Advance
An advance is an upfront payment to talent, usually deducted from future earnings once a project generates revenue.
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Contracts and Agreements
The Essential Showbiz Dictionary™
Welcome to The Essential Showbiz Dictionary™. This page breaks down the key terms you’ll encounter when dealing with legal contracts and agreements in the entertainment industry. For instance, understanding the “option agreement” meaning is crucial—this refers to a contract that gives a producer the exclusive right to purchase the rights to a screenplay, book, or other property for a set period. Whether you’re negotiating talent agreements, reviewing non-disclosure clauses, or navigating union regulations, knowing these terms will help you protect your rights and interests.
By familiarizing yourself with these key terms, you’ll better understand the legal language in the documents you sign, and can ensure that your deals are fair and in line with industry standards. These definitions help you understand the complexities of entertainment industry contracts and agreements. We’re constantly updating our list of contract-related terms, so check back often to stay informed.
An advance is an upfront payment to talent, usually deducted from future earnings once a project generates revenue.
Agent fee included means that the agent’s percentage is built into the talent’s payment, rather than being an additional expense for the production.
All media usage allows a performer”s work to be used across all forms of media, including TV, digital, print, and future media formats
Allowances and adjustments are additional payments or compensations made for work conditions, such as travel, meals, overtime, or wardrobe.
The SAG-AFTRA Animation Agreement covers voice actors and performers in animated TV shows and films, ensuring fair pay, residuals, and health protections.
Approval rights give key stakeholders in a production the contractual right to approve or disapprove creative or financial decisions related to the project.
The SAG-AFTRA Audiobook Agreement covers narrators and voice actors in audiobooks, ensuring fair pay, residuals, and protections for union talent.
A back-end deal allows actors or directors to earn a percentage of a project’s profits rather than receiving an upfront salary.
The SAG-AFTRA Background Actor Agreement covers extras working in film, TV, and commercials, ensuring fair pay, meal breaks, and health protections on set.
The SAG-AFTRA Basic Cable Animation Agreement ensures voice actors on animated cable shows receive fair pay, residuals, and protections for ongoing reruns and streaming.
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