I am making a documentary and I need to draft a consent form for the actors. I don't forsee making any money on this film but I can't rule out that possibility. I read that if you are going to make money on a project, you risk being sued later by talent wanting compensation. What is the best thing to do here? On a related issue, I have already been asked by the lead actor to never use the piece in a tabloid, which I would never do anyway, but how should I word the consent such that I have complete rights to the piece and its distribution still set the actors at ease. Thanks
Have you read the FAQ?
-YO
-YO
quote:
Originally posted by YoungOne
Have you read the FAQ?-YO
Couldn't find what I was looking for. Point me to the right place, if you have one. Thanks
I really don't know exactly what you need, but im sure just making a waiver for them to sign saying they allow you to film them, and they do it at their own risk, and that your not liable to anything, would make sense to me.
However I'm sure it's not that easy. Try a google search, or maybe rent a book on the legal process.
-YO
-YO
OK - it's only about a hundred bucks but well worth the investment. I got Movie Magic Contracts and it has it all. Waivers for adults, children, nudity, product placement, contracts with crew, writers.... basically it's just a wizard you type your info in and it formats the contract for you in legaleeze. Best $100 you could spend, especially if you're going to use it on more than one project.
If you have a look in the Toolshed software archive under Production Management, you'll see that one of the downloads is a bunch of production forms. In this bunch there is a release form.
To clarify the situation, you should ALWAYS get your actors to sign releases, regardless of whether you intend to make any money or not. It takes 10 seconds to do, and although you'll probably never need it, you'll have it for that one time when you do.
Ben C.
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filmmaking.net
(Incorporating the Internet Filmmaker's FAQ)
Please note the opinions expressed here are those of the author only and do not constitute legal advice. The author cannot accept and liability whatsoever for inaccurate or outdated information contained within.
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Benjamin Craig
Editor-in-Chief, filmmaking.net
I here there's a group of entertainment lawyers working out of New York and that they're volunteers! I'll try and see if I can't look into it.
"It is not important that a director knows how to write but it is important that he knows how to read."
-Billy Wilder
"It is not important that a director knows how to write but it is important that he knows how to read."
-Billy Wilder
