Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Signed Release for Picture Use

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ipspea
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Topic: Signed Release for Picture Use
Posted: 8/16/06 at 2:12pm

I know this topic was discussed long ago, but I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share your release form that you have cast members sign for the use of their image in show photos. You know, for newspaper submissions, production photos on website, etc.

Thanks much!

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Playwright
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Posted: 8/16/06 at 5:39pm

Neither one of the theatre companies I workwith has ever required cast members to sign release forms for their photos to be taken. They do require that if a cast member is under 16 then we get the parent/guardian to sign a letter giving their permission for the child to be in the play. I actually have never met an actor who did not want their photo taken for publicity purposes. When I did my play, I did this and also got the parent's email addresses and cc'd them emails I sent to the cast.

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B-M-D
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Posted: 8/16/06 at 6:03pm

I concur with Playwright. In the....oh lets say....25 plus years of doing theatre on any level I've never had to sign a release for use of my image. An actor that doesn't want their picture used for publicity??!! Can they really be called actors then?

Pictures, food, an inordinant amount of attention? Which one of these does an actor not crave or require?

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

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Gaafa
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Posted: 8/17/06 at 3:23am

I also agree!
It?s not quite the same but I have only ever ran into this situation with performers a couple of times in Comeatre.
One was with Dance school choreography being video taped by another dance school, during an Eisteddfod performance, where they insisted that taping was to be stopped. To protect their intellectual property. The other was at a Musical audition where I videoed over 400 audition pieces as an aid to be reviewed later. Only drama mum insisted that her daughters tape be erased & required proof of it being done. On the grounds that it may be used against her in latter life. {I queried the girls age & found she was only 12 dressed to try & look 23 - needless to say we never even turned the video on}
But as for the publicity pics releases I have never heard of them. but what I have heard of is budding wooden top warm props, actually attempting to pay the local newspaper, to have their mug shot in the rag!

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Tom_Rylex
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Posted: 8/17/06 at 8:54am

Our audition sheet has a few blanket statements, one of them being photo release. It's pretty generic:

"By signing this agreement, you give [your group name] the right to use your image for publicity purposes."

Like has been stated, this is not a problem for nearly all actors. In the unlikely event that someone complains later, you have that to go to. It is purposely worded generically so that it covers all forms of media/advertisement.

I've actually worked with someone on a show that got really vocal about having any pictures/videotape taken of him while he's on stage. Some kind of eccentric speech that sounded like "blah blah I cannot be imaged because of blah blah blah." I had to ensure him that I was videotaping my own performance for review, and that he would be safely out of range.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-R. Frost

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Joan54
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Posted: 8/17/06 at 10:28am

The only time I have heard of the video being a problem was when we worked with equity actors.....there was a fuss about that. We couldn't video tape for any reason...even our own use...without paying them.

"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"

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Topper
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Posted: 8/17/06 at 10:56am

The only times I remember actors refusing to be photographed were when I produced the all-Amish production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" for which we had to change the title into "A Horse-and-Buggy Named Temptation."

The other time was the Muslim version of "Fiddler on the Roof" which we decided to rename "Shi'ite on a Shingle."

Sadly, neither production was well-received.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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Shatcher
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Posted: 8/17/06 at 12:30pm

Topper You are so funny. I too have never met an actor who did not want their picture taken. I have seen more problems with too many actors wanting to be in the picture.

Now I my self am a techie and I would never allow my picture to be printed!!might give away my secret identity!!! I like to stay in the shadows! there are enough actors fighting for that spotlight I don't have to add myself to the mix, I have to hang more spotlights!!

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B-M-D
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Posted: 8/17/06 at 12:49pm

Originally posted by Topper

The other time was the Muslim version of "Fiddler on the Roof" which we decided to rename "Shi'ite on a Shingle."

Sadly, neither production was well-received.

OMG I'm just falling on the floor LOL !!!

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

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castMe
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Posted: 8/17/06 at 5:31pm

Topper..LOLOL

Investigate. Imagine. Choose.

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