Video Release Form Template
Whether you’re a filmmaking hobbyist or a full-blown production house, it’s crucial to understand the importance of a video release form and its use.
Free Video Release Form Templates
Whether you’re a filmmaking hobbyist or a full-blown production house, it’s crucial to understand the importance of a video release form and its use.
To make it easy for you, we’ve worked with legal experts and proofreaders to create a simple video release form (PDF and Word) for you to use when you need it.
Click below to grab a copy of our video release form template
What is a video release form?
Obtaining a signed video release form is one of the most overlooked steps in the video production process.
In an attempt to make the best possible video for a project, you may inadvertently capture branding, people, private property, or minors. You then go on to publish and share your work for commercial purposes.
This situation can have significant legal implications as you didn’t take the time to get consent from your subjects to be in your film. Essentially, you’re violating your subjects’ privacy and making money from their presence—which is a big no-no!
A video release form is a legally binding contract between a videographer and a subject where the subject transfers the ownership of the footage to the filmmaker.
DISCLAIMER: We are not lawyers or a law firm and we do not provide legal, business or tax advice. We recommend you consult a lawyer or other appropriate professional before using any templates or agreements from this website.
Get access to our free
Video Release Forms
As a videographer, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to privacy and copyright. Save yourself the time, hassle, and headaches and use our free video release form, so you can focus on creating beautiful films.
Click below to download our template today
When do you need to use a video consent form?
Firstly, you only need to get consent from subjects if you plan on using a video for commercial purposes.
If, for example, you’re using a film for your personal library or editorial, then you don’t require a video release.
If you’re producing films for commercial purposes, then there are quite a few situations where you’ll need to use a standard video release form, including capturing footage of:
- • People
- • Private property
- • Trademarks
- • Artwork
- • Landmarks
- • Logos
- • Pets
Keep in mind that all of the subjects need to be recognizable to warrant consent
When don't you require a video production release form?
You don’t need a video consent form if the subject or location is unidentifiable. For example, you can capture footage of random bushland that looks similar to many other landscapes. Or you record a generic meal on a plate, and it’s almost impossible to tell who owns it.
As long as you can prove that your subject is unidentifiable beyond a reasonable doubt, then a release form isn’t required.
If you’re interested in learning more about video release forms, check out the video below.
Get access to our free Video
Release Form
As a videographer, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to privacy and copyright. Save yourself the time, hassle, and headaches and use our free video release form, so you can focus on creating beautiful films.
Click below to download our template today
How do you position a standard video release form?
So let’s say you’ve planned a filming project and you want to capture an identifiable subject that a person owns, how do you approach them with your form?
It can be quite confronting to explain your video release policy, especially to strangers!
The first thing is first, make sure you have your video release form on hand. It will be tempting to proceed without the documents, or trust that the models will sign them later, but it’s essential to hold off the shoot until you have the signed documents.
When presenting the film release form template, try not to make a big deal of it. Tell your client that you need them to sign your video release before proceeding with the shoot. Ask them to read over your form and sign when they’re ready.
More often than not, clients will read through your contract and sign it without any questions asked. After all, they’d likely know in advance that you’re a videographer and expected that you’d have ownership over the footage.
If they do have questions about your release form, calmly and firmly address their queries. Sometimes it’s worth explaining how you’ll be using the media to put the clients’ minds at ease.
You could take it a step further and give them examples of how you’ve used client media in the past. This creates a level of normalcy with the nature of your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ for Video Release Forms
A media release and a video release from are very similar and, in some cases, can be used interchangeably. However, there’s one distinct difference between the two forms.
A video release is a legally binding contract that grants authorization to a party to use video footage of a subject.
A media release form includes the same terms as a video release but also applies to other media assets, including pictures, print, and recorded sound of a subject.
A video release is a legally binding contract that grants authorization to a party to use video footage of a subject.
A media release form includes the same terms as a video release but also applies to other media assets, including pictures, print, and recorded sound of a subject.
If you capture footage of an identifiable subject for enjoyment or artistic expression for yourself, then you don’t need a release form.
However, if you plan on publishing or selling footage of an identifiable subject, you’ll need a video release form.
However, if you plan on publishing or selling footage of an identifiable subject, you’ll need a video release form.
The videographer will generally own the copyright. However, it can vary depending on:
- The licensing agreement
- Whether the videographer is employed for their skills
- If the footage has been commissioned
While you can capture footage of strangers, you can’t publish their video content without their written and signed consent.
In most countries, you need to be at least eighteen years old to sign a legally binding contract. As a video release form is considered a formal agreement, a parent or guardian would need to sign the form on behalf of the child.
We recognize that our form may need to be modified depending on the needs of your clients. That’s why we’ve made our template available in Word so you can edit the document as needed.
If you intend to make significant amendments to the release form, we suggest you consult with a lawyer to ensure you have adequate protection.
If you intend to make significant amendments to the release form, we suggest you consult with a lawyer to ensure you have adequate protection.
document preview
Video Release Form
Video Release Form
– I, ______________, herein authorize ______________ to use, edit, copy, exhibit, distribute and use any video or videos of me for any lawful purpose.
– The authorization I provide herein extends to all languages, formats, and media that have been discovered now or will later be discovered.
– The term of this authorization is indefinite and will be active unless I revoke it in writing.
– Hereby, I also waive my right to approve and/or inspect a product where I appear or my likeness appears.
– I also agree and state that I have been compensated for this use of my likeness and/or have agreed to these Video Release conditions without compensation.
– I hereby waive all and any rights to all royalties or any other compensation in any form when it comes to the use of the video or videos indicated in this form.
– I consent that the materials will be the sole property of ______________ and shall not be returned to me.
– I release ______________ from any liability, petitions, and causes of actions caused by me or by my heirs, executives or any other party and will hold him/her harmless.
Videographer
Name: ______________________
Signature: ___________________
Date: _______________________
Company
Name: ______________________
Signature: ___________________
Date: _______________________
Related Proposals and Templates
Get access to our free Video
Release Form
As a videographer, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to privacy and copyright. Save yourself the time, hassle, and headaches and use our free video release form, so you can focus on creating beautiful films.
Click below to download our template today
