Terms of service
Part of CFA's Access program. These templates exist because most independent filmmakers cannot afford counsel.
What you are buying
What you are getting. A production agreement template and a plain-language guide explaining its clauses. You may edit it and use it in your own productions.
What it is not. These materials are for general education. They are not legal advice, they do not create an attorney-client relationship, and Cinematography for Actors Institute is not a law firm. Nothing here has been reviewed for your specific situation, your state, or the people you are contracting with.
Your responsibility. You decide whether a template fits your project and you are responsible for how you use it. Laws differ by state and country and change over time. For any agreement that involves significant money, ownership of your work, union or guild rules, minors, or anything you would be worried about losing, have a licensed lawyer review it before anyone signs.
Licence. One purchase covers you and your production. You may not resell, redistribute or offer these templates as a service to others.
No guarantee. We keep these templates current with care, but we cannot promise they are correct or complete for your use, and CFA is not liable for what results from using them.
Why we do this. CFA offers these as part of our Access program because most independent filmmakers cannot afford counsel. They are a starting point, not a replacement.
Who we are
This service, CFA Standard Agreements, is run by Cinematography for Actors Institute ("CFA"), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit film institute. These terms apply when you sign in, describe a production or buy agreements here.
What you buy
Editable production agreement templates, each filled in with the production details you give us, a plain-language guide to each one, a cover index and a receipt. They are delivered as Word and PDF files within 1-2 business days. The templates were drafted by an entertainment lawyer for California productions and adapted by CFA. You add each person's name, role and rate in the Word file yourself; the guide shows where.
Not legal advice
Cinematography for Actors Institute is not a law firm. Buying or using these templates does not make us your lawyer, and nobody at CFA reviews your production. The packet does not cover minors or union performers. For any deal involving real money, rights or risk, have a licensed lawyer read the documents before anyone signs.
Your responsibility
You are responsible for the information you give us, for choosing the right document, for any changes you make, and for collecting signatures. CFA does not route, witness or store signed documents.
Licence
One purchase covers you and one production. You may edit and use the documents for that production. You may not resell or redistribute them, or offer them as a service to others.
Payment and refunds
Prices are shown before you pay and are charged in US dollars through Stripe. All sales are final once paid. If a delivery fails or a file will not open, write to us and we will put it right.
Access
Your files stay available to download for twelve months from purchase. The exact closing date is in your emails and on your dashboard.
Acceptable use
Do not use this service to break the law, to impersonate someone, or to copy the guides or templates in bulk. We may close an account that does.
Limitation of liability
The templates and guides are provided as they are, without any promise that they suit your situation. To the extent the law allows, CFA's total liability for anything arising from this service is limited to the fee you paid for the order concerned.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. Questions go to agreements@cinematographyforactors.com.