contracts contracts contracts
 

I've recently begun producing videos for hire. Up to this point, all productions have been verbal agreements, but I've learned that its not the way for me to go. Unfortunately, even though I am producing quality work, I'm not being taken seriously and don't like that.
I've got a production coming up and would like to have a written contract, but need some pointers.
Based on my past jobs and experience, I have an idea of the stipulations necessary in the contract. I planned on including the following:

- Quoted price as well as detailed description of what the client will be getting (8 hours of shooting, 1 vhs copy of completed work, 1 dvd copy, etc...).

- Price per hour of any time in addition to the specifics quoted above ($100 per hour of shooting - includes tape, shooting, and digitizing the extra footage). Last time this client decided he didn't need a script and a 2 hour shoot ended up taking 10 hours.

- Deadlines for my editing and the clients review of the production as well as specifics of the review process (first draft edited according to shooting log, client reviews footage, records all changes, and returns the information back to me within a specified period so I can change the edits accordingly). This is a big area for me, my productions haven't been taken seriously and have turned into multi-month long ordeals.

- Deadlines for payments (at contract signing, video shoot, final edit)

- Price per hour of any edit time and/or media copies in addition to the specifics quoted above. Last time I worked with this client, he would give me the okay, then let me edit before changing his mind numerous times. I lost a lot of money/time there, and don't want to again.

- Price for any further copies of the completed production (dvd, vhs, quicktime movie, etc) after the contract has been fulfilled.

- Indication that future amendments will be individual contracts in addition to this primary one.

Hopefully I have a slight understanding of the basic contract stipulations, but can still use any pointers you can give. I've searched the forum for sample contracts, but have only found threads where members emailed information to other members. I don't have access to that email so I'm starting this new thread. Any advice or especially a sample contract would be greatly appreciated.