VOD Exclusive Deals: What's the Real Catch, and How to Play it Smart?

Hey everyone, as a Gaffer, my world usually revolves around getting the best light out of a Forza 500 II or making an Orbiter sing, but lately, I've been getting more involved in the backend of a passion project, a docuseries we shot on a couple of V-RAPTOR XLs. We're getting some traction, and a few VOD platforms are sniffing around for exclusive distribution. It’s exciting, but also a bit nerve-wracking.

My main concern is signing too early. I've heard horror stories about filmmakers locking themselves into long-term, exclusive VOD deals that end up being detrimental later on. Like, what are the actual, tangible consequences? Are we talking about losing out on much bigger deals down the line? Or does it restrict other potential revenue streams I haven't even considered?

We've been approached by a few smaller platforms, and while the offers seem decent now, I'm worried about what we might be giving up. What are the signs of a 'bad' deal to look out for, and more importantly, how can we avoid this common pitfall? Any advice on navigating these early negotiations would be incredibly helpful.