🎥 Terms & Conditions – Freelance Camera Operator

By confirming a booking with me—whether verbally, via email, or message—you are agreeing to the terms outlined in this document. These Terms & Conditions apply to all confirmed work unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to the booking.

1. Scope of Work

This agreement covers on-location camera operation and setup. It does not include editing, colour grading, or post-production unless agreed in writing.

2. Rates & Payment Terms

All rates are excluding VAT

Labour / Day Rates

  • Standard Day Rate applies to shoot and prep days.

  • Half Rate applies to travel-only days.

  • Scouting, on site meetings, and setup days count as full-rate working days.

  • Online meetings are not chargeable

  • A rate card will be agreed in advance of the project.

  • If a booked shoot day runs shorter than the agreed working day, the full day rate still applies. Discounts are not available for shorter days unless previously agreed in writing.

Kit Hire

  • Charged on shoot days only (not setup-only days).

  • Kit hire discounts are available for multi-day bookings.

Travel & Expenses

The client will be invoiced for all relevant travel and expenses incurred as part of the project, including but not limited to:

  • Mileage: 45p per mile (no cap)

  • Parking and congestion zone charges

  • Meals if not provided

    • Maximum charged up to : £10 (breakfast), £15 (lunch), £25 (dinner)

  • Accommodation (e.g. hotels, Airbnbs)

  • Taxis and public transport

  • For overseas work, the following will also be charged:

    • Flights

    • All meals and local transport

    • Luggage transport (if additional cases are needed)

    • Hotel charges (e.g. Wi-Fi, early check-in/late checkout, luggage storage)

    • And any other business related expense while overseas

All expenses will be itemised and added to the final invoice unless otherwise agreed in advance.

Payment Terms

  • Payment is due within 30 days of invoice.

  • Late payments incur a 5% fee every 14 days overdue.

3. Booking & Cancellation Policy

Pencil vs. Confirmed Booking

  • A "Pencil" is a provisional hold with no obligation for the client or camera operator.

  • A "Confirmed Booking" is agreed via email or message.

Cancellations

  • More than 48 hrs notice: £50 per cancelled day

  • 24–48 hrs notice: 50% of the agreed labour fee

  • Less than 24 hrs: 100% of the agreed labour fee

Weather Contingency

  • Shoots reliant on weather must have a backup plan.

  • Cancellations due to weather within 24 hrs are charged at 100%, unless rescheduled immediately.

4. Working Hours & Overtime

  • A standard working day is up to 10 hours, including a minimum of a 30-minute paid lunch break.

  • If no break is provided, a £50 lunch penalty applies.

  • Overtime is charged at (Day Rate ÷ 10) × 1.5 per hour beyond 10 hours.

5. Rights & Usage

  • All footage remains the property of the client or production company.

  • Unless agreed otherwise, I may use footage for personal showreel or promotional use.

  • If confidentiality is required, it must be requested in advance.

6. Footage Backup

  • I will keep two backups for 30 days after the shoot.

  • After that, footage may be deleted without notice.

  • It is the client’s responsibility to ensure backups are made during this time.

  • No reminders will be sent.

7. Client Responsibilities

The client is expected to provide:

  • Call sheet, brief, and schedule

  • Parking and access details

  • Meals or reimbursement

  • On-site contact details

  • Visas and documentation for overseas work

8. Gear & Liability

  • A secure, lockable space must be provided for unattended kit.

  • If not, the client assumes responsibility for gear.

  • Any damage, theft, or loss caused by negligence will be invoiced at full replacement cost.

9. Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for missed obligations due to events beyond their control (e.g. illness, extreme weather, strikes, emergencies).

10. Confidentiality

If required, I will sign an NDA and will not use or share any content from the project, including for showreel or promotional use.