Releasing footage to actor for demo reel

[blake2404]

I just need some advice regarding accreditation.

I have a good working relationship withe the talent, but she needs a scene for her demo, which I totally understand. I just feel I should be credited for the film. I thought a watermark at the bottom of the frame? Or should I just give the footage with the agreement that she will add the credit in her own way?

I've seen demo's without any reference at all to the film/filmmakers......am I just being anal? Just concerned once I hand it over then it becomes public and the film trailer isn't even public yet.

Thanks

 

[Andrius Simutis]

....am I just being anal?

Yes.
Most actor reels don't have much, if anything at all for credits. Sure, it'd be nice to get some credit and exposure to other directors and producers, but watermarks and credits would distract the focus from the acting. If I was the actor I'd be bummed to get footage with watermarks all over it. Asking for a credit at the end of the reel is about all you should do really. I wouldn't push for it or demand it. Chalk it up as a favor and move on.

Just concerned once I hand it over then it becomes public and the film trailer isn't even public yet.

That's a different story. If you're not the producer on this one, then you shouldn't be handing anything over or even showing it without the full written explicit consent of the producers. If it's your own self financed indie, then do what you like.

 

[jamedia.uk]

That's a different story. If you're not the producer on this one, then you shouldn't be handing anything over or even showing it without the full written explicit consent of the producers. If it's your own self financed indie, then do what you like.

That was my first thought. You may have the footage but do you own the rights. Also even if you do technically own the rights, it is best to check with the producers first anyway. They may say OK, or no, or even prefer you use a different clip. Best to keep them onside if you want to work with them, or anyone they talk to, again. It tends to be Producers who hire cameramen rather than Actors. Then again when she gets her Oscar and insists they use you on all her films......

 

[kevin baggott]

Just finished an indie feature and gave out scenes to all the actors.
I asked them if it was the whole scene they were sending to an agent, manager, etc to PW protect it.
If the scene was part of a reel - they're not going to use the whole scene - i don't really care if they credit the film or not.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[blake2404]

Thanks everyone. Just to clarify, yes I do own the rights.

After doing some deeper viewing on vimeo I noticed that the there are many reels without any accreditation and when there are credits it's put there by the person who makes the demo reel for the actor.

I guess I just was a lil paranoid about controlling the manner in which images from my film are released, but it seems pretty standard to leave it unmarked. I decided to just give it up unmarked.

 

[Andrius Simutis]

I just found my next big film project...I'm going to collect all these actor reels and edit them into a full length feature masterpiece!!!

 

[filmmakerguy]

Don't give out any footage on anything until it is released, they will show it to their friends. Do a screening first, that is the first place anyone should see it who isn't involved with editing. After that, you can get them a full copy for their reel, no watermark needed on the footage, that would be petty and you'd be made fun of for doing that. If you don't want to get them the full thing, you can get them just their scenes, many actors are ok with that. If you want to be hardcore, you can put a watermark frame insert in parts of the video. What some pro Hollywood editors would do is get a copy to someone before release and insert these hidden watermark frames in the footage and then export it out. One such movie was leaked to torrents and they were able to track down who leaked it because it had the hidden watermark in between frames.

Outside of that, your actors should promote the film itself, just encourage them to do that and people will know you were behind it/involved/own the rights.