Like just a building on the street, for a movie, as long as no logos or any words are caught in the final product.
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Can I shoot a building or does the owner have to sign a release form?
- Thread starter harmonica44
- Start date
You should be able to if there is no identifiable information. But it wouldn't hurt to ask
Even if you don't need them, you should shoot for getting releases for everything and everyone. Otherwise, you never know when someone might decide they aren't happy about being in your film, or having the side of their building in your film, or whatever..
In America (check your local laws) what you described is fine.
Seriously though, a 5 minute call to your film commission could answer this and so many more of the permission questions asked here and answer it definitely opposed to speculation by people who don't live in your city/county/state/region/country/continent/hemisphere.
Seriously though, a 5 minute call to your film commission could answer this and so many more of the permission questions asked here and answer it definitely opposed to speculation by people who don't live in your city/county/state/region/country/continent/hemisphere.
You should really get permission to shoot some ones building, and don't be surprised to see the feds show up.....
Oh, wait......... Sorry......
Oh, wait......... Sorry......
Yes, you need to get permission. Given the wording in your question I will assume you do not have production insurance and are not operating under a LLC - which I NEVER advise. I say this because you are personally liable for anything that may happen (gear broken, injury, fines). What are the chance of being sued for showing the side of an unrecognisable building without permission? Almost zero.
However, the chances of being asked to stop filming are VERY likely, so have a back-up plan. Three things needed for filming on the street are:
1. Production Insurance (with 5 million liability)
2. Permit
3. Location release/ agreement
Many film co-ops offer production insurance for members at very reasonable rates. It makes filming so much easier and permits can easily be negotiated for free outside of major film or city centres. Why limit your ability and the product by doing things incorrectly?
https://www.facebook.com/chainoftitle
However, the chances of being asked to stop filming are VERY likely, so have a back-up plan. Three things needed for filming on the street are:
1. Production Insurance (with 5 million liability)
2. Permit
3. Location release/ agreement
Many film co-ops offer production insurance for members at very reasonable rates. It makes filming so much easier and permits can easily be negotiated for free outside of major film or city centres. Why limit your ability and the product by doing things incorrectly?
https://www.facebook.com/chainoftitle
Oh well, in this case, I already got the footage. It's already all been shot, I just thought maybe I should ask for permission before using the footage. But now that it's all been shot, should I still ask, if no one got hurt or anything? You can see a woman walk by in the background, but her face is not sharp enough to recognize who she is, and she is wearing a hat.
Cities often have their own rules for filming any sort of production, requiring things like permits. So you might run afoul of that. I've never heard of an issue (barring police harassment, which is commonplace in some areas) that prevents ENG shooting.
In general, you can legally film anything you want in public, including people and buildings. In practice, though, you could easily get sued for libel if you publish someone who didn't want to be in your film.
In general, you can legally film against any background, such as buildings, without worrying about copyright issues. In practice, you might get a shakedown.
In general, you can ask legal advice all over the internet and get all sorts of people who are quite certain of the law. In practice, you're the one paying the penalty when you're steered wrong for soliciting free advice over the internet.
In general, you can legally film anything you want in public, including people and buildings. In practice, though, you could easily get sued for libel if you publish someone who didn't want to be in your film.
In general, you can legally film against any background, such as buildings, without worrying about copyright issues. In practice, you might get a shakedown.
In general, you can ask legal advice all over the internet and get all sorts of people who are quite certain of the law. In practice, you're the one paying the penalty when you're steered wrong for soliciting free advice over the internet.
I seem to remember reading in an old edition of "Copyright & Clearance" about someone getting sued over sue of a building in a movie.
Is it an establishing shot of a building where a scene is supposedly taking place? That might be a problem. I had a lawyer tell me not to use an establishing shot of a building where a scene was supposed to take place.
If you're just driving by (not a static shot) then that's different. It's OK to capture footage of driving down the street.
Is it an establishing shot of a building where a scene is supposedly taking place? That might be a problem. I had a lawyer tell me not to use an establishing shot of a building where a scene was supposed to take place.
If you're just driving by (not a static shot) then that's different. It's OK to capture footage of driving down the street.