egafd.com

Hi There,
Thinking about filming some amateur vids for my own use, and was wondering what it means when a model says she will sign a model release form. Is this good or bad?
Thanks,
Nakanza.

without a model release form and accompanying identification you would (a) not be able to sell or distribute and (b) be in danger of a whole lot of grief.

If the videos are for your own use you should not need a model release.

A release should be signed by ALL models if you wish to sell, broadcast or display the material in any way, this applies to videos and stills, and applies to all work - not just porn.

A release, along with photographic ID, proves that the model is who they say they are, age etc. and also that the model has given his/her permission for you to use the material you have shot for whatever the intended purpose.

Basically this covers your ass if at a later date the model tries to sue you for miss-use of the material. Any third party should also require a copy of the release before accepting work for publication/broadcasting.

I believe in the States now they also ask for a 'location release'to cover any property shown.

A release signing fee is either agreed and included in the model pay or some models charge extra.

Chris N

whether you need a model release legally or not, get one anyway!!!

it will help to cover you in case the model claims she wasnt paid or was forced to do something she didnt want to etc - its not foolproof but its a bloody good start and is much better than nothing.

As a footnote, we refuse to pay models extra for releases as it is a bloody rip off - some will try and charge an extra hours fee for one. We always negotiate a rate to include a model release.

Jason

A spin-off question:

Let's say you agree with a model not to publish in UK (ie she is happy with sales in US, Japan etc, but doesn't want her dad to find it on his newsagent's top shelf) and you include this condition on the Release Form. You sell to overseas mags - no problem as you only sell single use publication rights and not the pictures outright. Then some thieving bastard scans the photos from the magazine and posts them on the net which is international. The girls dad sees them, she goes beserk and the photographer gets sued. He is the only party the model has a contract with, so she has to sue the photographer, not the magazine and not the website.

1. How does he protect himself?
2. How does he establish who is owner of the website and how can he get it shut down?
3. How can the owner be prosecuted for stealing his material?
4. How can the photographer get compensation for his legal conflict with the model?

Many photographers are at risk because many have agreed to such conditions, particularly before magazines became more international and before the days of the internet

Pete

Guys,

Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated.

Nakanza.