You have three quotes on the table, a video to launch, and a doubt: which one to choose? Price matters, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Here are ten questions to ask before signing, with what a good answer should contain, and what should alert you.
1. Have you already shot in my sector?
Ask for a portfolio, but above all look for projects close to yours: same world, same constraints. A restaurant isn’t filmed like a factory. Red flag: a portfolio with no complete film, only clips of a few seconds.
2. Who will be on the shoot?
Is the person who meets you at the appointment the one who will come to film? How many people will be there? Who edits the film? Red flag: a vague answer, or undisclosed subcontracting.
3. With what equipment?
No need to memorise model names. Simply ask why this equipment, for this project: camera, lighting, sound, possibly a drone or stabiliser. A good provider explains how it changes the result, without jargon.
4. How many rounds of revisions are included?
The edit is approved over several versions. The quote must specify how many rounds of feedback are included, and what happens beyond that. Red flag: “unlimited changes” with no framework, or conversely no possible revisions at all.
5. What distribution rights, and what assignment?
This is the question most often forgotten. A film is a work, and its author holds rights over it. For you to be able to use it, an assignment contract must specify where, for how long, and on which media. Under French law, each assigned right must be the subject of a separate mention, with its scope, purpose, place and duration. Ask for this to be written in black and white. The people filmed must also have given their permission.
6. Who owns the raw footage?
Raw footage is the unedited material, before the edit. Some teams keep it, others deliver it. No answer is “the right one”, but it must be in writing. If you plan to re-edit in two years’ time, you’ll need to know whether you’ll be able to.
7. What are the lead times?
Ask for a schedule: preparation, shoot, first version, delivery. And what happens if your approval comes late. Red flag: very fast promises with no preparation stage at all.
8. And the music?
Music “found on the internet” isn’t necessarily royalty-free for commercial use. Ask where it comes from, which licence applies, and for which uses. A good provider can tell you precisely.
9. Which versions are included?
Short version, vertical formats, clips for social media, photos taken from the shoot: is all this included, optional, or impossible? This is often where the real value for money is decided. See how one shoot can feed thirty pieces of content.
10. Are you insured?
Ask for a professional insurance certificate. A shoot involves equipment, sometimes the public, and locations. If an incident occurs, it’s better to know who is covered.
Tip Send these ten questions in writing to each provider, and compare the answers side by side. It tells you as much as the quotes themselves.
Red flags, in brief
- A vague quote, with no detail of what is included.
- No assignment contract, or “we’ll see later”.
- A price far below the others, with no explanation.
- No questions about your goals: they’re selling you a film, not an answer.
- Pressure to sign quickly.
A good provider isn’t offended by these questions: they like them, because they clarify the project.
At that dog, we’re happy to answer these ten points before any commitment, in writing, and you can see our equipment to judge for yourself. Better an honest “no” at the start than a misunderstanding at the edit.
This article offers general guidance and does not replace legal advice.
Going further
- Legifrance: Article L131-3 of the Code de la propriété intellectuelle (assignment of copyright)
- Service-public.gouv.fr: image rights and respect for privacy
Ask us the ten questions
We answer them frankly, before you sign anything.