When Do You Need a Documentary Release Form?
Filmmakers are accustomed to release forms. They bring many of the different contracts with them on a regular basis when filming on location, in public, or otherwise. It’s customary to have anyone that is liable to be on camera sign a release form. That states they have given the filmmaker permission to film them and to use the footage that is captured in their production. When it comes to filming a documentary, when do you need a documentary release form? And are there any other forms that are necessary along the way?
What are Documentary Release Forms?
Release forms are an important aspect to any film production. But when it comes to a documentary, they tend to come up more frequently than in many other styles of filmmaking.
Simply because there are a lot of different interviews involved. Thus, when it comes to producing a documentary, the most common release forms involved are the personal releases.
Personal release forms for a documentary provide the filmmaker with the right to film another individual. And, upon completion of the footage, to use the footage in the documentary. These forms may only be provided to individual people and must be signed by each person involved.
In the event that there is a group of people that are to be filmed, a group release form may be utilized. The group release is characteristically similar to the personal release. But it provides permission for the filmmaker to film a group. And to use the footage in their final documentary film.
Rights Included in Documentary Release Forms
Say you’re using various release forms for your documentary. It’s important to know just how those rights apply once you’ve managed to get people to release the rights to you, the filmmaker.
Anytime a release form is signed, whether it’s a personal release, a group release, or even a location release. The rights that are granted to the filmmaker are done so in perpetuity. And the footage may be exploited throughout the universe.
This means that the filmmaker has the right to use the media footage however they wish. In the current planned film or in other manners relative to the film such as to create trailers, to produce commercials, or to create other forms of media.
This media can be used, recreated, and otherwise incorporated into various projects indefinitely once the individual or group has signed over the rights.
When are Documentary Release Forms Required?
Release forms are essential to the production of a documentary film. In fact, these blanket rights are requested anytime someone is filmed, anytime a location is represented in a film, and anytime a group is caught on camera.
In fact, if you’re unable to get release forms signed by the parties involved in your documentary? You’re most likely going to have to seek another alternative film opportunity.
As without release forms from everyone on camera, you’re probably not going to qualify for errors and omissions insurance. Nor will you be able to distribute your film without them.
If you’re new to documentary filmmaking, make sure you’re aware of the ways that documentary release forms should be incorporated into your filmmaking process to ensure a streamlined, efficient, and most importantly legal production.
