client using family as talent in commercial

[ArtsnFartsNCrafts]

I'm wondering how I should approach such a situation in my contract. Basically, the client uses family members for talent in the commercial he's having us shoot. Should we, the videographers, provide talent releases for them to sign, or should we leave this in the hands of the client (and somehow establish this requirement in the contract)?

Furthermore, if some of the talent are children, do their parents/guardians sign the releases for them?


One other question: Given that this is our first commercial endeavor, who has the rights to the final product? Myself, the producer, or the client? I would assume this is also established in the contract. I want to make sure I can use the final product for advertising my business, regardless of who owns the rights to it.

 

[Cassius]

Use the same talent release you do for everyone else. Doesn't matter who they are. I have my friends and family sign releases when they're doing stuff just for me because you never know what might come up. If you decide to leave it up to the client, which are perfectly able to do, you'll probably want to use a 'work for hire' system which leaves them as the footage owners. Up to you. If you go that route make sure the client understands clearances are up to them and don't worry about it any further. And yes, legal guardians sign releases.

For the second, this is entirely established in the contract. I recommend a work for hire agreement in which the client owns the footage but gives you permission to use it in promotional work.