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Home: Video University Forums: Marketing & Business:
legalities with public interviews with strangers....

X-al_
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Jul 15, 2003, 11:18 AM

Post #1 of 7 (1464 views)
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legalities with public interviews with strangers....	Can't Post

I want to do a video documentary on a few topics that would involve going out and talking to the general public.
My issues are...
1) If I plan on selling the documentary, how does one protect themselves against any legal action? Is there a one page release form I can make them sign?
2) To motivate people to stop and talk, I was thinking about compensating with either money or a free mocha at the local coffee house (YES, that one..hehehe) - would that play into my liability?
Thanks!

X-Tim_Filstrup
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Oct 24, 2000, 7:12 PM

Post #2 of 7 (1463 views)
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Re: Video Production Market Size and Annual Growth Rate [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Does any one know where to find information or resources that describes the market size and growth rate for the video production market.
: I am looking for info for both consumer and professional segments.
: Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

X-Carl_Simpson
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Nov 20, 2000, 3:21 PM

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Re: Finding the Right Video Business [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also am trying to find out where I can buy video's and DVD's to start up a video rental store. Any help or suggestions are truely appreciated.

X-Hal
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Nov 20, 2000, 3:26 PM

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Re: Finding the Right Video Business [In reply to]	Can't Post

Video Software Dealers Assoc. is the org you should probably
join www.vsda.org NOT .com

: I also am trying to find out where I can buy video's and DVD's to start up a video rental store. Any help or suggestions are truely appreciated.

X-Doug_Graham
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Jul 16, 2003, 3:24 PM

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Re: legalities with public interviews with strangers....	Can't Post

You do need a release form. Do a web search on "Talent Release" or "Model Release" for some downloadable samples.
Regards,
Doug Graham

X-Jerry_Jones
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Jul 23, 2003, 1:47 PM

Post #6 of 7 (1464 views)
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Re: legalities with public interviews with strangers.... [In reply to]	Can't Post

: You do need a release form. Do a web search on "Talent Release" or "Model Release" for some downloadable samples.
: Regards,
: Doug Graham
I respect Doug's opinion.
However, I'm not so sure a release form is necessary.
I worked for more than a decade in Idaho television news and our corporate counsel never advised us that such forms were necessary to tape interviews with citizens for the news.
The news reporters here in town continue to shoot such interviews routintely - without being required by corporate attorneys to secure release forms.
I also remember that legal counsel advised us during many a boardroom meeting that anything in public view on public property was fair game.
Perhaps an attorney will read this and chime in.
I'd be interested in an attorney's viewpoint.
Jerry Jones
<a target=_new href="http://www.jonesgroup.net">http://www.jonesgroup.net</a>

X-Doug_Graham
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Jul 23, 2003, 3:11 PM

Post #7 of 7 (1464 views)
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Re: legalities with public interviews with strangers.... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jerry,
I think our different perspectives are due to your news background. You are quite correct that talent releases are NOT required for news gathering. It's when you cross the fine line from news reporting to making a documentary for sale that you need to get releases.
Regards,
Doug Graham
: I respect Doug's opinion.
: However, I'm not so sure a release form is necessary.
: I worked for more than a decade in Idaho television news and our corporate counsel never advised us that such forms were necessary to tape interviews with citizens for the news.
: The news reporters here in town continue to shoot such interviews routintely - without being required by corporate attorneys to secure release forms.
: I also remember that legal counsel advised us during many a boardroom meeting that anything in public view on public property was fair game.
: Perhaps an attorney will read this and chime in.
: I'd be interested in an attorney's viewpoint.
: Jerry Jones
: <a target=_new href="http://www.jonesgroup.net">http://www.jonesgroup.net</a>