# Deliverables

Source: https://storiara.com/glossary/deliverables
Last updated: 2026-09-14
Author: Nick Harty, Storiara

> Deliverables are the materials a production is contractually required to hand over to a distributor, sales agent, or broadcaster. The list, attached to the distribution agreement, includes picture and sound masters, M&E tracks, subtitles, artwork, and paperwork such as chain of title, music cue sheets, and E&O insurance.

## Two halves of the list

A delivery schedule usually splits into technical and documentation items. The technical half is what most people picture. The documentation half is what trips up first time producers.

| Technical items | Documentation items |
|---|---|
| Graded picture master in the specified format | [Chain of title](https://storiara.com/glossary/chain-of-title) documents |
| Stereo and 5.1 mixes, printmaster | [E&O insurance](https://storiara.com/glossary/errors-and-omissions-insurance) certificate |
| [M&E tracks](https://storiara.com/glossary/m-and-e-tracks) (music and effects without dialogue) | Music licenses and cue sheets |
| Dialogue, music, and effects stems | Credit block and billing requirements |
| Textless backgrounds for titled shots | Cast and crew contracts, union residual info |
| Subtitle and caption files | Lab access letter |
| Theatrical [DCP](https://storiara.com/glossary/dcp) if required | Copyright registration |
| Trailer, key art, stills | Final cost statement if requested |

## Starting from the contract

The [post-production supervisor](https://storiara.com/roles/post-production-supervisor) should have a sample delivery schedule before the post budget is locked. Many indie films get one only when a sales agent or distributor signs on, which can be after the mix is done. That is how productions end up paying to reopen a mix to make stems they never saved, or rebuilding titles because no textless version exists.

If there is no buyer yet, ask a sales agent for their standard list and build toward it. Saving stems, keeping textless versions of every titled shot, and archiving the project files cost little during post and a lot afterward.

## Where it goes wrong

Technical deliverables go through a [QC report](https://storiara.com/glossary/qc-report), and failures come back with timecodes: a dropped frame at 01:22:14:03, audio peaks above spec, a caption file out of sync. Each fix means facility time and resubmission.

Documentation fails more quietly. A missing signed release for a background actor who is recognizable, a song cleared for festivals but not for worldwide distribution, or a location agreement with a limited term will stop delivery until it is resolved. Pull these from the production files during prep and keep them organized as the shoot goes. The [location release](https://storiara.com/glossary/location-release) and [talent release](https://storiara.com/glossary/talent-release) collected on set end up on this list.

## Link to getting paid

Many distribution deals pay part of the minimum guarantee on delivery and acceptance. Until the distributor accepts every item, that money stays with them. Build the deliverables list into the schedule after [picture lock](https://storiara.com/glossary/picture-lock) as its own phase, with time for QC fixes, instead of treating it as a last errand.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who decides what the deliverables are?

The buyer. Each distributor, sales agent, or streamer attaches its own delivery schedule to the contract, and requirements vary by territory and platform.

### What happens if a deliverable fails QC?

The distributor rejects it and the production has to fix and resubmit. Payment tied to delivery is usually held until everything is accepted.

### How much should I budget for deliverables?

It depends entirely on the list. Get the delivery schedule before you lock the post budget, then have the post supervisor price each item with the facility.

### Are legal documents part of deliverables?

Yes. Chain of title, E&O insurance certificates, music licenses and cue sheets, and cast and crew contracts are standard items alongside the picture and sound.