ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 2 months ago - Kays Alatrakchi

If you have to ask, it likely means that you didn't have a location manager, which also implies that you were shooting very low budget, and it further implies that you're not going wide theatrical with this. I would say don't sweat it, for some location guy to actually want to go through the trouble to file a suit and put an injunction on your film, they need to see that they can make a case that would be worth it for them in the first place. In essence, you're likely safe by reason that it's simply not worth the hassle. If you're concerned about recognizable buildings, etc....typically anything that can be seen from a public place is not off limits, except for logos and business names....but even then they have to argue that somehow you're damaging their brand by being in your film....once again not worth the hassle in 99% of the cases.

The only scenario in which you might be concerned is, if you did something that really really pissed off the location owner, and he now specifically wants to make your life miserable and is willing to go through an irrational amount of work just to do that.

10 years, 2 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

What you want to avoid advice all else is somebody injuncting your film. By all means go to court over money and fees, but don't kill the film! Having your releases in place makes that ever so much less likely to happen, and indeed in your agreements you may have a 'no injunction' clause to make sure.

If your film is injuncted, you can't exhibit it, so can't sell it, so everyone loses their money - it's not a good thing. I'm sure John or Marlom or someone will fill in the details and add a little colour, but except for exceptional cases (you sneaked inside a Russian spy den and it's newsworthy) it's smart to get the paperwork in place as you go along.

10 years, 2 months ago - David Graham Scott

Also depends on whether the location can be recognised. A wall or a window could be anywhere. I had this issue come up a while back but won the battle due to an unrecognisable location.

10 years, 2 months ago - Dan Selakovich

Yes and no. It depends on the location owner, whether you never bothered to get a release in the first place, do they know you shot without permission, will they ever see the film, etc. If they want to raise a stink about it, they could get a lien on your film, at the very least. It depends on what you're really talking about here. Did you shoot in somebody's bar while the owner supervised, then he changed his mind because the crew stole all the booze?

What's more important is deliverables. A distributor is going to want those location agreements. Or at least Errors and Omissions insurance (which you may not be able to get without the releases, so you're back to square one).