Regulations for Actors - REBECCA

Engaging Actors
You will need to ensure that all the actors and/or contributors (e.g. interviewees) who appear in your film sign a contributor's release form, giving you the rights to use their performances in your film and in the related marketing. Release forms aren't necessary for anyone who appears as part of a crowd scene or fleetingly in the background of your film.

Some clauses to look out for in actors' agreement are:

Term of Engagement: Producers should be entitled to the exclusive services of an actor for X amount of days/weeks to complete filming of the part (usually referred to as "the shooting period"). In addition the agreement should set out if the actor will be required for rehearsals and wardrobe fittings. Subject to the actor's prior professional commitments, the producer may also require the actor for retakes, post-synchronisation and otherpost-production services.

Remuneration: The agreement should set out what monies are to be paid to the actor and when. For short films payment is often due once all services are rendered by the actor i.e. at the end of the shooting period. In feature films, payment is usually paid in equal instalments at the end of each week of the shooting period.

Expenses: This sets out what expenses the producer is providing the actor e.g. transport, accommodation, per diem allowance.

Credit: This clause should state the position of the actor's credit(e.g. front or end credits) and whether it will appear on a single card in the on-screen credits. It should also state as to whether the actor will be credited on any advertising material.

Health: Actors should give assurance that they are not suffering from any injury, illness and the like which would prevent them from rendering their services and are often expected not to engage in hazardous activities during shooting.