Chain of title
The paper trail proving you own your film — collected in an afternoon now, or reconstructed through years-later signature hunts.
The money-saving moment
As each document is signed, filed in one folder. The expensive version of this deliverable is tracking down an actor, a composer, or a co-writer years later — after they've moved, fallen out with you, or lawyered up — to sign what they'd have signed happily at the wrap party.
What it is
Chain of title is the complete set of documents showing every right in your film flowing to you: who wrote it, who appeared in it, who made its music, and who signed those rights over. A distributor's lawyer reads it before any check is written.
The folder
One folder, kept current, containing:
- Writer/story rights agreements (including options and any underlying material)
- Every cast release and crew work-for-hire agreement
- Location releases and appearance releases
- Music licenses — sync AND master, for every track (see the cue sheet guide)
- Any LLC formation and transfer documents for the production entity
- Copyright registration for the finished film
Why buyers care so much
One missing signature can make a film unsellable — not because anyone's suing, but because the buyer's insurer won't cover the gap. Chain of title isn't bureaucracy; it's what makes your film a product that can legally be bought.
Questions? hello@indiegreenlight.com