legal questions.

Re: legal questions.

With a video release it is essential that "informed consent" occur, while with a paper release it merely must be a legal understanding. Informed consent means not only to they sign on the dotted line, but the are told in detail the use of the project. IF you screw up any bit, and the judge sees that in pretrail, you will go to court and tough noogies, as it will be up to the jury to determine if you are a scoundral. So if I did it on video, I would read them a miranda that I had printed up.
 
Re: legal questions.

What about Michael Moore? It seems hard that a lot of the people he interviews would give him permission to use their face and name, especially in the way he normally does. How does he get these releases.
 
Re: legal questions.

[quote author=Bsmith link=board=Nonfilm;num=1078870304;start=15#21 date=07/22/04 at 10:01:45]What about Michael Moore?  It seems hard that a lot of the people he interviews would give him permission to use their face and name, especially in the way he normally does.  How does he get these releases.[/quote]

He has lots of money and lots of lawyers, and he relied on his movie being a documentary of political criticism, in purchasing stock, and in doing public "ambush" style interviews. In general, ethical documentarians get releases except for interviews of political figures.
 
Re: legal questions.

The first film project I ever worked on was with a friend of mine shooting a doc on karaoke. We hit nearly every bar in our coastal city (with the bar owner's permission). The guy who was doing the filming just put up the public notice form on the front doors to the place, he made a short announcement before the singing was to begin, and we got individual consents of those people we filmed who were singing. Some declined, of course, but most were agreeable. The worst mistake we made was in getting "permission" at one particular Irish drinking pub from someone who said he was the owner when he wasnt. The owner showed up mid taping, with some of his friends. Its nice to have eqipment that breaks down fast! I didnt wait to see what they had to say. I started packing, beginning with the most expensive equipment first, stuffed the tapes inside my shirt, and headed for the door! haha!!!
 
Re: legal questions.

Basically if you are specifically shooting someone and they can be identified, then they need to sign something. So if you are following a person down a street they would need a release. If they talk on camera they need a release. If you are shooting them walking and other strangers are incidentally in the background you do not need the strangers to sign. If you are shooting a street corner and specifically a building, the people who walk in the frame do not need a release. If you are shooting a topic of obese people and need shots of obese people sitting outside eating pizza, they all need to sign. If you are filming an event then you should notify all involved. If it's a public event then a sign that says who you are and what you are doing will cover you. (Shoot the sign posted for protection). If you come across someone that wants to talk on camera but you don't have releases, you can have them do an on camera release saying their name, address and that they are completely aware of what this is and their participation. Of course you ned to keep the video. There are so many more scenarios. Throw some at me and I'll say yes or no to a release.
 
Re: legal questions.

Great copy of a release "editPredator". As for notices on the doors, for general audience "background people" yes, this is usually fine. HOWEVER, to be safe, having a release signed is important. For your actual talents, do it. For anybody that approaches the camera, on the shoots I've been on, a PA would run up and have them sign a release. BEAR IN MIND that if someone is at a bar where you guys are filming and regardless of whatever notice you have stappled to the bar door, if they ask you that they DO NOT want to be on film, then you have to respect their wishes. Especially if they did not sign anything.

Don't forget location release forms too!! Make sure you have an agreement with the location your at, etc. Free is always best too :)
 
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