Why are video releases important?
Nov. 23rd, 2023 12:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
poltr1These days, it's very easy to record a video of someone, and post it on a social media site such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, et al. How can this be done to document permission from the person being recorded, and protect them from potential liability?
A video release form.
From https://wistia.com/learn/production/video-release-form:
I have some personal experience with this.
Several years ago, at Marcon, a science fiction convention in Columbus, OH, some fans wanted to videotape a panel given by Maia Cowan, a science fiction writer. I was in the hallway, observing this interaction. Maia asked them, "Do you have a release form for me to sign?" The fans said they didn't have such a form. Maia then responded, "No release form, no videotaping."
In 1985, in Kenmore NY, a young man murdered his parents. Word got out that he played Dungeons & Dragons, a fantasy role-playing game. One of the news stations contacted me about the young man. I had been cautioned by other people in the gaming group I was in to not give them an interview, as that the station could edit my responses to fit the viewpoint they wanted to express. And so I declined the interview.
I also work the AV booth at my place of worship -- a Unitarian Universalist fellowship. We currently record our weekly services via Zoom, livestream them via Facebook, and create podcasts of the sermons. We sometimes have guest speakers, or members of the fellowship speaking about their own lives and experiences. I don't want to inadvertently 'out' any of our LGBTQ members, our poly members, or our pagan members.
What I don't want is someone angrily come up to me, demanding that the video be taken down immediately, and threatening legal action. Or someone threatening I pay them royalties for public performance of their song(s).
I'm a private person. I don't like to talk about my personal life and interests. If I mention that I sing in a community chorus, people will ask me to sing. If I mention that I'm into science fiction fandom, or filk, or anything else that's esoteric, people will either ask me to explain that aspect to them, or just laugh.
While I don't personally know anyone that fits this category, I'd suspect there are a few people out there whose security clearances are high enough -- above TS/SCI -- that they are not allowed to be photographed or recorded.
Bottom line: Cover your tuchus and use release forms. In this situation, it is easier to ask permission than to apologize.
A video release form.
From https://wistia.com/learn/production/video-release-form:
"A video release form paves the way for a smooth and legally compliant video production process by ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page when it comes to recording, marketing, and promoting the content.
"By having your talent sign this form, you gain their written consent to use footage featuring them. This helps prevent any potential disputes or lawsuits if they later change their mind.
"The form also gives your talent a clear understanding of how their voice and likeness will be used, which in turns protects their identity and reputation.
"Without this consent form, you could face legal hurdles that might prevent you from using the footage featuring these individuals."
I have some personal experience with this.
Several years ago, at Marcon, a science fiction convention in Columbus, OH, some fans wanted to videotape a panel given by Maia Cowan, a science fiction writer. I was in the hallway, observing this interaction. Maia asked them, "Do you have a release form for me to sign?" The fans said they didn't have such a form. Maia then responded, "No release form, no videotaping."
In 1985, in Kenmore NY, a young man murdered his parents. Word got out that he played Dungeons & Dragons, a fantasy role-playing game. One of the news stations contacted me about the young man. I had been cautioned by other people in the gaming group I was in to not give them an interview, as that the station could edit my responses to fit the viewpoint they wanted to express. And so I declined the interview.
I also work the AV booth at my place of worship -- a Unitarian Universalist fellowship. We currently record our weekly services via Zoom, livestream them via Facebook, and create podcasts of the sermons. We sometimes have guest speakers, or members of the fellowship speaking about their own lives and experiences. I don't want to inadvertently 'out' any of our LGBTQ members, our poly members, or our pagan members.
What I don't want is someone angrily come up to me, demanding that the video be taken down immediately, and threatening legal action. Or someone threatening I pay them royalties for public performance of their song(s).
I'm a private person. I don't like to talk about my personal life and interests. If I mention that I sing in a community chorus, people will ask me to sing. If I mention that I'm into science fiction fandom, or filk, or anything else that's esoteric, people will either ask me to explain that aspect to them, or just laugh.
While I don't personally know anyone that fits this category, I'd suspect there are a few people out there whose security clearances are high enough -- above TS/SCI -- that they are not allowed to be photographed or recorded.
Bottom line: Cover your tuchus and use release forms. In this situation, it is easier to ask permission than to apologize.
