Hey guys. I have a question about a documentary I am working on. I have release forms for people to sign allowing me to use their footage in the film but what if they refuse to sign it? Do I still have the right to film them and just blur the faces of those who refused to sign? I am 16, so getting sued is something I am trying to avoid.
Documentary Questions
- Thread starter brennanrobideaux
- Start date
If they do not sign you are required to make them totally
unrecognizable in the final product.
You should see the army of people running around when
shooting "The Amazing Race".
unrecognizable in the final product.
You should see the army of people running around when
shooting "The Amazing Race".
Directorik is correct but let me expand a bit on your statement: "Do I still have the right to film them . . ."
You actually don't have a "right" to film anyone where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. You could still get sued (or arrested) even if if no footage exists if there are witnesses.
However, you do have a "right" to film people in public places. For a watertight case, YOU must also have been in that public place or a place you own (rent) -- for instance, filming from inside your house with your camera aimed an event occurring in the street.
If either you or the other person is on private property, the water gets murky . . .
You actually don't have a "right" to film anyone where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. You could still get sued (or arrested) even if if no footage exists if there are witnesses.
However, you do have a "right" to film people in public places. For a watertight case, YOU must also have been in that public place or a place you own (rent) -- for instance, filming from inside your house with your camera aimed an event occurring in the street.
If either you or the other person is on private property, the water gets murky . . .