Model Releases? at DVinfo.net

Chris Sgaraglino · October 10th, 2011, 06:44 PM

Ok, when shooring out int he public; city streets, parks, etc. for commercial work, I know I need modle releases.
For documentary work, not so much?

What about an Indie Short?

Sareesh Sudhakaran · October 10th, 2011, 10:07 PM

You might want to consult a lawyer for your specific case. Generally, if one is using a product for commercial purposes, then one needs to get a model release signed.

Chris Sgaraglino · October 11th, 2011, 08:25 AM

Hello Sareesh,

Really?

Everyone does and at least should know that a lawyer is always going to be the definitive answer, but thats not why folks generally ask questions on forums such as these.

It's a Indie Short - and by definition the budgets are short as well (if they even exist) - legal is typically last on the list.

I'm asking here because I want feedback from those that already have experience with this subject - hmm... EVERYONE who has ever created a short "has" had to ask themselves this question?

So what was their answer - if it was a lawyer - can they share what they were told? If not, what did they do is anything? If nothing, have they had any repercussions form not getting releases? etc...

Erich Toll · October 13th, 2011, 06:25 PM

Well it's usually about money - if you're going to make money, you need releases.

That said, I would always get a release for every recognizable face in every video that I will show in public - internet or in person.

A lawyer named James Bingham will create a custom template for perhaps $75:

jbingham (AT) estreet.com

October 10th, 2011, 06:44 PM	#1
Chris Sgaraglino Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 237	Model Releases? Ok, when shooring out int he public; city streets, parks, etc. for commercial work, I know I need modle releases. For documentary work, not so much? What about an Indie Short? __________________ Chris Sgaraglino The Outdoor Life Blog \| Widow Creek Photography

October 10th, 2011, 10:07 PM	#2
Sareesh Sudhakaran Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,385	Re: Model Releases? You might want to consult a lawyer for your specific case. Generally, if one is using a product for commercial purposes, then one needs to get a model release signed. __________________ Get the Free Comprehensive Guide to Rigging ANY Camera - one guide to rig them all - DSLRs to the Arri Alexa.

October 11th, 2011, 08:25 AM	#3
Chris Sgaraglino Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 237	Re: Model Releases? Hello Sareesh, Really? Everyone does and at least should know that a lawyer is always going to be the definitive answer, but thats not why folks generally ask questions on forums such as these. It's a Indie Short - and by definition the budgets are short as well (if they even exist) - legal is typically last on the list. I'm asking here because I want feedback from those that already have experience with this subject - hmm... EVERYONE who has ever created a short "has" had to ask themselves this question? So what was their answer - if it was a lawyer - can they share what they were told? If not, what did they do is anything? If nothing, have they had any repercussions form not getting releases? etc... __________________ Chris Sgaraglino The Outdoor Life Blog \| Widow Creek Photography

October 13th, 2011, 06:25 PM	#4
Erich Toll New Boot Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 7	Re: Model Releases? Well it's usually about money - if you're going to make money, you need releases. That said, I would always get a release for every recognizable face in every video that I will show in public - internet or in person. A lawyer named James Bingham will create a custom template for perhaps $75: jbingham (AT) estreet.com __________________ Erich Toll, writer/producer Champion Communications, www.colorado-video-production.com