments no less frequently than semimonthly.
21. Severability
The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be
deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this
Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions
shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by
both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.
22. No Waiver
The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance
of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach
of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as
subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall
continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver
had occurred.
23. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of _________________.
24. Notices
Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if
sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this
Agreement.
25. Attorney’s Fees
In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the
unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all
the sums that either party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the
successful party's attorney fees.
26. Mandatory Arbitration
Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by
binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an
arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then
select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The
arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association
then in force and effect.
27. Entire Agreement
This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties
and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of
this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent
incorporated in this Agreement.
28. Modification of Agreement
Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by
either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in
writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.
29. Assignment of Rights
The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party
and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or
other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.
30. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute
but one and the same instrument.
31. In this Agreement, any reference to a party includes that party's heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns, singular includes plural and
masculine includes feminine.
WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.
____________________________
(Name of Company)
________________________ By:_______________________________
(P rinted Name of Producer) ___________________________
________________________ (P rinted Name & Office in Corporation)
(Signature of Producer ) ___________________________
(Signature of Officer)