5. Guided Walkthrough How to fill out the actor release form template? Before we dive in, please note that our standard actor release form template was designed to help you in a pinch. However, it cannot replace a full assessment of your production by legal counsel to determine your specific needs. Always consult with your production attorney before relying on any third-party legal forms. Now let's jump into the easy step-by-step process for filling out a talent release form. Make sure you download your free actor release form template. STEP 1: FILL IN THE COMMON FIELDS FIRST Before you print copies of your actor release form template to bring to set, fill out common fields. These are the parts of the template that apply specifically to your film.

Talent release agreement form

There are many common fields in a standard actor release form template. They include: Production #: If you’re working for a company that runs multiple productions, this will help them sort the paperwork.

Production Title: The title of your film (be sure to note this as a tentative title, subject to change).

Director: The director’s name.

Producer: The producer’s name. In the main text of this release, fill in your film’s working title in any spot that is marked “Picture”. The rest of the blanks in the main text of the release are for your production company name (or for your name, if you’re producing without a production company). STEP 2: PRINT OUT A STACK Once you’ve filled out the common fields of the actor release form template, you can print out a stack. For your principal cast, bundle the form with any other paperwork and have them sign it all before production begins.



For extras, it’s handy to have a stack of talent release forms available when you’re shooting, as you can often end up with additional unexpected extras at the last minute. You can also email your actor release form to your actors in advance and have them arrive to set with a printed, signed copy. If you’re going digital, expand your producer’s toolkit to include an e-signing service.

e-signing service

Executing documents online can streamline the signing experience for both yourself and your production. Services like HelloSign and Docracy are popular, legally-binding cloud solutions. While going digital can save you time, it’s important to have additional hard copies available on set. STEP 3: FILL IN THE VARIABLE FIELDS If you want to be generous to your actors, you may also fill out these fields for them in advance.

Film Actor Release Form

If you already have their name, contact information and character name, you can fill these fields out on the computer or by hand in the production office before arriving to set.



Be sure actors sign their legal name and NOT their performing name. It is often useful to note this on the form and to offer a space for the actor to specify how they would like to be credited, if different from their legal name. STEP 4: GET SIGNATURES Have the actor sign and date where indicated.

Film Actor Release Form - Signatures

Make sure the producer also countersigns the form.



While not required, it’s also good practice to scan the signed document and send a copy to your actor for their records.

6. Keep Actor Release Forms organized Keep these organized! You'll need them later ... The actor release forms may seem bureaucratic, but when you’re ready to sell your film, distributors will look closely at your “chain of title,” or the stack of documents that prove your ownership of all the different bits and pieces that make up your film.



And your actor release forms are critical components of your chain of title, so make sure you have copies backed up, preferably digital. In addition to using cloud-based e-signing solutions to keep copies of executed documents online, you can scan hard copies of actor releases right on set using your smartphone and an app like ScanBot. On a shoot, you might wind up with stacks of papers blowing all over set. It can be daunting to keep physical files of so many film release forms, contracts, notes, script pages, actor release forms, and other assorted documents. What if you could keep all your documents, and your talent / crew profiles and contact details, in one place? In the cloud, accessible at any time? That's what production management software does:

Keep film actor release forms in one place and manage production contacts in the cloud