Am I correct in thinking that in some states, it's not permissible to ask an interviewee to sign a release before the filmed event?

I don't know if it matters, but personally I wait until after the an interview/shoot. Most people are a little anxious about production and I don't like to add to that anxiety introducing the legal form stuff that makes peoples head spin.

If you are doing a pre-arranged interview, then it's just a given that you have discussed this and they will sign, either before or (my preference) after. I've never had anyone balk at signing.

On another note of model releases, check with your client and see if they have their own form that needs signing as well. Some companies have their own consent forms.

Jonathan

Best practice is to get the signature before you expend time, money and other resources shooting the interview. No sense shooting if you're not later able to use the footage!

Best practice is to get the signature before you expend time, money and other resources shooting the interview. No sense shooting if you're not later able to use the footage!

That makes absolute sense Gordon, the interviewee may have 2nd thoughts about signing after being candid during an interview. My question though was about legality; I thought that in several states (possibly including California) that a release cannot be signed before the event, it must be signed post-event.

Before. Full stop.

Before. Full stop.

Precisely. I've had colleagues go back to actors (for short films) to get the release form signed so they could submit to an event, and the actor (or legal guardian) using their sudden unexpected leverage to re-negotiate.

Always, always before.