Who can sign location release at a Catholic Church? at DVinfo.net

Lloyd Ubshura · September 4th, 2009, 05:50 PM

The question pretty much says it all. I have a local priest who is willing to sign a location release for some shots inside and outside of a church, but is that good enough?

Is the local priest/pastor good enough, or does the Pope himself need to sign this thing? At what point in the hierarchy can an official sign and have it carry weight?

I'm assuming the local priest can't and that it's someone before the Pope. Any thoughts?

Jacques E. Bouchard · September 6th, 2009, 03:16 PM

We've shot twice in a church. Both times it was the administration that signed the release form, and we "donated" $50 to the church, which we put in the release form.

J.

Shaun Roemich · September 6th, 2009, 04:03 PM

At the risk of treading on dangerous ground: daily operations of the brick and mortar BUILDING are a business affair and someone within the organization will be tasked as a business manager, whether or not it is a member of the clergy. I would ASSUME that this person is fully capable of signing said release, possibly after consultation with any interested parties, clergy or otherwise.

Don Bloom · September 6th, 2009, 04:06 PM

I've had releases signed in more than a few churches and in 95% of the cases it's been the preist. Big churches small and inbetween. No one will question the authory of the guy with the collar. At least not around my neighborhood.

Chris Davis · September 6th, 2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd Ubshura

The question pretty much says it all. I have a local priest who is willing to sign a location release for some shots inside and outside of a church, but is that good enough?

Is the local priest/pastor good enough, or does the Pope himself need to sign this thing? At what point in the hierarchy can an official sign and have it carry weight?

I'm assuming the local priest can't and that it's someone before the Pope. Any thoughts?

It's not really your concern if they're the last guy in the food chain (well, don't have any random passer-by sign it...) Whoever signs the release is also affirming that they have the authority to sign it. Your location release should have some wording to that effect ("I the undersigned declare that I have the authority to grant the above permission.")

Lloyd Ubshura · September 10th, 2009, 08:55 PM

Thanks guys. I didn't know anyone had even responded, looks like I gott'a fix my notification settings.

I've got the priest to sign the release, and added the phrase Chris mentioned. I'm sure everything will be fine.

Thanks everyone for your input!

Chris Swanberg · September 10th, 2009, 10:19 PM

Here is my 2 cents. If someone with "ostensible authority" signs, you are probably safe. But who decides whether a local priest has it? (Personally...I think you are ok if the priest signs). Ideally it should be the Catholic Doicese which the church is in. I'd say THAT would be bulletproof.

Chris Swanberg

September 4th, 2009, 05:50 PM	#1
Lloyd Ubshura Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 204	Who can sign location release at a Catholic Church? The question pretty much says it all. I have a local priest who is willing to sign a location release for some shots inside and outside of a church, but is that good enough? Is the local priest/pastor good enough, or does the Pope himself need to sign this thing? At what point in the hierarchy can an official sign and have it carry weight? I'm assuming the local priest can't and that it's someone before the Pope. Any thoughts?

September 6th, 2009, 04:03 PM	#3
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	At the risk of treading on dangerous ground: daily operations of the brick and mortar BUILDING are a business affair and someone within the organization will be tasked as a business manager, whether or not it is a member of the clergy. I would ASSUME that this person is fully capable of signing said release, possibly after consultation with any interested parties, clergy or otherwise. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 6th, 2009, 04:06 PM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I've had releases signed in more than a few churches and in 95% of the cases it's been the preist. Big churches small and inbetween. No one will question the authory of the guy with the collar. At least not around my neighborhood. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

September 6th, 2009, 03:16 PM	#2
Jacques E. Bouchard Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 442	We've shot twice in a church. Both times it was the administration that signed the release form, and we "donated" $50 to the church, which we put in the release form. J.

September 10th, 2009, 08:55 PM	#6
Lloyd Ubshura Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 204	Thanks guys. I didn't know anyone had even responded, looks like I gott'a fix my notification settings. I've got the priest to sign the release, and added the phrase Chris mentioned. I'm sure everything will be fine. Thanks everyone for your input!

September 10th, 2009, 10:19 PM	#7
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	Here is my 2 cents. If someone with "ostensible authority" signs, you are probably safe. But who decides whether a local priest has it? (Personally...I think you are ok if the priest signs). Ideally it should be the Catholic Doicese which the church is in. I'd say THAT would be bulletproof. Chris Swanberg