Get a personal release for everyone who speaks on camera or is the subject of long/close shot!
If your project is at all PARTNERED (sponsored or branded) - everyone filmed must sign a release!
You must fill out the release form fully PRIOR TO THE SUBJECT SIGNING"
BEST PRACTICE: Write a description of the person on their personal release while still in the field, OR take a photo of the individual holding their signed release & attach the photo to the scanned copy of the release once back in office!
- Anyone under the age of 18 needs at least one parental or legal guardian signature on their release in order for it to be considered valid
- Even if your local law says that you do not need a parent's signature, the VICE GLOBAL STANDARD requires you to get at least one parent/guardian to sign the release
- On the flip side, be sure to check with your local Legal Counsel as your territory may require MORE than one parent/guardian signature (looking at you UK!)
MENTALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS
- It is important that the person signing a personal release understand what they are signing!
- If someone is mentally impaired - for instance, if they have autism, dementia, or a psychiatric disorder - their release MUST be signed by their guardian in order for it to be considered valid
- NO! The ONLY time on-camera releases are acceptable is in the following situations:
- Your subject is illiterate - meaning they can not read or write
- It is physically impossible or dangerous to secure a written release
- You are filming in a contagious disease area (for example, during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia)
- You are filming during a riot or large protest, or in an active war zone
IF ON-CAMERA RELEASES *MUST* BE USED - It is extremely important that you follow these guidelines:
- Your subject MUST:
- Say their full name (first & last)
- Confirm that they are above the age 18
- Confirm that they understand they are participating in the program
- Confirm that they give VICE full permission to exploit their participation in all media, worldwide, in perpetuity
- When you return from filming, you must compile all on-camera releases into one video & upload the video to the VL2 entry for your production
- NOTE: LEARN MORE ABOUT VL2 HERE.