Ok. Brands. I can't deal with this... Someone told me that it is best to avoid brands otherwise your film could get put on the shelf. I even heard that some film festivals won't screen your movie if you show brands in your films without the permission of the company. So lets say I have a guy smoking a Marlborro, wearing an Izod shirt, with a Yanks cap...are you telling me I can't shoot the scene? How do you find out what is acceptable in terms of brand labels in films. Anyone know? Thanks yall.
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By filmmakers, for filmmakers since 2003
Brand names in Films
- Thread starter Coolflix
- Start date
Avoid it, if you can - especially if you want to actually do something with your film after it's done.
If you live near prop-houses, you can rent look-alike products. (A can of rented Coola Cola looks suspiciously similar to Coca Cola, for example... but it ain't)
If you don't have access to that, there's plenty of ways to disguise brand-name products.
Shooting in a bar? Rotate the bottles on the shelf slightly, so the labels ain't displayed directly to the camera.
Your actor can smoke all the Marlburry brand cigs he wants - nothing a quick mock-up in Photoshop and an inkjet printer can't fix.
Got a blatant billboard advertising a real product in the background? Either re-frame the shot, or place an object inbetween to obscure it.
If your film is destined to YouTube, it's probably no biggie. But then again, if it becomes the YouTube sensation of the month - who knows whose laywers might stumble across it.
Might sound like a hassle, but it's not really that hard to take care of.
If you live near prop-houses, you can rent look-alike products. (A can of rented Coola Cola looks suspiciously similar to Coca Cola, for example... but it ain't)
If you don't have access to that, there's plenty of ways to disguise brand-name products.
Shooting in a bar? Rotate the bottles on the shelf slightly, so the labels ain't displayed directly to the camera.
Your actor can smoke all the Marlburry brand cigs he wants - nothing a quick mock-up in Photoshop and an inkjet printer can't fix.
Got a blatant billboard advertising a real product in the background? Either re-frame the shot, or place an object inbetween to obscure it.
If your film is destined to YouTube, it's probably no biggie. But then again, if it becomes the YouTube sensation of the month - who knows whose laywers might stumble across it.
Might sound like a hassle, but it's not really that hard to take care of.
I just recieved written permission from a famous company to film at their location (for a trade show). This company is quite large and worldly known and you would think they wouldn't have an issue with me filming them...right? Well the letter gave me permission to film the convention ONLY. I cannot film their logo/the brands of products they sell, their other businesses that branch out from the main one nor their staff....the letter SPECIFICALLY instructs me to only film the convention within the four walls of the hall and that is it.
I wrote a letter asking permssion to film on their property. I stated what the film was, the dates ect.
You would think a big company wouldn't care but they do. They protect their brand and cover their a@ses from all angles so you cover yours. I would use a cap with no name on it or get one made with your name on it...no name brand anything including shoes. I would angle everything to avoid showing the name.
I wrote a letter asking permssion to film on their property. I stated what the film was, the dates ect.
You would think a big company wouldn't care but they do. They protect their brand and cover their a@ses from all angles so you cover yours. I would use a cap with no name on it or get one made with your name on it...no name brand anything including shoes. I would angle everything to avoid showing the name.
kazze, is it a convention center with a corporate sponsor in the name, like Staples Center? If so, then that is not unusual. But if it's something like Boston Convention Center, then you should have no issue getting the permission to use their logo.
No it is at a resort hotel on their property...the whole company has their logo on all their hotels/theme park ect.
Now I cannot picture them taking me to court for having something of theirs in my little film...but why take chances? I don't need to film them anyway since what I am doing has nothing to do with them but I asked permission because I didn't want to find out later I wasn't allowed to film on the premises.
As for the convention itself, it is a once a year deal. The organizers hold it at this place because of its massive size and its ability to hold hundreds of people products at one time...and being a resort it has added features.
I recieved permission from the convention organizers to film their event.
Now I cannot picture them taking me to court for having something of theirs in my little film...but why take chances? I don't need to film them anyway since what I am doing has nothing to do with them but I asked permission because I didn't want to find out later I wasn't allowed to film on the premises.
As for the convention itself, it is a once a year deal. The organizers hold it at this place because of its massive size and its ability to hold hundreds of people products at one time...and being a resort it has added features.
I recieved permission from the convention organizers to film their event.
I am doing this little trial film on myself...which includes this trip out of state for the convention...in the meantime its hard to avoid brand names on anything. I am not worrying about having a VW in the film or brands like that...but I wouldn't have Coca Cola sitting on the table in the background.
We have a few local businesses here that have their own brands such as snacks and sodas so I am going to ask them permission to use their products...I guess if the business is small enough I would have an easier time with getting permission rather than dealing with the brand name giants.
Also this is something I thought of - suppose you had the opporutnity to sell your film to some tv station and it was sponsered by a company that rivals a product in your film? I don't know the legits of that but why bother with it when you have the power and control to avoid it.
Avoid it if possible.
I do a fair amount of work that consists only of changing logos, hiding things, re-branding, etc. It's easier and cheaper to peel the label off a beer bottle than it is to send me the footage to digitally paint out.
Supposedly there is an acceptable margin for shooting things in public places. But good luck tracking the actual law down and fighting the brand holder in court.
If you are looking for something cheap and quick....colored tape works in a pinch.
I do a fair amount of work that consists only of changing logos, hiding things, re-branding, etc. It's easier and cheaper to peel the label off a beer bottle than it is to send me the footage to digitally paint out.
Supposedly there is an acceptable margin for shooting things in public places. But good luck tracking the actual law down and fighting the brand holder in court.
If you are looking for something cheap and quick....colored tape works in a pinch.
If you hire a good art dept. guy/girl they will help you with Greeking and they have an eagle eye on logos and lots of different ways to hide them. I have worked with several guys and they have tons of fake brand soda, beer cans, cigarette packs etc. if they don't have it they'll photoshop you something up, and can do wonders hiding logos with various color tape. Good luck
Try writing to the companies and calling them.
Usually they won't mind because it's free advertising.
Some companies even pay to have their products displayed in films.
Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle is a perfect example.
Just make sure they sign forms so that they can't sue you.
In the case that they don't agree then avoid it.
Usually they won't mind because it's free advertising.
Some companies even pay to have their products displayed in films.
Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle is a perfect example.
Just make sure they sign forms so that they can't sue you.
In the case that they don't agree then avoid it.
It depends on if you want your film to look like a commercial, or natural. The way product placement works is they need a certain amount of screen time and close-ups. Do you want your actor slowly lifting the Coca-Cola can and displaying it for the camera in eight scenes for five seconds, with a Coca-Cola sign on the wall as a Coca-Cola truck drives by? Or would you rather have your actor naturally drink a cola you can't see the name of? Add to that the scenes have to be approved by the sponsor for you to get the check.
Do you really want anyone telling you how to display products?
Indie vs. Commercial?? You be the judge.
Do you really want anyone telling you how to display products?
Indie vs. Commercial?? You be the judge.
