Cover Your Ass, with an MOU

Word Count: 269 | Read Time: 2 Minutes

Films die from lack of transparency in partnerships, will yours?

Filmmaking is hard. Vagueness in team dynamics makes it worse. A Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is a clear solution through the storm with transparency in roles and responsibilities.

ZOOM IN

• An MOU is an initial agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formalized document.

• An MOU is not legally binding but signals usually one or two things— the parties are aligned to proceed in a certain direction, and if required are ready to move forward with a formal contract (if so desired).

• An MOU is a blank document where parties, who intend to come together, outline their desires and needs, from the impending relationship.

The use case for creatives can be unique and varied. Some of the most common approaches are between writing partners, production teams, co-creators, and more.

WHY IT MATTERS:

Whether I am bringing people into one of my projects or I’m joining an already established team an MOU is essential BEFORE commencing the relationship. It’s only fair for everyone to have the ideas, roles, rights, and more all clearly defined in black ink. Again, MOUs are not legally enforceable but they do provide clarity and act as a canary in a coal mine if any party is deviating from the proposal.

GO DEEPER:

• For example, writing partners might use an MOU to outline— ownership of the material (i.e. the rights), the process of writing, and what the desired business outcome is (i.e. sell it, make it, who gets paid what, etc).

• Download an MOU from one of my projects, here.

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