I'm new here, and hope this question isn't one already hashed over. I didn't see anything in a search. I have some scenery footage (waterfalls, sunrises, etc), that a production company wants to use in a video. I've heard that when you are dealing with "the big guys", or even "the medium guys" it's easy to get raked over the coals as far as getting cheated in payment, rights, etc. Can anyone direct me to a place where a standard sort of contract is provided just to be able to see what sort of issues are, or should be, dealt with?

Thanks,

Tom Quinton

try going here -see if any of this works for you.

DVarchive Stock Footage: Our Contract (http://www.dvarchive.com/pages/our-contract.aspx)

Also, send them a screener with timecode burned in. After they select the exact timecodes they need for the final edit send them an invoice with your footage agreement. AFTER you receive payment and the signed license agreement send them the footage. Several of my stock footage colleagues including myself use this approach and we have eliminated payment problems or misunderstandings over rights.