ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

8 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

If you're covering a factual event as news in a public space, there's little to stop you. It's good form to let people know the event will be filmed, but that's pretty much assumed these days anyway. The charity can do that part for you TBH. The charity almost certainly has public liability insurance - if you're contacted by them to film, even as a volunteer, you can almost certainly be covered under their policy, but they should check and confirm.

It's a good idea to look at getting your own public liability cover though for the future. I pay Hiscox Business about £9.50 a month for public liability and £10k of equipment insurance.

8 years, 1 month ago - Marlom Tander

Purpose of footage?

I did a lot of this type of shoot.

The audience has no real expectation of privacy, but you can put up a sign on the door saying "This event is being filmed " and if cheeky "DVD's £10 each, order from the Charity".

The performers however , from them the CHARITY SHOULD get a release OR be prepared to take down later on request. This has happened to me when I filmed local bands that then got deals and the first thing that happens is that the record company wants the old stuff GONE.

Is the music/dance/performance copyright? If it is it doesn't stop you filming, and you do not need any additional permissions. BUT you should advise the Charity that if they want to put it on YouTube or use it other than as a private record of the event, they need to know what :-

is copyright the performers - e.g. their original songs, and get a release for them.
is out of copyright
is someone else's copyright. In this case you do not need permission to shoot but do to distribute. But a nice letter can work wonders, not so much where commercial orgs control the copyright but if it's a charity more focussed on promoting the work, and they like your material, free use does happen. I've done it.

The danger area with most gig type shows is covers. That's what gets you black marks from YouTube.

As to PL, just ask the organisers for a letter stating that you are covered by their policy. (Or it might be that of the venue). And then be sensible with cables etc - tape them down, carpet them, put barriers around kit, even if just tape or rope off.

Re YT, unless you are sure all is good, don't have it on your channel, set one up for the Charity. They probably care far less about black marks than you.

8 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Marlom is absolutely spot on with filming performances, my thoughts just cover general melee. Performances of songs open up a load of grief.

8 years, 1 month ago - Rehan Wasti

Thanks for the wonderful insights on the topic.

It's for a Q&A session of a book author + book signing. It is a ticketed event, but money raised is for charity. (No DVDs! ;) ) Audience will be notified about cameras in operation.

So essentially, I just need a PL letter from charity to cover myself. That should be simple enough. :)

Many thanks, folks. Much appreciated.

Onwards to the event....!

:)

8 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

As long as the author is OK with it, I'm pretty confident you'll be just fine.