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Chief Assistant Director Agreement Template

The Chief Assistant Director Agreement outlines the engagement of a 1st AD for an audio-visual production, detailing their responsibilities during pre-production, production, and post-production phases. It includes terms regarding compensation, working hours, credit, confidentiality, and termination conditions. The agreement is governed by Indian law and requires written consent for any amendments.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
15 views5 pages

Chief Assistant Director Agreement Template

The Chief Assistant Director Agreement outlines the engagement of a 1st AD for an audio-visual production, detailing their responsibilities during pre-production, production, and post-production phases. It includes terms regarding compensation, working hours, credit, confidentiality, and termination conditions. The agreement is governed by Indian law and requires written consent for any amendments.

Uploaded by

hellboyjimit
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CHIEF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made on [Date], by and between:

1. ENGAGEMENT & PROJECT

1.1 Producer hereby engages the 1st AD to render full services as Chief Assistant Director (First
Assistant Director) for the audio-visual production tentatively titled:
“[Project Title]” (“Project”).

1.2 The 1st AD accepts the engagement and agrees to provide such services diligently, professionally,
and in accordance with the standards of the Indian film and digital content industry.

1.3 This includes services in pre-production, principal photography, and wrap/post-production


documentation, as required by the Producer.

2. TERM OF AGREEMENT

2.1 The Agreement shall commence on 1st October (“Commencement Date”) and continue until the
completion of all required services (“Term”).

2.2 The Term may be extended by mutual consent in writing, especially in cases of schedule
revisions, weather delays, cast availability, force majeure, or other production-related reasons.

2.3 If extension requires additional days, compensation for extra days shall be mutually agreed and
documented in writing or through email confirmation.

3. SERVICES & DUTIES OF THE 1st AD

The 1st AD shall perform all duties customary to the position, including but not limited to the
following:

3.1 Pre-Production Responsibilities

a. Conduct a complete script breakdown—scenes, cast, props, costume, locations, special


requirements, and logistics.
b. Prepare or collaborate on the Master Production Schedule.
c. Attend and lead pre-production meetings and technical recces.
d. Coordinate with all departments (Direction, Camera, Locations, Production Design, Art, Costume,
Makeup, Sound, VFX, Stunts, Action, Crowd Management, etc.).
e. Prepare preliminary and final Call Sheets for all shooting days.
f. Identify safety risks, logistical challenges, and time-management solutions.
g. Assist in budgeting implications related to scheduling.

3.2 Production Responsibilities

a. Manage the film set operations on a daily basis.


b. Ensure that cast and crew follow the shooting schedule and remain punctual.
c. Conduct daily safety briefings and ensure safe practices.
d. Coordinate closely with Director and DOP on shot execution.
e. Manage crowd/background actors, extras, blocking, and movement.
f. Enforce set discipline and maintain workplace decorum.
g. Supervise the smooth flow of information across departments.
h. Monitor logistical movements, transportation, equipment setup, and teardown.
i. Maintain control of the set to avoid delays, disputes, and safety breaches.

3.3 Documentation & Reporting

a. Issue daily call sheets and distribute them to all departments.


b. Prepare daily progress reports (“DPRs”).
c. Log work hours, scenes completed, and pending work.
d. Maintain incident reports and accident logs.
e. Assist with shoot wrap checklist and completion documentation.

3.4 Professional Conduct

a. Maintain politeness, punctuality, and discipline.


b. Avoid alcohol or drug use on-set or during working hours.
c. Behave respectfully towards cast, crew, vendors, and public.
d. Avoid conflicts of interest or working on parallel projects during the Term.

4. COMPENSATION

4.1 The Producer shall compensate the 1st AD as follows:

4.3 Unpaid dues shall be cleared within 7–14 working days, failing which the 1st AD may pause
services after written notice.

5. WORKING HOURS

5.1 Standard shooting day shall be 12 hours including breaks, as per industry norms.

5.2 Extended hours, night shoots, double shifts, or emergency shoots will be compensated per
agreed overtime terms.

5.3 Reasonable rest periods between shoot days shall be provided (minimum 8 hours).

6. CREDIT

6.1 The 1st AD shall receive on-screen credit as:


“Chief Assistant Director” or “First Assistant Director.”

6.2 Credit shall appear in the main titles or end credits, subject to Producer’s final edit.
6.3 Omission of credit due to technical limitations or platform requirements shall not be considered
breach.

7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (WORK-FOR-HIRE)

7.1 All documents created by 1st AD—including call sheets, schedules, breakdowns, DPRs, notes—
are considered work-for-hire.

7.2 Producer shall retain full intellectual property rights, including copyright, over all such materials.

7.3 1st AD shall not use, distribute, or repurpose production documents for other projects without
written approval.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY & NON-DISCLOSURE

8.1 The 1st AD shall not disclose confidential production details including:

 script/story/plot

 unreleased visuals

 budget and financials

 cast and crew details

 on-set issues or conflicts

 unreleased BTS materials

8.2 This obligation survives for 3 years after release of the Project.

8.3 Sharing unauthorized information on social media platforms is strictly prohibited.

9. SAFETY & WORKPLACE CONDUCT

9.1 1st AD shall follow all safety protocols and enforce safety procedures on set.
9.2 Any accidents or injuries must be immediately reported.
9.3 Abusive behavior, harassment, or discrimination is grounds for immediate termination.

10. TERMINATION

10.1 Termination by Producer

Producer may terminate the Agreement:


a. For material breach, misconduct, or negligence
b. For violation of confidentiality
c. For unprofessional behavior or repeated absenteeism
d. For failure to perform duties despite written warning

10.2 Termination by 1st AD


1st AD may terminate the Agreement if:
a. Producer fails to pay outstanding dues within 7 days of written demand
b. Working conditions become unsafe despite reporting
c. Major contract terms are violated

10.3 Payments upon Termination

The 1st AD shall be paid for all services rendered up to the termination date.

11. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

11.1 The 1st AD is engaged as an independent contractor.


11.2 No employer-employee relationship is created.
11.3 Taxes, insurance, PF/ESI (if applicable) are responsibility of the contractor unless specified.

12. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

The 1st AD warrants that:

 He/she possesses the skill, experience, and ability to perform duties

 He/she is not restricted by other employment or contracts

 All personal information provided is accurate

Producer warrants that:

 The Project is being produced legitimately

 All dues owed to personnel will be honored

 Necessary permits, licenses, and insurances (if any) will be managed

13. FORCE MAJEURE

Neither Party shall be liable for delays caused by:

 natural disasters

 pandemics

 strikes

 government restrictions

 unforeseen emergencies

The schedule shall be adjusted accordingly.

14. GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION


This Agreement is governed by the laws of India.
Jurisdiction shall be the courts of Mumbai, Maharashtra.

15. AMENDMENTS

Any changes must be made in writing and signed by both Parties (email confirmation acceptable).

16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties and supersedes any prior
verbal or written discussions.

Common questions

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The Term of the Chief Assistant Director's agreement may be extended in scenarios such as schedule revisions, weather delays, cast availability issues, or other production-related challenges like force majeure events (e.g., natural disasters, strikes). Such extensions require mutual consent and often necessitate renegotiation of additional compensation terms for extra working days. This ensures that the 1st AD continues to be fairly compensated for their extended involvement, while providing the necessary flexibility for the production to address unforeseen issues without compromising on quality or safety regulations .

Compensation and overtime clauses ensure fair payment by specifying that extended work hours, night shoots, and double shifts will be compensated according to pre-agreed overtime terms. These terms consider industry norms, providing guidelines on how additional hours are monetarily acknowledged. The clause also ensures that any unpaid dues must be cleared within 7–14 days to prevent financial discrepancies, with the 1st AD retaining the right to pause services if payments are delayed, ensuring leverage to secure timely and fair compensation .

The Chief Assistant Director is responsible for managing daily film set operations, which includes ensuring cast and crew punctuality, overseeing safety briefings, and coordinating with the Director and DOP on shot execution. Additionally, they manage crowd and extras, enforce set discipline, and supervise equipment logistics. By maintaining control of these aspects, the 1st AD helps avoid delays and disputes, ensuring a streamlined workflow that significantly enhances the production's overall efficiency. Their coordination across departments aids in smooth information transfer and problem resolution, enabling timely completion of production targets .

The Chief Assistant Director's enforcement of safety protocols and workplace conduct has a significant impact on the production environment by promoting a secure and professional setting on set. This includes conducting daily safety briefings, ensuring compliance with safety practices, and addressing any accidents or injuries immediately. By maintaining discipline and decorum, the 1st AD helps prevent accidents, legal liabilities, and conflicts, thus ensuring smoother day-to-day operations. Their role also protects the well-being of cast and crew, ensuring that the production runs efficiently without delay due to safety issues or misconduct .

The intellectual property clause stipulates that all documents created by the Chief Assistant Director, such as call sheets, schedules, and reports, are considered work-for-hire. Accordingly, the Producer retains full intellectual property rights over these materials, including copyright. This means the 1st AD cannot use, distribute, or repurpose these documents for any other projects without the Producer's written approval. Such restrictions ensure that proprietary information remains exclusive to the production and protects the project’s competitive edge in the market .

A material breach by the Chief Assistant Director can lead to termination of the agreement by the Producer. This includes breaches such as misconduct, negligence, violation of confidentiality, unprofessional behavior, or repeated absenteeism. Termination for these reasons results in the cessation of the 1st AD’s duties and responsibilities before the completion of the project. The 1st AD would be paid only for services rendered up to the termination date, and their involvement in the project would end immediately. This clause ensures that producers maintain control over maintaining professional standards and protecting the project's interests .

The Chief Assistant Director plays a crucial role in pre-production planning by conducting complete script breakdowns and preparing or collaborating on the master production schedule. Key responsibilities include organizing and leading pre-production meetings, conducting technical recces, coordinating between different departments, and preparing call sheets. These tasks ensure comprehensive logistical planning, which reduces unforeseen challenges during actual production, aligns departmental objectives, and optimally schedules resources and time. Efficient pre-production planning by the 1st AD is vital for setting a strong foundation, thereby enhancing the likelihood of meeting production deadlines and maintaining budgetary controls .

The legal framework governing the Chief Assistant Director's agreement is based on the laws of India, with jurisdiction established in the courts of Mumbai, Maharashtra. This legal framework is significant as it provides a clear understanding of the legal obligations and rights of both parties, ensuring disputes are resolved under a specific legal jurisdiction. This structure offers predictability and stability, as involved parties can anticipate how contract terms will be interpreted legally, thus minimizing the risks of legal disputes .

The confidentiality and non-disclosure clause is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the production process. It ensures that the Chief Assistant Director (1st AD) does not disclose sensitive information such as script details, storyboard or plot, financials, and unreleased behind-the-scenes materials, which could lead to breaches of trust or intellectual property theft. Such obligations help protect the project from leaks that could compromise its commercial viability or creative vision and safeguard proprietary information from being used inappropriately. The clause also specifies that the non-disclosure obligation survives three years after the project's release, emphasizing the long-term protection of confidential information .

The Chief Assistant Director may choose to terminate the agreement if the Producer fails to clear outstanding dues within seven days of a written demand, if the working conditions are unsafe despite being reported, or if major contract terms are violated . To proceed, the 1st AD must provide written notice of their intent to terminate. This process is designed to ensure that the 1st AD is protected from financial insecurity, unsafe work conditions, and breach of trust, maintaining their right to exit the project without undue hardship or further contract violations .

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