Friendship and Business: 3 Steps to Protect Your Creative Bonds and Your Film Project

In the tight-knit world of UK film and television, creative partnerships start as friendships bound by late-night brainstorms and shared passion. However, friendship can also become the main hurdle to develop your project and your career. 

Alex, Jordan, and Taylor are developing Crossroads, an anthology series about intersecting lives in East London—and their rapport is getting tested. Alex, the dream-weaving writer, insists on pausing to perfect every scene; Jordan, the seasoned producer and long-time friend, pushes to strike while the iron is hot; Taylor, their go-to VFX whiz, fears any delay will derail both the show and his own career. It was already tense before a Netflix Producer made them an offer. And it all blew up. 

As messages fly on the WhatsApp group and tempers flare, they risk not only losing momentum but also fraying the friendship that brought them together in the first place.

They turn things around by committing, as friends, to three simple yet powerful steps—each designed to respect their bond while safeguarding their creative collaboration:

1. Craft a Friendship-First Agreement

   
   

   They begin with shared values: trust, transparency, and mutual respect. From there, they build a best-and-worst-case framework in writing—defining greenlight milestones and setting a hard stop date if progress stalls. This ensures that no one feels short-changed or over-committed, and that their friendship remains protected.

   
   

2. Set Clear Roles, Milestones & Celebration Points

   
   

   They match each friend’s strengths—Alex leading script revisions, Jordan handling pitch meetings, Taylor delivering mood reels—with realistic deadlines. Every milestone comes paired with a small celebration (a pub night, a cinema outing, a virtual toast), reminding them that success is sweeter when shared—and that their friendship matters as much as the next investor call.

   
   

3. Include Exit & Side-Hustle Clauses with Heart

   
   

   Real life doesn’t pause for Netflix deals. They write in an exit mechanism allowing any partner to step back gracefully if personal commitments demand it—and a side-project clause letting each pursue other gigs without guilt. This balance respects individual needs while advancing their collective ambition.

With their friendship-first agreement signed over coffee—no recriminations, just camaraderie—they produced a proof-of-concept short that wows a UK streaming service and secures a development deal. Most importantly, they keep their friendships intact. In an industry where reputations and relationships are everything, a simple written plan isn’t cold legalese—it’s a pact of honour between friends. 

By putting each other first on paper, they create the space to chase their shared dream without risking what matters most: the bond that fuels it.

Life, after all, is short. Let's live it well.

Want more? 

📆 MAKERS CLUB on Proof of concept - This Thursday 8th may online at 18.30 - DM for link if you are not part of the WhatsApp group already 

🍻 Our Regular NETWORKING NIGHT (this time focussed on Cannes preparations) at Elysee is on Monday 12th - Link to ethical tickets here  - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1323565482989?aff=oddtdtcreator

See you there 

Team S2F 

PS - name from the blog have been changed :)

PPS - Photo courtesy of 'In the mood for love' - directed by Wong Kar Wai