Free Video Editor Contract Template
A freelance contract template built for video editors — with the specific clauses that prevent the disputes most common in your line of work.
About this template
Video editing invoices need to handle a complexity that most templates ignore: the difference between creative editing work and technical deliverables. Editing is priced by complexity and duration, not just by the hour — a 2-minute commercial edit takes different skills and effort than a 2-minute YouTube vlog edit. On top of that, color grading, sound design, motion graphics, and subtitles are each distinct services that should appear as separate line items, not buried in a catch-all 'editing fee.' File delivery format and revision limits are also critical — without them on the invoice, clients assume unlimited 4K exports in every format. This template is designed for freelance video editors who want their invoices to accurately reflect the value and complexity of post-production work.
Key clauses in this contract
These are the sections specific to video editors — the ones that actually come up in disputes.
Footage ownership and what happens to raw files after delivery
Number of revision rounds and definition of a revision
File delivery specs and which formats are included
Credit and portfolio rights for finished work
Turnaround time and what happens if client delays provide footage late
Contract guide for video editors
Pricing by output duration vs. by the hour
Hourly billing penalizes experienced editors who work efficiently. Pricing by output duration — with complexity multipliers — is more common among professional editors. A standard corporate talking head video might be $150–$300 per finished minute. A high-end commercial or music video with complex effects and color work could be $500–$1,500 per finished minute. Whatever model you use, be explicit on the invoice: '3-minute final cut, corporate interview format' gives the client context and protects you if the scope changes.
Revision limits are non-negotiable
Video revisions are expensive — re-exporting 4K footage is time-consuming even when the change is small. Include exactly two rounds of revisions in your base fee and state this clearly on every invoice. A 'revision round' should be defined in your contract: the client submits all change requests at once, not one at a time. When clients exceed their included revisions, send a quick change order before continuing. This isn't about being difficult — it's about being sustainable.
File delivery and format specs
File delivery details belong on your invoice. Specify the delivery format (H.264 MP4, ProRes, etc.), resolution (1080p, 4K), aspect ratio, and whether audio is included in the export. If the client needs multiple formats — a landscape YouTube version, a square Instagram version, and a 9:16 TikTok version — those are additional exports and should be billed accordingly. This clarity prevents the 'can you just send it in vertical too?' message that appears after you've already closed the project.
What's in this contract
- Scope of work section
- Payment terms and deposit
- Footage ownership and what happens to raw files after delivery
- Number of revision rounds and definition of a revision
- File delivery specs and which formats are included
- Credit and portfolio rights for finished work
- Turnaround time and what happens if client delays provide footage late
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