What is the deal with getting folks to sign release forms. is there specific ways around that. i mean I don't have a problem with doing it, but why do you see in some movies, tv shows and such that folks' faces are blurred out, is that a result of not being able to get a release....I mean someone yelling "Turn that f'n camera off!" Probably isn't willing to sign a release. The reason i ask is I have footage of folks and didn't get release for them so i was wondering if I blur their faces i would still be able to use the footage in a film.
what is the deal?
- Thread starter maxham
- Start date
If you can track them down, get them to sign a release to cover yourself, though I don't know the legalities of blurring faces exactly.
The "blurring" in TV shows may be "yes they'll talk but they want their face/voice disguised" agreements. It's always good to get a papertrail, whether they want to be blurred or not, just so they can't say later "I didn't give him permission"-a paper trail says you did.
The "blurring" in TV shows may be "yes they'll talk but they want their face/voice disguised" agreements. It's always good to get a papertrail, whether they want to be blurred or not, just so they can't say later "I didn't give him permission"-a paper trail says you did.
In a documentary there is a little wiggle room. Sometimes people
in the background are fair game. If you can’t really see their
face clearly and if they are not interacting directly.
The reason you see some faces blurred in reality shows and docs is
because the lawyers have advised the producer to do so. Sometimes
it’s as Tinalera says; the subject photographed doesn’t want to be
seen. This will be a very tough call for you - you won’t have
lawyers looking over your footage - so you will have to make an
uneducated guess on who to blur and who you can show.
There are no specific way around it. If a person is on camera, you
need a release forum. Sometimes you need permission to use
advertising signs, buildings and logos that appear on camera.
I have shot “Amazing Race” several times. They have an army of
people with each camera team when we’re in cities who get releases
signed by everyone.
You hope to get some kind of distribution for your doc - better
have everything in order.
in the background are fair game. If you can’t really see their
face clearly and if they are not interacting directly.
The reason you see some faces blurred in reality shows and docs is
because the lawyers have advised the producer to do so. Sometimes
it’s as Tinalera says; the subject photographed doesn’t want to be
seen. This will be a very tough call for you - you won’t have
lawyers looking over your footage - so you will have to make an
uneducated guess on who to blur and who you can show.
There are no specific way around it. If a person is on camera, you
need a release forum. Sometimes you need permission to use
advertising signs, buildings and logos that appear on camera.
I have shot “Amazing Race” several times. They have an army of
people with each camera team when we’re in cities who get releases
signed by everyone.
You hope to get some kind of distribution for your doc - better
have everything in order.
Do you think it's good enough to get national
(or worldwide) distribution?If so, then you should
begin the process of blurring their faces as you
are looking for distribution.
(or worldwide) distribution?If so, then you should
begin the process of blurring their faces as you
are looking for distribution.