Guide to legal issues in pro video production?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop,rec.video.production (More info?)

Hello,

I wouldn't call myself a pro, but I am dipping my toe into doing some
production for compensation. I'm sure there are whole courses on this
and in the end, I'll probably hunt down a lawyer to help clarify things.
But, until then...

I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good book or web resource
that can answer questions on the legal requirements of doing pro (as
opposed to personal use, amateur) video production? I'm less concerned
about copyright (I'm writing the scripts and using royalty-free sources)
than about permissions for taping. Specifically, if I'm trying to
capture "an apartment building" and I go down the street, find an
apartment building, and tape its exterior for 10 seconds, do I need the
building owner's permission? Or, if I rent a hotel room to tape "a
hotel room" or tape something in their "business suite" do I need their
permission? Basically, when do you cross the line from "it's too
abstract to need permission" to "it's sufficiently specific (or on their
property) to need permission"? Stuff like that....

(A friend who's been in the business offered some replies to some
specific questions, but I hate to bug him, and would prefer to learn
some on my own for the future....)

So, any good books, sites, or just plain answers?

Thanks,

Todd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop,rec.video.production (More info?)

"F. Todd Wilson" <nomail@nomail.net> wrote in message
news:nomail-DF01E5.21083321042005@news.verizon.net...
> Hello,
>
> I wouldn't call myself a pro, but I am dipping my toe into doing some
> production for compensation. I'm sure there are whole courses on this
> and in the end, I'll probably hunt down a lawyer to help clarify things.
> But, until then...
>
> I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good book or web resource
> that can answer questions on the legal requirements of doing pro (as
> opposed to personal use, amateur) video production? I'm less concerned
> about copyright (I'm writing the scripts and using royalty-free sources)
> than about permissions for taping. Specifically, if I'm trying to
> capture "an apartment building" and I go down the street, find an
> apartment building, and tape its exterior for 10 seconds, do I need the
> building owner's permission? Or, if I rent a hotel room to tape "a
> hotel room" or tape something in their "business suite" do I need their
> permission? Basically, when do you cross the line from "it's too
> abstract to need permission" to "it's sufficiently specific (or on their
> property) to need permission"? Stuff like that....
>
> (A friend who's been in the business offered some replies to some
> specific questions, but I hate to bug him, and would prefer to learn
> some on my own for the future....)
>
> So, any good books, sites, or just plain answers?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Todd

From what I understand a simple talk with the building manager will get you
the answers you need. As long as you can't identify the building they
probably won't mind.

Tom P.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop,rec.video.production (More info?)

copyright is an entirely different issue apart from a simple real estate
release form.



--
Brian Alves

Listen to the new podcast
for DV creators- The DV Show!
http://www.thedvshow.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop,rec.video.production (More info?)

> I wouldn't call myself a pro, but I am dipping my toe into doing some
> production for compensation. I'm sure there are whole courses on this
> and in the end, I'll probably hunt down a lawyer to help clarify things.
> But, until then...
>
> I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good book or web resource
> that can answer questions on the legal requirements of doing pro (as
> opposed to personal use, amateur) video production? I'm less concerned
> about copyright (I'm writing the scripts and using royalty-free sources)
> than about permissions for taping. Specifically, if I'm trying to
> capture "an apartment building" and I go down the street, find an
> apartment building, and tape its exterior for 10 seconds, do I need the
> building owner's permission? Or, if I rent a hotel room to tape "a
> hotel room" or tape something in their "business suite" do I need their
> permission? Basically, when do you cross the line from "it's too
> abstract to need permission" to "it's sufficiently specific (or on their
> property) to need permission"? Stuff like that....
>
> (A friend who's been in the business offered some replies to some
> specific questions, but I hate to bug him, and would prefer to learn
> some on my own for the future....)
>
> So, any good books, sites, or just plain answers?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Todd

Is it a doc? Then it may be considered 'news' and there's less to worry
about. The only real thing you have to worry about it having your shoot
interupted. This is why you need the property owner's permission(not a
building manager, his signature is worthless) in addition to a city permit
so a nosy neibour can't have the police chase you away.

Even major hollywood movies have shot scenes in places they didn't belong at
the time of shooting. Its a little rare for building owners to sue for the
copyright of their building's image and for a large part reserved for
productions with deep pockets. Rule of thumb is you have nothing to worry
about until your a runaway success, then they'll be making up reasons to sue
you so what are you worrying about now?

If your really paranoid avoid showing the buildings street and number so
someone watching the movie can't readily identify it. Avoid famous
non-public places if your especially paranoid about creating lawsuits from
your porno shoot.

 

[rs]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop,rec.video.production (More info?)

F. Todd Wilson wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I wouldn't call myself a pro, but I am dipping my toe into doing some
> production for compensation. I'm sure there are whole courses on this
> and in the end, I'll probably hunt down a lawyer to help clarify things.
> But, until then...
>
> I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good book or web resource
> that can answer questions on the legal requirements of doing pro (as
> opposed to personal use, amateur) video production? I'm less concerned
> about copyright (I'm writing the scripts and using royalty-free sources)
> than about permissions for taping. Specifically, if I'm trying to
> capture "an apartment building" and I go down the street, find an
> apartment building, and tape its exterior for 10 seconds, do I need the
> building owner's permission? Or, if I rent a hotel room to tape "a
> hotel room" or tape something in their "business suite" do I need their
> permission? Basically, when do you cross the line from "it's too
> abstract to need permission" to "it's sufficiently specific (or on their
> property) to need permission"? Stuff like that....
>
> (A friend who's been in the business offered some replies to some
> specific questions, but I hate to bug him, and would prefer to learn
> some on my own for the future....)
>
> So, any good books, sites, or just plain answers?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Todd

We simply ask them. Usually, they say yes, so long as nothing that
specificaly identifies them is in the shot. We just did a shoot in front
of a supermarket yesterday like this. If a log sneaks in, we just blur
it out.

Usually, once we set up and start shooting one of employees gets brave
enough to ask if they can appear in some way or help out. So long as you
are polite and clean up after yourselves, people tend to be happy to
help out.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop,rec.video.production (More info?)

I didn't think the OP was asking about copyright. And I didn't answer in
regards to copyright... so exactly what are you thinking of?

Sorry, but you lost me.
Tom P.

"The DV Show" <brian@thedvshow.com> wrote in message
news:Crhae.12888$c42.8406@fe07.lga...
> copyright is an entirely different issue apart from a simple real estate
> release form.
>
>
>
> --
> Brian Alves
>
> Listen to the new podcast
> for DV creators- The DV Show!
> http://www.thedvshow.com
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop,rec.video.production (More info?)

"RS" <mail@mail.com> wrote in message news:426d0295_1@newspeer2.tds.net...
> F. Todd Wilson wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> I wouldn't call myself a pro, but I am dipping my toe into doing some
>> production for compensation. I'm sure there are whole courses on this
>> and in the end, I'll probably hunt down a lawyer to help clarify things.
>> But, until then...
--SNIP --
>> So, any good books, sites, or just plain answers?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Todd
>
> We simply ask them. Usually, they say yes, so long as nothing that
> specificaly identifies them is in the shot. We just did a shoot in front
> of a supermarket yesterday like this. If a log sneaks in, we just blur it
> out.
>
> Usually, once we set up and start shooting one of employees gets brave
> enough to ask if they can appear in some way or help out. So long as you
> are polite and clean up after yourselves, people tend to be happy to help
> out.
>

Umm, what's a 'log'?

Tom P.