ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 5 months ago - Marlom Tander

DBS - you are correct in that you cannot DBS yourself - the school has to do it. Even if you have DBS in one context (which I do) that doesn't apply in another. DBS takes time and costs money.

It might be worth discussing with the school the protocol for filming if they want to avoid DBS, and the first item there would be "never unsupervised".

As to the release, Uk courts like clear english. Your release should make it clear what they agreeing to and what your aims are - both filmically and release/audience. This will not only be legally useful, it might ensure that no one wastes their time - you need the parents to buy in on everything you might need to include. So make it clear in advance just what that might mean. IF things go sour, the school will always side with the parents and injunctions are cheap.

"I, on behalf of ............................. agree to filming as part of the Docu Project. I understand that the program makers will be seeking the widest possible audience - so it may simply play at a few festivals, or it might end up on prime time BBC1.

I agree that no money is changing hands.

The aim is to show the life of the school and the trials and triumphs of educating autistic children. This may include some footage of difficult behaviour - challenging actions by the children, and controlling actions by the staff. Such material will always be placed in context. If you expect your child show such behaviour you should only consent if you are least open to it being shown on screen. We do not want to film people who, in the end, might be made uncomfortable with the results.

Editorial control - the film maker will show us early edits and take our views into account. However the final decision is his.

good luck

10 years, 5 months ago - Marlom Tander

Whether or not a DBS is needed is the school's call. A project like this - short term, and esp if all child access is supervised by staff, might not need DBS.

Raise it with the school, but let them decide.

10 years, 5 months ago - Doug Kirby

There are some great apps for this i use mRelease. You can release children (with guardian sig.) sending a copy email to guardian client/witness and self guardian (which could be school, they need prior consent from parent/legal guardian) signs on tablet/phone and you take picture of child in app as part of release.
Also sections for crew, property and location.

To send in advance i.e. send unsigned PDF you just add emails to go too and click through. They can then copy fill in blanks and distribute, but you won't have e copy so ideally only do this to show release content.
Of course it's general but you can edit and make specific before shoot.
Or just google uk media release child, lots of similar generic releases come up.

10 years, 5 months ago - KAMEL AUJLA

Hi, I am DBS regd and a first aider. You can do a DBS yourself but its very long winded, its better by going through a company. I got mine through a company as I do classroom assisting sometimes. Its not necessary at all however for you to get one for this project, otherwise the sound recordist wld need on, the runner, the lighting tech guy etc. My children have worked on jobs before where they have had a release form, that I have signed. If I can find it by email I may be able to forward it.

Thanks. Kay

10 years, 5 months ago - Ben Lithman

I should mention that i'm based in the UK, so needs to be UK specific.

10 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

I'd be surprised if the school don't want you dbs checked, it's certainly worth bringing up, just on the offchance you have to be unsupervised for even a minute. It'll go a long way towards assuring the patents too.

PM me your email address, I think I can send you some sample text tomorrow, or this week at least (I'm not at home). Bear in mind this is sample text, you'd ideally run it by your own lawyer. That said, releases are actually uncertain ground legally (there's no exchange so it's not a contact, more an understanding), but at least show intent if someone does decide to sue for whatever reason.

10 years, 5 months ago - Ben Lithman

Thank you both for your replies.

The school is dealing with informing and gaining consent for the filming, but they have asked me if I could send them an example of a release form they can use when contacting parents. I think, bearing in mind, that it is a school for vulnerable children, that I would like to point the faculty towards a full release form, rather than just a tear off slip. If you could point me in the right direction of where to find one, i'd be very grateful.

Regarding the DBS, I understand that you cannot request a DBS on yourself. Do you know if this is the case? Does this mean I would need to tell the school that, I'm more than happy to be checked, but that I cannot do this myself, and that they would need to instigate it?

Thanks

10 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Have you passed a DBS check? That's the first stop. Then maybe a letter on the school's headed paper explaining what's happening, with a tear-off return strip so they actively opt in to filming

10 years, 5 months ago - Ioana Constantinescu

To be clear,the parents don't "buy into" everything you want to include.They have to sign a release form giving you consent to use footage of their child if they are under the age of 18. Each parent/guardian of students under the age of 18 who will be filmed have to sign a release form.If they don't agree to this, you will need to avoid filming them.