Management Contracting
"Making It"
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance for The Talented
by
David Hamilton
Vague Writing
_____________
If information is vague and un sound, so is your contract. No matter what
form of entertainment you are in, work is life, life is living, and living
brings ups and downs. A contract is meant to secure the company and yourself.
When you are making a contract, whether simple or complicated, make sure all of
your bases are covered, and make sure you have a lawyer look over the contract
to make sure you didn't miss a thing when you are writing it, or signing it.
Contracts were meant to be broken, they were written to be broken, so take
your time with them.
What happens when decision meets indecision in life ????? as in , when your
friend changes his mind and decides to go out with other people leaving you high
and dry...... no contract right ? simple, your out and you find something else.
That is how over 50% of the artists I meet today handle working for other
people. I recently had a friend named Valerie who was a graphic designer for
herself in Miami, Florida. Valerie had met a few business owners from school and
they had seen some of her work. She agreed to put together a logo for this
business along with a few variations of the logo to go on letter head and
company envelopes. She also went out of her way to develop stationary for the
business, 3 different sized logos for different use, and she also put everything
on a CD. The business owner was thrilled, he loved the work so much that he
agreed to even pay her an extra $100.00. The only problem was, there was no
written agreement ! No contract, just two friends agreeing upon some work for
one another. Valerie did not get paid, and the business owner uses the logo and
designs to this day. If Valerie would have made a simple agreement and had it
signed, she would have a case against this business owner.
IE
I, Valerie, will complete, edit, and give you the final product
of your logo fully designed in color and black in white, on a disc. Work will be
completed on June 3rd, 2004 and payment for such work as listed:
$500.00 will be my compensation for work done.
( maybe even a customer satisfaction guarantee )
SIMPLE contract
Valerie would have gotten paid or had a small claims court case that could
possibly take away the business license of the owner for bad business affairs.
I suggest that you take a simple contract course at a local college or school
sometime early in your career, even if you are seeking management. This will
expose you to the written words in a more clear sense, and broaden your ability
to make better decisions about what you do as an artist.