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Author
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Topic: That first contract . . .
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ejh4isu
Junior Member
Member # 14937
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posted October 05, 2007 01:37 PM
Hey guys
I'm negotiating my first contract and everything seems to be fairly straight-forward. I'm wondering if you think I should still have a attorney look it over?
Posts: 8 | From: Iowa | Registered: May 2007
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Tornadocane
Senior Member
Member # 7942
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posted October 05, 2007 01:51 PM
If it's your first contract...I would say NO, just be happy you got one and suck it up. We all gotta pay our dues somehow..
Posts: 1490 | From: In a Lift Line... | Registered: Jan 2005
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sandwichpick
Open Line Veteran
Member # 6691
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posted October 05, 2007 01:57 PM
I let the chief at my internship look it over. It's in their favor, that's for sure. Don't sign a 3 year to start! 2 years, or even better 18 months should be a fair deal. Good luck on your first gig!
Posts: 2557 | From: Louisiana | Registered: Jul 2004
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WisconsinWX
Open Line Veteran
Member # 9763
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posted October 05, 2007 02:21 PM
I had an attorney look over mine. I knew it was pretty straightforward, but I wanted to make sure that there were absolutely no surprises. Plus, make sure you get any verbal commitments they give you down on paper as part of your contract. Good luck!
Posts: 1939 | From: the Small Apple | Registered: Mar 2006
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swingman
Senior Member
Member # 3145
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posted October 05, 2007 02:22 PM
I agree with both of the previous posters! With your first gig, you have very few cards. The purpose of this first job is to prove yourself and improve yourself. Read the whole contract to make sure that there isn't something that is screaming at you.
Three years would be a long first contract. If it is three years, try to get it down to at least 2 years.
Good luck!
Posts: 836 | From: No Longer Northwest | Registered: May 2003
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aggiezg05
Member
Member # 8177
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posted October 05, 2007 07:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by wingman:
I agree with both of the previous posters! With your first gig, you have very few cards. The purpose of this first job is to prove yourself and improve yourself. Read the whole contract to make sure that there isn't something that is screaming at you.
Three years would be a long first contract. If it is three years, try to get it down to at least 2 years.
Good luck!
Another option would be to get a Top 50 or certain market "outs" after the second year if indeed you do have a three year run.
Posts: 211 | From: Tyler, TX | Registered: Mar 2005
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Bob Sakamano
Open Line Veteran
Member # 4441
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posted October 07, 2007 04:52 AM
If you have free access to an attorney, go for it. If not, do your best to understand the terms and be glad you got a gig.
They really have no reason to higher you are this point in your career, so you have very little power. I would *not* sign a 3 year deal for a first contract, even if it did have a large market out. This is because a lot will change during your first year or two, especially you. Leave your options open.
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Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Is He yours?
Posts: 2233 | From: 12 Hours From Home | Registered: Oct 2003
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aggiezg05
Member
Member # 8177
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posted October 07, 2007 09:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Bob Sakamano:
I would *not* sign a 3 year deal for a first contract, even if it did have a large market out. This is because a lot will change during your first year or two, especially you. Leave your options open.
I respectfully disagree. I just went through this 2 years ago. It is so hard to find that first time job, if they offer you nothing other than a 3 year gig, you need to take it. Of course, there are other things that will come into play with your decision and be sure and ask if you can only make it a 2 year deal. But if it's either sign the 3 year deal or have no job, by all means sign the 3 year contract.
Posts: 211 | From: Tyler, TX | Registered: Mar 2005
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TAFKA wacowx
Open Line Veteran
Member # 2671
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posted October 08, 2007 09:03 AM
Sorry Bob, but I also agree with A&M guy here. Three years is NOT a big deal. Especially at a first job, 3 years will go by like that <snapping my fingers>! It will also take 3 years before you are really set to move on....
You are just learning the business the first year. This is when you WILL make all the mistakes you possibly can. The second year, you become comfortable and it's probably around some point into your 3rd year where you might want to get a seal if you are so inclined. As you start that 3rd year, you are already looking toward the next job....six months of getting that perfect tape together, then the last 6 months where you are hopefully interviewing for your next job.
Heck, some people enjoy their first job so much, they never leave. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) You never know how much of an opportunity for advancement there may be at the shop itself.
You can try to get an out...maybe if you are far from home, make it one for a specific hometown market, that way, it's more acceptable to management. The reason that most of these first contracts are 3 years is simply because they are mainly newbies that are coming into these jobs and as I said, it takes at least a year of 'investment' before you are a benefit to the company (ratings/public acceptance...etc). In general, you don't have much negotiating power. Ask for as much as you want, but make sure you realize there are 20 other guys and gals right out of school who'd jump at the offer.
Posts: 6131 | From: Houston, TX | Registered: Jan 2003
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aggiezg05
Member
Member # 8177
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posted October 08, 2007 09:09 AM
quote:
Originally posted by The Artist Formerly Known as wacowx:
Sorry Bob, but I also agree with A&M guy here.
A&M guy? Did we just meet? ![[Cheers]](graemlins/cheers2.gif)
Posts: 211 | From: Tyler, TX | Registered: Mar 2005
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TAFKA wacowx
Open Line Veteran
Member # 2671
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posted October 08, 2007 09:11 AM
quote:
Originally posted by aggiezg05:
quote:
Originally posted by The Artist Formerly Known as wacowx:
Sorry Bob, but I also agree with A&M guy here.
A&M guy? Did we just meet?
And you are?
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Posts: 6131 | From: Houston, TX | Registered: Jan 2003
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ThatCanadianGuy
Member
Member # 7958
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posted October 08, 2007 04:08 PM
My first TV gigs were north of the border where contracts aren't as common but I would agree that 3 years for a first gig isn't a bad thing.
If you can, try and get some sort of out in the third year or get some sort of agreement that you can get out within 60 days of the end of the 3rd year. That will make it easier to dove tail job 1 into job 2 if you're lucky enough out have something set up by then.
Let's face it, good gigs are getting harder and harder to get and you'll need at least 2 years to get your stuff together. Use the 3rd year to start looking and be glad you have a paycheck!
Posts: 283 | From: Midwest | Registered: Jan 2005
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