The Complete Online Filmmaking Reference - Film Distribution ...

This very important clause specifies in very technical terms exactly what you must give to the distributor.
Filmmakers frequently don't have a completed 35mm negative and soundtracks to deliver and the distributor will
advance the cost to the filmmaker and get back the expense from the first revenues.
Filmmakers need to retain their master elements, film, tape, artwork, etc. Otherwise they will probably go lost at
some point before the distributor is due to return them. Master negative are usually kept at a responsible
laboratory which will make distribution prints on request from the distributor and report the number of negatives
made to the filmmaker.
Typical film deliverables list
Filmmakers are often stunned by the list of deliverables when they sell a film. Here is a typical list of the kinds
of film deliverables that may be required depending on what rights you are selling.
The original screenplay as written
The shooting script - scenes, action and dialog as it actual happens in the finished film
Credit statement - detailed billing list of everyone in the main and end titles
Publicity photos
Black and white photos (three sets of contact sheets or digitals) with the subjects identified
100 production stills depicting scenes of the cast in performance
50 informal or casual photos of principle members of the cast and crew
25 gallery or portrait sitting photos of cast in and out of character
Color photos (slides or digitals) with the subjects identified
150 production color shots of scenes
50 candid shots of cast and key production team members
35 portrait shots of principal cast
"Answer print" (color corrected, projectable 35mm theater print)
Original picture negative and composite optical soundtrack negatives
35mm color corrected interpositive print
35mm color corrected internegative
35mm textless background negative of titles sequences so translated titles can be substituted
Sound deliverables
Non-Dolby sound
Dolby sound
3 or 4 track 35mm magnetic masters with separately mixed tracks for:
dialog
music
sound effects
mixed music and sound effects
Access to original 35mm mag 4 track Dolby stereo master with surrounds
Original 35mm mag 2 track Dolby stereo master with surrounds
35mm mag Dolby stereo music and effects on track (w/o dialogue)
35mm mag mono 3 track master with separate tracks of dialog, effects and music
Music master recordings consisting of a 1/4", 1/2" or DAT of all the music used
Music cue sheets specifying the performer, composer, publisher, copyright owner, affiliated rights society, usages, place and
number of cues showing film footage and running time for each cue (a "cue" is a usage of the music)
Music agreements (one copy of each for each music selection used)
Composer
Lyricist
Publishing company
Sync and performance contracts
Music sheet - copy of original leads sheets
Composer's original score copy
Film soundtrack materials suitable for creation of an original soundtrack CDROM
Screen credits, detailed list of everyone credited
Dialogue continuity, copy of detailed dialogue and continuity reports
Laboratory access letter granting right to request laboratory to strike new 35mm prints
MPAA certificate with rating
Certificate of Insurance for Errors & Omissions (E&O)
Risidual information - comprehensive list of everyone who will be due residual payments, cast, writers, directors, etc.
Title and copyright - copy of title report, copyright search report, chain of title documents for all literary source materials
Miscellaneous materials including soundtrack album art work, working prints, outtakes reels, etc.
This list is slightly dated, but you get the idea. It's a long list and can add $100,000 to the cost of delivering
your film to a distributor. Frequently that cost will be paid by the distributor and subtracted from the initial
payment to the filmmaker.
Film deliverables info
Filmmaker Magazine has an interesting article on the myth of a seven thousand dollar film since the required
deliverables always push the price much higher.