filming in stores, please help ASAP

[Animorph1230]

Hey! Within a day I will be going to talk to the manager of a store to see if I can film people shopping, basically the holiday rush, for a documentary. Any suggestions for making a convincing argument?

[shawneous]

Go with the whole "I'm an artist, support the arts!" angle. A lot of people can dig that. It's second only to charity. Honestly, it's a very powerful arguments. I've gotten complete strangers to give me entire weekends of free labor by just explaining what I'm trying to do (make art), how I really *need* their help and that I'm not making any money at it. They really will help. Beyond that, make sure the people shopping are your extras or have signed a consent form to appear in your production. It's illegal to show peoples distinguishable faces that haven't given you the rights to appear.

[I3lade203]

The manager can't give you premission. Your not allowed to legally film random people without their premission, I'm pretty sure thats illegal. But... if they happen to be in the background of an interview....

[El Brenty]

Unless you're in England!

[Truggy]

The manager can't give you premission. Your not allowed to legally film random people without their premission, I'm pretty sure thats illegal. But... if they happen to be in the background of an interview....

true, but theres got to be some way around that.

[film fanatic]

Ha ha! All you American suckers! We get to film people and you don't!

[mercenary123]

Simple, ask the manager or owner of the place then ask people if you can film them.

Am i the only one that thinks of this stuff?

[Ornsack]

Yeah rules are relaxed in the UK but there's no harm in asking!

Just be thankful you don't live in France. You're technically not allowed to film in the streets without permission =/

[Raptor]

The basic rule is if the person is 'readily identifiable'. In the US everyone has the right to privacy, as well as the right to control how their image is used.. the right of publicity. You must have a signed release from anyone who is readily identifiable. The exception to that is for 'bona fide' news. Documentaries generally don't count as news, even if they are non-fiction, since they are not a time sensitive piece. Another exception is people who are considered public figures. You can for example film a politician without a release. Other public figures such as actors, may or may not present a problem depending on the use - for profit or to imply the person supports a product or position will cause a problem. Or to catch a major star in a shot, and then bill your film as "starring" Bob Smith is another problem.
While from a producer's point of view the restrictions seem a bit tough, from the average person's view, it prevents our image from being used in a production which we may not want to be seen in. For example a hardcore porno, or even worse.. a Michael Moore Lie errr I mean 'documentary'.
You will need a property release also for the property, the manager can provide that, but again make sure you get a signed property release. This proves that someone has given you permission and also stated that they have the right to give you that permission.

[Animorph1230]

hey! Thanks everyone! I failed to mention I'm in high school... so can I create the forms myself or...?

[Raptor]

Do a search on line for model release and property release, lots of samples out there...

[2nd_Recon]

one hint, dont' go to a conglomerate (Wallgreens, McDonnalds, etc.) Because no one in the building can give you permission, they would have to go to they're state-wide manager, and that could take a few weeks, even if you make sure that you don't have any people, or anythinig that coudl identify the store (For example, filming your actors, who know whats going on, aganst the blank brick wall of a Wallgreens isn't legal)

[Epsilon]

Well, in public you can film, photo, document anyone you want. Though if they see their face appear somewhere, you might get sued... In a shopping location, just talk with the manager and he can probably give you information and what he will let you do or not do. A property release is a great idea. Even if it isn't necessary in a situation, it will definately add an amount of professionalism to your production or self.

[I3lade203]

I would look for a small store in the mall, the bigger stores won't care as much as a small store..

[asapfilms]

I tried to film in a mall near me, they escorted me out of the building, then I went to Walmart, asked the manager and he said no, something about 9/11 and that we're terrorists???

[I3lade203]

Don't try before asking. It's illegal.

[Themovieman44]

Asap, I would suggest finding a little Ma and Pop store. Someone who wouldn't mind. These places are all over. The little stores are always more willing. Big chains pretty much throw a big "Screw You We Don't Need Publicity" in your face. So find something small.

[El Brenty]

The basic rule is if the person is 'readily identifiable'. In the US everyone has the right to privacy

Then why do y'all have to carry around ID cards? Isn't that an infringement of your right to privacy?

[Raptor]

There is no requirement to carry an ID card in the US, the only requirement is to carry your State Issued Operators License when operating a motor vehicle. And in fact, usually you will be given 48 hours to produce the License if you are stopped without it. There is in fact no nationally issued ID card other than military IDs for those in the service. Certain situations CAN require ID, entry to a bar for example, as proof of age requires a photo ID, boarding a flight n the airport requires an ID, but there is no requirement that anyone in the US carry any type of ID for any general purpose on the street. The nearest to a 'national' ID card is the Social Security card, and that card specificaly states it is not for ID purposes.....

[El Brenty]

Thank got for that then - It must have been driving ID they were going on about when I was there!

You know what, they want to make ID cards compulsary here! We will never let it happen! They're doing it to stop all those didgy kids who wear hoods over baseball caps who go around doing dodgy things like scratching glass shopfronts so the shop owners have to replace the whole window, and scratching the paint along the sides of new cars. Little buggers! If I was Prime Minister, I'd bring in a rule to arrest any kids dressed like that!



Yeah, we know who are you, we're gonna get you!

[I3lade203]

LOL! Kids dress like that here to. It p*** me off.

[2nd_Recon]

If it's anything like here, they outnumber the cops. Good thing they are to spineless to do anything more than key someones car, or we'd really be in trouble

[El Brenty]

Well, new paint-job for a key scratch like this can cost upwards of £2000, the paint has to be completely rubbed down, and re-sprayed in layers, and into the adjoining panels. If you've got metallic paint, it'll never be the same again.

A replacement shopfront window (That has expletives and grafitti-style nonsense etched into the glass) can cost the better part of £2000 for a plate-glass window. You just can't polish out the scratches. Some little bugger near here hit 30 of the local shops - Average that by say £1000 a window, he's caused £30,000 worth of damage. I think that is completely mindless, doesn't achieve anything and if this person is caught, he should face a really tough penalty for it. It's just stupid.

Oh, and they also smash the glass in phone booths and bus shelters, just for the hell of it.

[Ornsack]

We're soooooooo off topic. But hey it's only natural -

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