Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Taking Care of Business

Taking Care of Business
The pen and paper aspects of DV -- put it in writing!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 5th, 2011, 11:02 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 505
Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary?

I have footage taken in locations that I have permission to film in, but many people in background who weren't waivered and would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. I'm therefore blurring out faces but I'm wondering whether that's enough? E,g,, a person might be wearing distinctive pants, or rings, or anything else which would be recognizable to both him/her and their acquaintances through which they could be identified. Anyone been in a similar situation?
Greg Quinn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 7th, 2011, 06:40 PM   #2
Trustee
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,554
Re: Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary?

If I'm not mistaken, as long as you don't see their faces, you are good to go. I have never seen a video on TV where the entire body was blurred.
Steve Kalle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 7th, 2011, 07:55 AM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 505
Re: Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary?

Thanks Steve, me neither. Just want to be on the safe side. I guess the criteria is not whether someone could identify themselves in the video, but whether they might reasonably be identified by a member of the public.
Greg Quinn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 8th, 2011, 08:42 AM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 255
Re: Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary?

I'm sure the US laws in that regard are similar to Canadian regs.Here, the assumption is made that the only part of a human body that is not subject to significant change is the face, so blurring facial features is all that's needed.
There can be specific exceptions i.e. a close up of a pair of hands wearing a custom designed set of wedding rings, etc. that are easily identifiable. I would guess that almost always if you were shooting something like that, up close and personal, that you would have obtained a release of some sort anyway
Wayne Reimer is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Taking Care of Business

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:41 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network