What is meant by final documents and why are they important?
Final documents are the completed Programme As Completed (PAC) forms together with associated contract and rights agreements attached with the form for certain projects.
For your information, there are now two types of PAC form.
They are important because they are the only full record of the production. They are proof that all parties have been contracted and all (C4 required) rights cleared. Without this information, additional transmissions, and C4's reporting to collection societies would be a problem.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PAC FORM NOW INCLUDES THE PRODUCTION MONITORING FORM AND PROGRAMME PORTRAYAL FORM. BOTH THESE FORMS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PAC FORM IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THE VALUABLE BENEFIT OF MONITORING ETHNIC PORTRAYAL.
Why are there two types of PAC form?
There are two types of PAC form depending on the rights C4 is acquiring in your project:
- If C4 is acquiring the Core Transmission Rights only, then you must complete the Core Transmission Rights only PAC form. Please note that you do NOT need to send any associated contracts and rights agreements with the PAC form for Core Transmission Rights only projects, you only need to complete the form. (However, if you wish to attach any copies of specific contracts and rights agreements that you would like us to be aware of, please do so). PLEASE NOTE THAT C4 STILL REQUIRES AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE SCRIPT FOR CORE TRANSMISSION RIGHTS ONLY PROJECTS.
- If C4 is acquiring the Core Transmission Rights and C4I are distributing the programme, then you must complete the Core Transmission Rights/C4I Distributing PAC form. Please note that you MUST include all associated contracts and rights agreements with the PAC form if C4 are acquiring the Core Transmission Rights and C4I are distributing the programme.
Who do I send PAC Forms and final documents to?
- The file containing the completed PACs and accompanying underlying documents should be sent to the relevant Commercial Affairs Manager to Channel 4, 124 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2TX at the end of production. Please retain one complete copy for your own files
- All music cues are to be delivered via the Soundmouse music returns system, in place of the old paper music cue sheet.
How do I obtain a copy of the Programme as Completed form (PAC)?
Please go to the Forms section to obtain the appropriate blank PAC form.
What do I need to deliver when C4 are acquiring the Core Transmission Rights and C4I are acquiring the Distribution Rights?
Producers are required to deliver underlying documents to accompany the PACs (even where no payment is required) so the following should be obtained during the course of production of the programmes:
- A release form or contract for every contributor (including performers and writers).
- A licence for each piece of music and if original music, a composer's contract.
- A licence for each piece of music and if original music, a composer's contract.
- A licence with third party clearance details for each piece of archive or library material and each still.
- A location release form for filming on any property.
- A contract for key crew members - unless they are staff.
- Script(s), facility house letter, inducement letter and any clearance documentation specific to the production e.g. option agreements
What do I need to do?
PACs should be compiled together with the relevant underlying documents (if applicable) in a lever arch/ring binder file using dividers to separate each episode making sub-divisions for the different sections within each episode (release forms/archive licences/stills licences etc). Please:
- Compile an index for each episode and file underlying documents for each episode following the ordering of the PACs, episode by episode.
- Where an underlying document is relevant for more than one episode (e.g. presenter's agreement), please photocopy the relevant document to file in respect of each episode or refer in episode index to episode number where contract is filed.
- File underlying documents relating to material not used in final edit of programmes in a section at the end of the file marked 'UNUSED' as C4 may require this information if programmes are reversioned. The index for each episode should list all the underlying documents being submitted with the completed PAC form and clearly list which documents are still outstanding and what action is being taken to obtain these
I've heard about 'Soundmouse' - what is it?
For more detailed information, please go to the Soundmouse section on this site
How much money will be retained by C4 until final docs/delivery?
10% of the total C4 licence fee.
