Release Forms

[shaunt]

I am interested in doing a documentary and was wondering what circumstances do you need to use talent release forms? I know I should get them signed for anyone I interview, but if I shoot shots down a city street or at an event do I need to track down everyone that walks through the frame and get them to sign a release? It seems impractical, to do so but should I? Same applies to location releases to?

Shaun

[markyf]

Theoretically, yes I believe so. I used to work on a documentary show and one of my jobs was to get releases signed. I got the most important ones but tons didn't sign them and they never gave the show any problems.

You would have to shoot someone who then went to your documentary who then identified themselves who then took exception who then sued you. Add up all these probabilities... about 1 in a million. But this is just for your average bloke in a crowd. Other situations might warrant getting one.

[mdslammer]

As the prior post states, technically, you should have a signed release giving you
permission to use their likeness however you see fit. Otherwise you run the risk
of legal ramifications.

With that said, I serioulsy doubt that any unsuspecting people who inadvertently
get filmed are first off going to be recognizable and probably will never see the film.

There have been ways to "somewhat" protect yourself in a situation like this. You
can post a placard in the general area you are going to be filming with something
of this nature on it.
"Filming documentary XXX at this location on (date/time). By being here you consent to
being filmed for this documentary". Or something to that effect. This
way you are at least making some type of attempt to alert anyone in the direct
area as to what's happening. Most people don't give a rat's ass about it but
you never know...

Just a suggestion.

Good luck.

[Dick Campbell]

be careful about backgrounds also, if you show logos. these are also copyrighted. if you are not doing ENG, it is not "fair use".

[AdamT]

be careful about backgrounds also, if you show logos. these are also copyrighted. if you are not doing ENG, it is not "fair use".

What is "ENG"??

[ibezdechi]

ENG = Electronic News Gathering