This page outlines the standard terms BigStage works under with every client. You'll review and sign the final agreement as part of your project intake.
BigStage will produce one (1) portfolio video for Client under the package selected below.
Essential Presence — $950
Signature Presence — $1,800
Custom projects (e.g., documentary-style pieces, or scope outside the packages above) will be defined in a separate written proposal and are governed by this Agreement unless that proposal states otherwise.
Package purchased by Client: ______________________
Client is solely responsible for providing all raw footage, photographs, testimonials, and other materials ("Materials") needed to produce the video, submitted through BigStage's intake process.
Client is responsible for the quality and completeness of the Materials submitted. BigStage is not responsible for delays or limitations in the final video caused by insufficient, low-quality, or late Materials.
Client represents and warrants that Client owns or has the necessary rights, licenses, and consents — including any required releases from individuals appearing in the Materials — to use the Materials and to grant BigStage the right to use them in producing the video.
BigStage represents and warrants that it has the authority to enter into this Agreement, will perform the Services in a professional manner consistent with industry standards, and, to its knowledge, original material created solely by BigStage for this project will not knowingly infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party. BigStage will obtain appropriate licenses for any third-party materials it selects and incorporates into the final video.
The total project fee is due as follows:
Client shall review each draft and provide one consolidated set of revision requests within seven (7) calendar days after delivery. A draft will be deemed approved if Client does not provide revision requests within that period. Once the included revision rounds under Section 5 are complete (or deemed complete under that section), the project will be deemed complete and the remaining balance will become due within seven (7) days, provided BigStage has substantially performed the Services described in this Agreement. Final files are delivered upon receipt of the remaining balance.
Deposits are non-refundable once work has begun, except as described in Section 12 (Cancellation & Termination). Late payment of the remaining balance may delay delivery.
Accepted payment methods: ______________________
Each package includes the number of revision rounds listed in Section 1. A "round" means one consolidated set of change requests submitted by Client within seven (7) calendar days of receiving a draft. If Client does not provide feedback within that period, the draft is deemed accepted and BigStage may proceed to the next production stage.
Revisions include things such as trimming or rearranging existing footage, reasonable text corrections, minor graphic adjustments, and reasonable pacing changes.
The following constitute additional services, billable separately: changing the underlying creative concept; replacing substantial portions of approved footage; submitting new footage after editing has begun; materially changing the target duration; requesting additional versions or aspect ratios; creating additional deliverables; or changes required because Materials originally supplied by Client were inaccurate or incomplete. Additional services may be billed at BigStage's then-current hourly rate of $125 per hour, or a flat fee quoted before the additional work begins.
Client acknowledges that video editing and storytelling involve subjective creative judgment. BigStage will perform the Services professionally and substantially in accordance with the agreed scope, but Client dissatisfaction based solely on subjective artistic preference will not constitute a breach of this Agreement where BigStage has complied with the agreed scope and the revision process described above.
BigStage will begin work upon receipt of the deposit and all required Materials from Client. Estimated turnaround time is 10 business days from that point, though timelines may vary based on project complexity and how quickly Client responds to revision requests. Delays caused by Client — such as late Materials or delayed feedback — will extend the delivery timeline accordingly.
Final files are delivered in MP4 (H.264) format at standard web resolution unless otherwise agreed in writing. Alternate versions — including vertical, square, or captioned cuts, additional aspect ratios, short-form edits, or raw footage exports — are not included unless specified in Section 1 or a separate written proposal.
BigStage is not required to retain raw project files or working files for more than ninety (90) days after final delivery.
Upon BigStage's receipt of full payment, BigStage grants Client a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, display, distribute, transmit, publish, and otherwise use the final delivered video for Client's business, marketing, advertising, social media, website, speaking, and promotional purposes. BigStage retains copyright and all other right, title, and interest in the final video, including its underlying project files, raw edit sequences, and original creative assets such as editing methods, reusable animation systems, templates, presets, and workflows ("Background Materials").
Third-party materials incorporated into the final video — including licensed music, stock media, fonts, and templates ("Third-Party Materials") — remain owned by their respective owners and are subject to the applicable third-party license terms. BigStage grants or passes through to Client only those usage rights permitted under the applicable licenses, and will only use Third-Party Materials it is authorized to incorporate into Client work.
Client's submitted Materials (footage, photos, testimonials) remain the property of Client.
BigStage may display the finished video, or excerpts of it, in BigStage's own portfolio, website, and marketing materials once Client has publicly released it, or earlier with Client's prior written permission, unless Client requests in writing to opt out of this use entirely.
Each party agrees to keep confidential any non-public business or personal information shared by the other party in connection with this project, except information that: is or becomes public through no breach of this Agreement; was already lawfully known to the receiving party; is independently developed without use of the other party's confidential information; is lawfully obtained from another source; or must be disclosed by subpoena, court order, or other legal requirement.
Each party may disclose confidential information to its attorneys, accountants, employees, and contractors who reasonably need it and are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as protective as this Agreement.
Client will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless BigStage from and against any third-party claims, damages, and reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising out of: (a) Materials Client supplies that Client does not have the rights to use or share; or (b) instructions Client gives BigStage that result in a third-party claim.
BigStage will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Client from and against any third-party claims, damages, and reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising solely out of original material BigStage creates for this project that BigStage did not have the right to use.
This section does not limit either party's rights or remedies otherwise available under this Agreement or applicable law.
Except for a party's indemnification obligations under Section 9, confidentiality obligations under Section 8, payment obligations under Section 4, or willful misconduct, each party's total liability under this Agreement, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, will not exceed the total fees paid or payable by Client for the applicable project. Neither party is liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages — including lost bookings, lost revenue, or reputational harm — arising from this Agreement or the use of, or inability to use, the delivered video.
If Client fails to provide requested Materials, approvals, or feedback for thirty (30) consecutive days, BigStage may place the project on hold and may require payment of amounts then earned before resuming work. A project inactive for sixty (60) consecutive days may be treated as abandoned after written notice to Client, and resuming work will be subject to BigStage's availability and may require an updated timeline or fee.
Cancellation by Client. Client may cancel this engagement by written notice at any time before BigStage begins substantive edit work; in that case, the deposit will be refunded minus a $150 administrative fee. Once edit work has begun, the deposit is non-refundable, as it compensates BigStage for time and resources already committed. If Client cancels after a first draft has been delivered, Client owes the full project fee.
Termination by BigStage. BigStage may terminate this Agreement for nonpayment, material breach, Client's failure to cooperate, requests to create unlawful or infringing content, abusive conduct, or prolonged inactivity under Section 11. If BigStage terminates, Client owes fees attributable to work completed through the date of termination, and BigStage will refund any prepaid amount clearly attributable to Services not performed, unless a cancellation fee described above applies.
BigStage is an independent contractor, not an employee, partner, or joint venturer of Client. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment, agency, or partnership relationship between the parties.
Neither party will be liable for delays or failure to perform caused by events outside its reasonable control, including natural disasters, illness, internet or platform outages, or other circumstances beyond that party's control.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes arising under this Agreement will first be addressed through good-faith negotiation between the parties before either party pursues formal legal action. Any judicial proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois, and each party consents to personal jurisdiction and venue in those courts.
This Agreement, together with any signed proposal for custom work, constitutes the entire agreement between BigStage and Client regarding this project and supersedes any prior discussions or understandings. Any changes to this Agreement must be made in writing and signed by both parties.
Questions about any of these terms? Reach out at hello@bigstagevideo.com before booking.