Release

[Gregory Sheffer]

If you film people at a public event how can these images be used without release forms. I am filming at an airshow and will have lots of crowd shots I am assuming I do not need release forms, but...

 

[mikeburton]

I believe if you have over 20 people in a shot you do not need a release form but i could be wrong here.

 

[Raul Gonzo]

I found this:

Incidental background shots of crowds which leave individual private citizens unidentifiable are ok.

More here

 

[Pawel Achtel]

This is why I film animals :smilielol5:

 

[Joe G.]

Shallow focus -- "unidentifiable." Or else they can sue you later, and may mess with your distribution prospects if the distributor is afraid because you don't have releases.

 

[Imran Farouk]

Surely though such large crowds like in James Bond - Quantum of Solace still can have people identifiable just because of the sheer resolution and focus, pulling the focus soft on the crowd wouldn't seem right if it was a shot of the crowd :S I'm sure that 20 people rule must be right, it'd be crazy to have to get something like 200 forms for an event and have everyone sign it on their way in/out...be a nightmare!

 

[Martin Weiss]

On concert projects it is usual to have a huge disclaimer at each of the entrances stating that filming will happen and by entering the premises you agree to being filmed.

Also, often you will find a similar disclaimer on the back of concert tickets.

So - it might be a good idea to print some large posters both at the ticket booths, and at each and every entrance. And of course: take pictures of it to prove that everyone was informed.

That said, I am luckily not a lawyer, but you might want to contact one to protect you from potential problems down the road...

 

[Anson Fogel]

Can they recognize themselves

Can they recognize themselves

A typical legal guideline mentioned on various modern legal guides for filmmakers is this - Can a person watching your footage/looking at your image in its used for recognize themselves? They use the word "reasonably" - meaning, not blowing it up, not rewinding and playing it over and over, but would they "reasonably" recognize themselves when watching whatever you produce.

FWIW.