4 Problems to Avoid When Signing a Contract
AUDIO VERSION
If you’ve landed an agency contract or have any type of modeling or acting deal in the works, it’s important to understand a thing or two about how they work before you sign on the bottom line. Otherwise, you may end up putting yourself in a situation you’ll eventually regret and one from which it is difficult to break free of. Here are five problems you can avoid before your name is in permanent ink.
Here is the first problem to avoid when signing a contract.
You don’t want to get yourself in a sticky legal situation by not reading the contract fully and understanding it’s terms and conditions. One of the most important things to do before signing is to put your excitement aside just long enough to ensure you’ve had a chance to read the paperwork thoroughly, line by line. Yes, it can be tough to contain that excitement when you’ve landed your first deal, and rightfully so! But because you’ll want to get started right away, that calls for all the reasons to want to protect yourself. Entering a deal that is the most appealing for your own goals career-wise, and one you fully understand and accept, is likely to be one which you’re happy with for a long time to come.
Here is the second problem to avoid when signing a contract.
While you’re reading everything over, remember that the documents furnished to you are automatically written for whomever handed them over to you and with their best interest in mind. This means that the party who created the contract likely had it reviewed by their legal counsel and you’re being handed the final draft of a carefully crafted copy. Although this doesn’t mean that it was prepared in a way that is detrimental to you, it’s just something you should keep in mind. As you’re reviewing the terms and conditions make sure that you’re okay with the way things are worded and if they need to make any modifications to accommodate.
Here is the third problem to avoid when signing a contract.
The third problem to avoid when signing a contract is getting yourself into a situation in which you are giving up more than you’re gaining. If you’re not okay with signing away your rights to your images, to work with more than one company simultaneously or if you’re not comfortable with your likeness being used in any way the company deems fit, speak up. These sneaky clauses are sometimes sprinkled into legal jargon that can be tough to spot.
Here is the fourth problem to avoid when signing a contract.
Many contracts require that any disputes are handled in arbitration. In other words, if there is anything happening that is not to your liking and you want to do something about it, you won’t be able to take the opposite party to court. Arbitrators are also hired by the companies who create contracts, so it can at times be impossible to get a fair outcome. If you have any questions about the way disagreements are handled, always contact a contract lawyer.
These are some of the most common problems that many entertainers face. Knowing what to look for before you have a contract in front of you can help. Knowledge is power!
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