Music videos involve directors, crew, locations, and talent — and every one of them needs clear paperwork. Without contracts, you can end up with a director claiming ownership of the treatment, crew disputes over pay, or locations demanding more money after the shoot. Paperwork before cameras roll, always.
Covering the Production
Your director agreement should define the fee, delivery timeline, revision rounds, and who owns the final video. Crew deal memos lock in day rates and credit. Get location releases and talent releases signed on set, not after. Confirm who holds the raw footage and for how long. This is industry guidance, not legal advice.
Great videos are made twice: once on set and once in the paperwork. Handle the business cleanly and the creative can shine without legal shadows.
Treatment ownership is the most misunderstood part of video deals. The director’s treatment — the creative blueprint for the video — is intellectual property, and your agreement should state clearly whether you own it, license it, or whether the director retains it. Kill fees protect both sides: if you cancel the shoot, the director gets paid for work completed, and the fee schedule should be defined upfront. Delivery specs matter more than ever with multiple platforms — confirm you receive masters in the formats you need, from vertical cuts for socials to full-resolution files for premieres. Finally, clarify the raw footage: who holds it, for how long, and what it costs to access later. Videos are assets with long shelf lives, so contract them like assets.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.