What does in perpetuity mean?

Honestly, do you read your contracts? What does in perpetuity mean? Let’s figure it out before you’re 5 years down the road and…

Podcast

Understanding your contract

So you book and job and get your contract. It says, “in perpetuity”, do you sign it or pass on it? What does in perpetuity mean?

Booking a job as an actor is always a massive joy, especially when they seem far and few in between. Trust me, I’m greedy, I want every single job, but I know it’s always not the best idea. There are a lot of things to consider, in determining whether I accept a job or not. Here are a few things to pay attention to before signing your contract.

I thought it was a quick $100 and I would never hear about the project again.
Caslin Rose

Understanding your Contract

A contract is a legal agreement between two or more people that sets out what each person is obliged to do. It can be in the form of a written document, email, or verbal agreement (avoid this at all costs).

It’s important to read your contract carefully and understand its terms and conditions before signing anything. If you don’t understand anything in the contract, get help from someone who does, preferably from your experienced representation.

Keywords to Pay Attention To

While you may be tempted to skim through your contract, it’s always a good thing to pay attention to a few keywords. You want to make sure you are fairly paid for your time and likeness. Keep in mind, if you sign a shoddy contract for one brand and you are the face of that brand for $200, you can no longer audition for a competing brand at a much higher rate, depending on what your contract says.

Here are a few keywords to look out for in your contracts:

Rates
Usage
In perpetuity
Conflicts

Still need some help? Make sure to check out this episode of Always Acting Up podcast where I chat with 2 lovely actresses who know a thing or two about signing contracts, in perpetuity, and SO much more.

Take a listen!