Contract for this situation?

Eric Chou · 2016-04-18T14:07:08

Greetings, So, I've been leading a "Mod" team for a while now. We're all unpaid volunteers, and been recruiting as such. We're very close to Alpha, but am missing a lot of the animations. We've tried finding animators, and only got a few, not enough to finish. So, now, I'm willing to set aside a budget out of my own pocket to pay to get us over the threshold on schedule. (this summer) I want to make sure I cover myself legally, and find a proper or get written a proper contract for this kind of situation. I'm planning the budget for these 2-3 months, and will be sitting down with our creative director and lead animator to work out an exact schedule, and a per animation cost. (I won't be able to do per hour) that wood get too messy. We're not a register company yet. Is a contract even necessary for this? Is there a type that covers this kind of situation, or will I need to get a custom contract drafted? Would I be able to draft something myself and pass it by a lawyer? without a lawyer? Any cost will come out of my own pocket, and if lucky, will be reimbursed by donations after we release the Alpha. Any legal cost will also have to be coming out of the budget, decreasing what they all get. What are the pros and cons of not having a contract in this situation? I'll be having all the work checked before anyone is paid. If I don't get this done on schedule I suspect we will drag for too long, and miss out on critical windows of opportunity. Are there any critical questions I should ask freelancers? I'm new to managing paid people, how should I change my management style? Thanks for your time and consideration, -Jist

Games Business and Law Business

Started by GeneralJist April 05, 2016 11:25 PM

10 comments, last by GeneralJist 8 years ago

frob

46,226

April 14, 2016 07:06 PM

I think studios have a good culture generally, teams have a good culture generally. Most people, most of humanity, will generally treat other people well.

SOME projects are bad, SOME people are difficult to work with, SOME projects are troubled, SOME managers are terrible or ruthless.

When it comes to product licensing, most companies are pretty lenient as long as you stay away from their money sources and you stay small. Even if they are generous with fan fiction you need to stay away from their cores. If you start to mess with their plot lines you'll be shut down. If you start drawing away customers you'll be shut down. If you become a hub and it runs any risk of detracting from their hub you'll be shut down. Otherwise you'll usually get a quiet unofficial nod.