interviews for documentary at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Techniques for Independent Production

Techniques for Independent Production
The challenges of creating Digital Cinema and other narrative forms.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 25th, 2008, 01:55 AM   #1
Trustee
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,606
interviews for documentary

I'll be taking a small crew north in a couple of weeks for 2 days of interviews and some location shooting.

The main interviewee owns the item which is the subject of the doco so it's 'his story' but the surrounding story is something in the public domain.

What should I get him to sign? is it just a standard release form saying I can use the images/footage of the interview or should I have something that gives me the rights to the 'story'?

while I'm on the subject the doco will amalgamate interviews with historical recreations. I'm thinking of shooting the interviews in 50i on my XH-A1 looking for a news style look and the recreations in 25p with the Lex for more of a drama/film look.

Does it make sense to mix these visual styles (if I can call them that)?
__________________
Cheers - Paul M.
www.perbenyik.com

Last edited by Paul Mailath; March 25th, 2008 at 02:00 AM. Reason: added question
Paul Mailath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 26th, 2008, 05:07 AM   #2
Trustee
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,606
com'on guys - anyone with suggestions?
__________________
Cheers - Paul M.
www.perbenyik.com
Paul Mailath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 26th, 2008, 06:30 AM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Utrecht, NL | Europe 3rd Rock from the Sun
Posts: 612
Knights of the Round Table

So you're doing a story about Excalibur and interviewing King Arthur? It seems to me that if it is your production, all you need is 'regular' releases. You'll need a release for "the sword" as well if you're featuring it; a property release should cover it.

George/
George Kroonder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 26th, 2008, 03:25 PM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 431
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Mailath View Post
I
What should I get him to sign? is it just a standard release form saying I can use the images/footage of the interview or should I have something that gives me the rights to the 'story'?
As always if the project is important enough get legal advice. That being said, you should get both. You should get an option for the story and a release for the footage.
__________________
"Get Er Done!!!"
G. Lee Gordon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 26th, 2008, 04:46 PM   #5
Trustee
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,606
Funny you should mention the arthurian legend - the item is a cup that's been described as 'an Australian holy grail'

An option on the story is a good idea, since he owns the cup, he he owns the story I guess.

thanks guys
__________________
Cheers - Paul M.
www.perbenyik.com
Paul Mailath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 27th, 2008, 04:53 AM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 192
I don't know what it's like in Australia but you may need (among others) talent and property releases from the owner. You might even need a release from the cup's creator if it is trademarked, or something. Is there music playing in the background, or a radio, during your interview? You need a release from the music company, etc. If you can't get all the releases you need then dragging a crew along to an interview could easily be an expensive waste of time for everyone. Don't ask us, ask a lawyer — first!!!

Best (and good luck)
Peter
www.parkfilms.com
Peter Rhalter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 27th, 2008, 08:52 AM   #7
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,742
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Mailath View Post
Funny you should mention the arthurian legend - the item is a cup that's been described as 'an Australian holy grail'

An option on the story is a good idea, since he owns the cup, he he owns the story I guess.

thanks guys

He might own his own telling of the story, his exact words, just like any writer owns a story he creates. But the sequence of events would not be the same thing - if you were to paraphrase the inormation you obtacined from him to recount the history of the cup in your own words, that would be a story version that you would own. (IMHO - I am not a lawyer)
__________________
Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!
Steve House is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 27th, 2008, 02:39 PM   #8
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 431
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve House View Post
He might own his own telling of the story, his exact words, just like any writer owns a story he creates. But the sequence of events would not be the same thing - if you were to paraphrase the inormation you obtacined from him to recount the history of the cup in your own words, that would be a story version that you would own. (IMHO - I am not a lawyer)
I don't think so. To many court cases say otherwise. Why take the chance?
__________________
"Get Er Done!!!"
G. Lee Gordon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 28th, 2008, 08:24 AM   #9
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Utrecht, NL | Europe 3rd Rock from the Sun
Posts: 612
This is a doco, not a feature film

If the man agrees to speak on camera for the purpose of the documentary your're making and relates his own (mis)fortunes and experiences having signed a standard release, that is fine. Even a filmed (on camera) agreement can be sufficient.

When he starts reading his story from a published book for which he has already signed an exclusive deal with a publisher which includes all media rights, then that is another thing. If he's making up a new and original story, then it's not a doco.

George/

P.S. Mildly funny and some good info: http://www.channel4.com/fourdocs/guides/legal.html
George Kroonder 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 > Special Interest Areas > Techniques for Independent Production

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:14 AM.


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