If anyone out there has any general contracts they would like to contribute, I will happily add them to the knowledge pool in the F.A.Q. with credit to whoever delivers them.

I don't know of a specific "Wedding" contract, but the two books that get used the most here at our office are;

Contracts for Film and Television Industry by Mark Litwak

and

The Complete Film Production Handbook by Eve Light Honthaner.

As I write, we are re-working a location agreement for shooting on a corner in downtwon Houston next month. Handy books.

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the suggestions. I know Mark personally, but I am in Canada and his contracts are worded for the US....so they don't work exactly....unless I modify them...

But as I recall, that first book doesn't have contracts for video work on a small scale, or did it?

How is the second book?

Hi Dylan,

I found some contracts a couple years ago but figure they're worth just what I paid for them--$0.

I still get people to sign them, knowing that it wouldn't save my "assets" if someone got nasty.

Now then, after that great intro, would you want to take a look? I've got: General Release Agreement; General Location Release; Standard Minor Release; Talent/Model Release; Standard Material Release. No idea who authored them, so I sure wouldn't want credit for anything--someone might sue me. :)

Would need to mail copies to you; paper only at this point. If you deemed them acceptable and agreed to save your 14x lens for me (I'm kidding--but do you still have it?), I'd try to type them up in my spare time and email the files to you. It's a BUNCH of words!

a contract doesnt have to be some long drawn out thing. all it needs to be is an agreement on terms and dates for example:

__________________ agrees to provide:

-
-
-
by ____(insert date)_____


__________________ agrees to provide:

-
-
-
by____(insert date)______



X______________________


X______________________

Yup, it's defining what is "agreed" that makes them long. Undefined terms lead to lawsuits.

I don't know of a book specifically for Canada, though I have one from Australia. (Commonwealth no?) SO you had best talk to a Canadian lawyer and see if he can make a recomendation.

I happen to be married to an Intellectual Property lawyer, who looks at the boiler plate contracts I pull out of books and off-line, and tunes them up for me. (Or shakes her head and writes me one from scratch. Trouble is, her prices are so high I can barely afford her... good thing she makes so much money)

I mostly shoot footage of BMX riders at our local skatepark. Well today the people who run the park told me I'm not allowed to videotape anyone without a parents consent unless they were an adult. So my question is, where can I get release forms online since I have know idea how to write one up? Also, is there a way to get one that allows me to use the footage in any of my videos that I make? I know that most release forms are made specifically for a single production but when I'm shooting bmx footage, alot of times I don't know what the footage will be used for. So is there a way I can get a release that allows me to use it in whatever video I make? Thanks.

Consult an attorney in your state. Some forms can be written to grant you all rights to the footage. I'm not sure the parents would sign such an agreement. Many activities and venues for youth are becoming increasingly restrictive because of fears of abduction, etc.

you might want to approach the local skate-park about becoming the "official photographer" for the their organization. Give them free pictures for promotional use of their park, in exchange for granting you exclusive rights to photograph within their park. In return, your photo release (written by an attorney) can be incorporated into the parks liability release.

Thanks for the quick reply Jeff. There isn't a problem getting the parents to sign. They are all my buddies so its no big deal. But I just figured, if I'm going to have them sign something, it might as well mean something. That way if for some reason the people at the park decide to scope out all my work and paperwork, I will have something to protect me. Also, this is a city owned facility so I don't know if it is considered a public place or not.

You may need to have your attorney contact the city. It might be publicly owned, but privately operated. Boiler plate agreements can be almost useless in a situation like this. It is best to contact an attorney.

Good question about publicly-owned facility but privately-operated. I would think that if you can simply walk in, then it is public public, compare to public place where you need tickets or something to get in, like a public performance in Central Park but you need tickets to get in.

Eh. Don't worry about it anymore. I got banned today for shooting video. Haha. And this was after I had just gotten all the release forms signed by the riders/their parents. I think its just because the people there dont like me for some reason. They always make up new rules everytime I come there whether I'm riding or shooting video. So today when she started harrassing me about the video camera I tried to tell her that I fulfilled all her requests but she started giving me a snobby attitude so threw a few foul words at her and she told me I'm not allowed back and I told her I would never come back anyway. It was pretty funny. And right after I walked out I called the guy who is supposed to be in charge of the place and he was a total A-hole and he didnt even know what had happened yet. So I deffinately do not want to go back to that place again. There are far better skateparks around this area that are more friendly anyway.

I am going to be shooting several non-profit street events in a couple of months. They will have signs alerting people that video is being shot, and by staying they give their consent to be taped.

1. I suggested that we should still have a separate release in their vendor agreements, since we will be taping business booths with identifiable logos, etc, and they will actually be "featured" (not incidental) in the video. Does anyone have some words (maybe one paragraph) that we could include in their vendor contract?

2. If the client has releases from appropriate people, what do I need to do to be covered by these releases? What words should I put in my agreement with them so that these releases pass thru to me, and so that I am protected if they fail to get one?

I still need help with this please.

Some suggested language allowing us rights to use their business name and log would be most helpful. Answers to other questions also needed, but not quite as urgent today.

Hey John
If you check out the FAQ for this section, there is a release form for people in there. You can probably reword it to suit your needs.

Maybe I was not clear. Or maybe I am dense. Let me try again.

I am not worried so much about the people for reasons stated. They are out in a public place, signs posted, etc.. What I AM worried about is using a business sign, logo, or trademark. What I think I need is a release that is similar to what you would get from a soup company to shoot their product in a grocery aisle. Not location, not personal, something else (trademarked product??)

ALso, I have never in all my research seen anything that tells me how to protect myself on a "pass-thru" release that my client has already had signed. Everything I read tells me how to get my own releases (and I have plenty of samples), but in this environment that is probably not practical, and client is going to say "We already have releases". I just want to be sure I am covered by them. I have other projects coming with same issue.

John,

I have a multi-line form that I use at events. It has some release verbage on the top and room for 20-25 people to sign below (name, address, signature). I usually place it at the registration table and everyone at the event signs it. In the rare case (never happened yet) that someone does not want to appear identifiablely on screen, I leave a supply of day-glo orange labels that the person places on their shirt. If I see them ahead of time, I don't shoot. If I don't notice them while shooting, I'll pick it up during editing.

Like I said, I have never, to my knowledge, had someone refuse to sign at an event.

The signs are a good idea also. That is what Disney, Seaworld and other tourist destinations use when they are in a production that might include crowd shots.

Good Luck

Hi everyone,

I need some help quick. I need to find the wording to a release sign that basically states that if you walk through this area, you are giving permission for us to record you. I need one by Sat morning, so all comments are greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Videotaping in progress. If you do not want to appear on our video, run like hell is chasing you.

OR

Videotaping in Progress. If you walk through this area, you are giving permission for us to record you.

OR

You are now being videotaped. If you object to this, yell really loud and wave your arms like a madman.

okay, I will stop. I must still be tired.... :)

THE COMPLETE FILM PRODUCTION HANDBOOK
by
Eve Light Honthaner

On page 269 - "Wording for multiple signs." There is a release for interior audiences of a show, and one to be placed in an "Area' during taping or filming.

FILMING IN PROGRESS! From ... hours... to .... hours

Production: ...
Representative: ....
Phone: ....

By entering this area (cafe, square..) you are giving permission for your image and voice to be recorded and used in this production.

----

You can add phrases like "the production shall not be liable for injury, damages or loss of property", that would go down badly in most of Europe, but maybe in the States it's wise..
You can print some flyers with more info for people to pick up and take with them...

Thanks to all who replied to this post. We finally used the one out of the Complete Film Production Handbook. Worked out great and there were no complaints at our locations by patrons.


Mike,
MJdoubleD

I've got an auto body repair video coming up at the end of the month. Tomorrow, I'm going to a local car show to shoot some artsy car clips for use in the opening credits and would like to know if you thought it best to use a generic release form or just film without one.

I did the shoot today and brought along some generic release forms...only had one person refuse to sign it.

Not bad at all...got the footage I needed, protected myself, and didn't have a problem doing it.

When I explained that I wanted their car in my project, the cars guys jumped all over it...methinks car guys are ego-centric...lol.

Most of the work I do is commercials, music and performance videos and other scripted shoots. we always get releases from anyone who will be appearing on screen and that's it. I am just embarking on a documentary and many of the shots will be of people in public places (restaurants, parks, city streets) and I was wondering how one deals with that. Obviously if you are shooting in a public place it isn't possible to hand out releases to everyone in the vicinity. Can some one point me to the rules?

Thanks,

Richard Lubash
2K-Plus • Atlanta

By-the-way, I did do a search but I am looking for information that is specific to documentaries in that I believe they fall under some of the protection that news-gathering does.

thanks,

Richard

If someone is identifiable, get a release (even a verbal videotaped one) or smudge/edit them out. If you can post signs in the restaurant (Caution, videotaping in progress) that buys you some slack. This subject has been beaten to death here, just search back a bit.

Found these on the Microsoft site. They are Word 2003 document templates. If you can use them be sure and replace my information with yours.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/j/m/jmmnt/Release Form for Media Recording 2.dot
http://bellsouthpwp.net/j/m/jmmnt/Parent Release Form for Media Recording 2.dot

I am working on my first documentary, and I need to get release forms from some of the people who I will film. I have a book that says it is necessary to offer them a token amount in order for there to be a legal exchange, i.e., "For the $___ consideration received, I give ______________________ Productoins, its successors and assigns, my unrestricted permission to distribute and sell all still htographs, motion-picture film, video recordings, and sound recordings taken of me for the screen production tentatively titled__________."

I kind of dread actually having to offer $1 to people in exchange for their signature. I would think their promise would be enough as long as they know that you are relying on their promise, and you do indeed rely on it by including them in the documentary. Kind of a legal question, but does any one have opinions on how this should be handled?

IANAL, but as I uderstand common law, a release is a contract and a contract only becomes binding when there has been an exchange of valuable consideration between the parties concerned. Since they are giving you something of value, the permission to use their image, you must give them something of value in return.

In all of the interviews I was a part of, we at SurfGuru.com never offered anyone any compensation. We also never had a release form. All we ever did, was ask for consent to use their recorded interview, and this was usually done on camera before it started.

Then again... SurfGuru was also the group who stuck a lapel mic on a screwdriver, just so there was something to stick the mic flag on ;)

99.9% of the time, you'll have no trouble without a release. But that 0.1% could result in you losing everything you own and more. ALWAYS get a release and ALWAYS do the cash exchange. Depending on the circumstances, and because it may seem embarassing to pay $1, I sometimes make it $5 or even $10.
If you don't do it, you *might* not regret it.
If you do do it, you *absolutely won't* regret it.

As Dan's post reminded me, releases are like a parachute ... it's far better to have one and not need it than it is to need one and not have it.

Yeah, that's a great way to put it. Wish I'd said that!

Many thanks!

Help!!
I took a job last fall and there was a video crew shooting a Documentary.
I finally viewed the film Friday night at the New York Film Festival and thought it was done in very poor taste.I was a designer featured in the film and was shocked at the lies that were made up about me.I was told that my image in the film was a positive one.It was not!It was made to destroy my reputation fully!
Cut and edited to leave out the facts and destroy my reputation as a freelance designer.I am very disappointed in the producer. I never signed a release,but still she used my image in this film without showing me a preview.
I have sent her a legal letter to remove me from this video but she refuses.
What next?

Well I assume your "legal letter" was sent by your attorney, right? That is who you should be talking to.

Whenever a story is published with reckless disregard for known facts it leaves the publisher open to a libel suit.

Carol Burnett won a significant libel suit against the National Enquirer and today funds a journalism scholarship through the University of Hawaii.

Help!!
I took a job last fall and there was a video crew shooting a Documentary.
I finally viewed the film Friday night at the New York Film Festival and thought it was done in very poor taste.I was a designer featured in the film and was shocked at the lies that were made up about me.I was told that my image in the film was a positive one.It was not!It was made to destroy my reputation fully!
Cut and edited to leave out the facts and destroy my reputation as a freelance designer.I am very disappointed in the producer. I never signed a release,but still she used my image in this film without showing me a preview.
I have sent her a legal letter to remove me from this video but she refuses.
What next?

I'm not a legal expert by any means, but if you were aware of the camera, and mic and that you were going to be used in this project I don't know if you can demand to be removed from the finished product. In the doc "Some Kind of Monster" Dave Mustane (whom appeared in an on camera interview featured heavily in one scene of the movie) apparently got cold feet after the fact and tried lawyering his way out of the movie, but he had no legal grounds to force the filmmakers to remove him from the movie. Also, unless it's stipulated in a contract somewhere the filmmaker has no obligation to send a copy to you for approval.

If there were out and out lies in the film definitely talk to an entertainment lawyer and see if you have a case.


Andrew

Searched my brains out, read every post found under the release search and nothing.

At some point someone (sorry) provided a link to a "legal" site that has a bunch of sample contracts/release forms for the video industry. I am looking in particular for one that can be used to give permission to use video shot by someone else.

Did I bookmark it, No, will I this time, you bet.

If this benefactor can be kind enough to post the link again......

Thanks
Jim

Try here, might have what you want.

http://www.industrycontracts.com/

Thats it! Thanks Richard

Yea, www.IndustryContracts.com is the best deal in town!

- ShannonRawls.com

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can get my hands on a release form that I could use/ modify to cover myself for the use of people/ images in remote production?

Thanks.

Chuck

Check out Pond5.com or currenttv.com. Pond5 has a standard form you might be able to alter to use for your own.

Many other places with resourses.

Hi everyone

When I’m shooting people in public places and asking questions relating to our documentary, do I need to have each and everyone sign a release form ?

Some footage, we will probably not use for the movie but will post on the web only, still do we need to sign them on a release form ?

Thank You for your help.

I would get a release from each person appearing (or potentially appearing). Even when I do corporate work where the client has set up interviews with employees and customers, I get a release.

IMPORTANT - If minors are involved, ask the parents to sign the release. With all the wierd stuff going on these days, I'm really sensitive about this.

Personally, we now have EVERYONE who appears on camera to sign a release, but we're usually under somewhat controlled conditions rather than out in the open in a public location. And like Mike said, we get releases for minors via their parents.

99.9999% of the time they'll sign the release; the difficult part is the TIME involved with doing it if you're a tiny production. But we do it to cover our backside nonetheless; it's a minor inconvenience in comparison to being sued.

Thanks Mike & Duane.
Is the fact we will be using some of the interviews online only makes a different ?

I don't think it matters WHAT media it ends up in; if it's VISIBLE, then there's the possibility of the subject filing a lawsuit against you. Doesn't matter if you distribute the video via WEB, DVD, TV, or whatever...