Copyright CAN be easy to deal with.

farss wrote on 1/20/2004, 3:01 PM
After all the hubris last time I posted something about copyright I'm a little gun shy but here goes:

Needed some footage of one of our landmarks for a clients DVD. I had some copyright material produced by our state government tourism board.
Not wanting to expose myself and my client to any expensive litigation I rang them, The answer, "Not a problem, send us an email and we'll send you written authroisation".

Now this isn't a commerical product I'm making, things may be a bit different in that case. But it does underline the point that firstly there must be heaps of this kinds of footage around if you ask nicely and secondly a simple phone call can let you sleep a lot better.

To shoot the same footage myslef I'd have been looking at at least $5,000 by the time I paid for the chopper, the gyro mounts and a camera and the insurance.

Comments

Sr_C wrote on 1/20/2004, 4:38 PM
EXACTLY!!

My motto has always been "it doesn't hurt to ask.....the worst they can say is no"

To many people assume that the process is out of their reach and too complicated to get permission. So they simply don't get the footage they want or do it without permission which can backfire of course.

I shot a music video in a very well known local club. Everyone around me said I could never get permission or I would have to pay high rates to use the space. I asked and the owner not only said yes, he opened up the club after hours, provided free security, allowed my 100 extras in and provided everyone with a free round after the shoot was complete. Why? Because I purposefully made sure the clubs logo was behind the band at all times! That was payment enough for him!

I shot another one at a local restaurant that also opened its doors after hours, gave us free pop and let us use theri uniforms. all for free!

I also got permission to shoot at the majestic St. Paul Cathedrial......simply by asking!
kevgl wrote on 1/20/2004, 5:11 PM
Tourism boards here are a bit different.

The doco I'm working on at the moment is of a motorcycling tour that has the backing of Tourism Tasmania and Events Tasmania. They've virtually demanded we use their footage (not quite that strong) but it makes it easier for me in that there were a few places where I knew I didn't have to go and shoot as the footage was there and free.

That's what a tourism board is for, to get the message out ...

Cheers
musicvid10 wrote on 1/20/2004, 10:28 PM
It isn't always this easy, but I like to tell about an experience with a major producer in the UK. I wanted to use material that had not even been released in the US in a revue I was producing. I emailed them thinking their asking rate might be too high for our budget. The reply I got back was, "We like your idea, go right ahead, just don't change the music or lyrics." After sending them proof of our BMI membership, we got permission to use the material for free.

Like I say, this doesn't happen every time, but asking and being rejected is a lot healthier than being shut down. Just my 2c (again).

BTW, having that ASCAP and/or BMI membership can sure grease a lot of wheels if you are in the business more than just casually.
BrianStanding wrote on 1/21/2004, 9:10 AM
I generally make it a policy to work with independent, preferably local, musicians, still photographers and other skilled artists/artisans wherever possible.

In this age of CD-burners and MP3 downloads, many musicians, for example, self-produce and distribute their own work. This greatly simplifies negotiating copyright issues, since they are often the sole owner of all rights to the music, lyrics and recording. I've had very good luck simply asking self-produced up-and-coming bands for permission to use their music. Many will be happy to let you use something for free, in exchange for a copy of the finished piece for their portfolio.

I've also had good luck posting a notice at the local music school, looking for a musician to score a piece. With luck, you can even get someone to compose an original score just for the experience.