Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to SharpCut Studios ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website, services, and all related digital media post-production and editing services (collectively, the "Services"). By accessing or using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms in their entirety.

If you are using the Services on behalf of an organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not access or use our Services.

SharpCut Studios reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time without prior notice. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website. Your continued use of the Services following any modifications constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically for updates.

2. Description of Services

SharpCut Studios provides professional digital media post-production and editing services, including but not limited to:

• Video editing, cutting, sequencing, and assembly from raw footage
• Professional color correction and color grading for cinema, broadcast, and digital platforms
• Audio enhancement, noise reduction, mixing, mastering, and synchronization
• Creation and integration of titles, subtitles, captions, and lower thirds
• Motion graphics design, animated intros and outros, kinetic typography, and infographic animation
• Video stabilization, resolution upscaling, and format conversion
• Final optimization and export for specific platforms including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and broadcast television
• Custom branded graphic overlays and visual identity integration

All Services are provided remotely. We do not offer on-site production services, filming, or equipment rental. The scope of work for each project will be defined in a project brief agreed upon between the Client and SharpCut Studios prior to commencement of work.

3. Client Responsibilities

As a Client of SharpCut Studios, you agree to the following responsibilities:

• Provide accurate and complete project briefs, including all creative direction, brand guidelines, format specifications, and timeline requirements
• Supply all raw footage, audio files, graphics, logos, and any other materials necessary for the completion of the project in a timely manner
• Ensure that all materials provided are owned by you or that you have obtained all necessary licenses, permissions, and rights for their use
• Respond to revision requests and preview deliveries within a reasonable timeframe to avoid project delays
• Provide truthful and accurate contact information and billing details
• Refrain from using the Services for any unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise objectionable content as determined at our sole discretion

Failure to meet these responsibilities may result in project delays, additional charges, or termination of services. SharpCut Studios shall not be held liable for any delays or quality issues arising from incomplete or inaccurate Client-provided materials.

4. Project Process and Workflow

4.1 Project Initiation

All projects begin with a written project brief submitted by the Client. This brief should detail the scope of work, desired deliverables, target platforms, creative direction, and any relevant deadlines. Upon review of the brief, SharpCut Studios will provide a written proposal including estimated timeline, cost, and scope confirmation.

4.2 File Upload and Transfer

Clients are responsible for uploading raw materials through our designated secure file transfer system. We accept files via our encrypted upload portal, Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, or other agreed-upon methods. SharpCut Studios is not responsible for file corruption or loss during transfer through third-party platforms. We recommend maintaining backup copies of all original files.

4.3 Production and Review

Once all materials are received and the project is confirmed, our production team will begin work according to the agreed timeline. A watermarked preview will be provided for Client review. Revision requests must be submitted in writing with clear and specific instructions. The number of revision rounds included varies by service tier as outlined in our pricing.

4.4 Final Delivery

Upon Client approval of the final preview, SharpCut Studios will export and deliver the completed files in all specified formats. Final files will be delivered via secure download link. Download links remain active for 14 days following delivery. Extended archival and storage options are available upon request for an additional fee.

5. Pricing, Payment, and Billing

All pricing is quoted in United States Dollars (USD) and is subject to the scope of work defined in the project proposal. Payment terms are as follows:

• A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total project cost is required before work begins
• The remaining 50% is due upon delivery of the final approved files
• Enterprise and monthly retainer clients are billed on the 1st of each month, with payment due within 15 days
• Late payments are subject to a 1.5% monthly interest charge on the outstanding balance
• Additional revision rounds beyond those included in the service tier will be billed at our standard hourly rate of $95 per hour
• Rush delivery fees apply for expedited turnaround requests outside of the standard timeline for your service tier

We accept payment via credit card, debit card, ACH transfer, and wire transfer. All payments are processed through secure, PCI-compliant payment processors. Prices are subject to change; however, any price changes will not affect projects already under contract.

6. Intellectual Property Rights

6.1 Client Content

The Client retains all ownership rights to the original raw materials and content provided to SharpCut Studios. By providing materials, the Client grants SharpCut Studios a limited, non-exclusive license to use, modify, and process such materials solely for the purpose of performing the Services.

6.2 Deliverables

Upon full payment, all rights to the final delivered content transfer to the Client, except for any proprietary tools, templates, plugins, or processes developed independently by SharpCut Studios. SharpCut Studios retains the right to use anonymized or non-confidential aspects of completed projects for portfolio, marketing, and promotional purposes unless the Client provides written notice to opt out.

6.3 Third-Party Assets

Any stock footage, stock music, fonts, or other third-party assets used in the production will be properly licensed. Licensing costs for third-party assets are the responsibility of the Client unless otherwise specified in the project proposal. SharpCut Studios will inform the Client of any third-party licensing requirements before incorporating such assets.

7. Confidentiality

SharpCut Studios acknowledges that Client materials may contain proprietary, sensitive, or confidential information. We agree to:

• Treat all Client-provided files, briefs, communications, and deliverables as confidential
• Restrict access to Client materials to only those team members directly involved in the project
• Store all files on encrypted, access-controlled servers
• Delete all Client files from our systems within 30 days of final delivery, unless extended archival has been arranged
• Execute a separate Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) upon Client request at no additional charge

SharpCut Studios shall not be held liable for unauthorized access resulting from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to cyber-attacks, force majeure events, or Client-side security failures.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, SharpCut Studios shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities, arising from or related to the use of our Services.

Our total liability for any claim arising from or related to the Services shall not exceed the amount paid by the Client for the specific project giving rise to such claim. This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory upon which the claim is based, whether in contract, tort, strict liability, or otherwise.

SharpCut Studios does not guarantee specific outcomes, audience engagement metrics, or commercial success of the final deliverables. All Services are provided on an "as-is" basis with respect to creative and commercial outcomes.

9. Termination

Either party may terminate a project engagement by providing written notice to the other party. In the event of termination:

• The Client is responsible for payment for all work completed up to the date of termination
• The non-refundable deposit will not be returned
• SharpCut Studios will deliver all work completed to date in its current state
• SharpCut Studios reserves the right to terminate services immediately if the Client violates any provision of these Terms, engages in abusive behavior toward staff, or uses the Services for illegal purposes

Upon termination, all Client materials will be handled in accordance with our data retention and deletion policies as described in the Confidentiality section.

10. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from or related to these Terms or the Services shall be resolved through the following process:

• Good-faith negotiation between the parties for a period of not less than 30 days
• If negotiation fails, binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules
• Arbitration shall take place in Montgomery County, Kentucky, or remotely as agreed by both parties
• The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

11. General Provisions

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The failure of SharpCut Studios to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

These Terms, together with any project proposals and agreements executed between the parties, constitute the entire agreement between you and SharpCut Studios regarding the Services and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and representations.

SharpCut Studios may assign or transfer these Terms and any rights and obligations hereunder without restriction. You may not assign or transfer these Terms without prior written consent from SharpCut Studios.