We are planning to video tape a picnic here in Heritage Village (a
community of 3,900 active adults in Southbury, Connecticut) and plan
to show it on our community television channel. Do we need to have an
appearance release form completed for everyone that appears in the
video?

I am not aware of a Connecticut law that says you ~must~ use a photo
release, but you will save yourself a ton of headaches down the road
if you do get one from everyone that appears.  Although it is unlikely
that anyone who appears could sue you for, e.g., right of
publicity-type claims, it is always prudent to secure rights from
everyone whose image appears so that you are free to use the image in
the broadcast and then subsequently if you choose.

Here is a form:


RELEASE FOR PHOTO/VIDEO SHOOT / NAME USAGE / NEWS CONTENT


In consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

	THE UNDERSIGNED, having agreed to have his/her picture (still or
moving; collectively, the "Photos") taken by and offer content for a
news story/video shoot to ________________ (?Releasee?) occurring on
or about _________, 2004, acknowledges that his/her decision to permit
such Picture taking and content usage was strictly voluntary.

	The undersigned hereby assigns to Releasee all rights s/he may hold
in any Photos taken of him/her by Releasee or its agents and in any
content provided to Releasee.  The undersigned further acknowledges
and agrees that all Photos taken of him/her by Releasee are the
property of Releasee.  Additionally, the undersigned agrees and
authorizes Releasee to use such Photos, his/her name and provided
content in any manner which Releasee, in its sole discretion, may
elect.  Such use could include use in any media, including but not
limited to, publishing in internal or public company documents; use in
advertising (print, television, or radio); and/or use on Internet or
Intranet.

The undersigned further agrees that his/her assignment of all rights
to such Photos, use of his/her name, and use of statements is
irrevocable.

If any portion of this Agreement shall be unlawful, void, or for any
reason, unenforceable, it shall be deemed severable from, and shall in
no way affect the validity or enforceability of, the remaining
provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain valid and enforceable
according to its terms.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut.  By
signing below, I am affirm that I of legal age and have capacity to
contract in the state of Connecticut.

Name:

Signature:

Date: 

(Note the below disclaimer--this is not a substitute for legal advice
from a Connecticut lawyer.)


						________________________________
									Signature

			________________________________
								Name (Printed)

If you plan on shooting crowd scenes and groups of random people --
another way to go about it is to have signs printed up that says
something along the lines of "XYZ Television is videotaping here and
by being in this area you agree that your image may be used on XYZ
Television."   There are some legal terms to use, but basically that's
the gist of it.   You then post the sign or signs where they can be
seen.   They don't have to be obtrusive -- but they have to be
visible.  Then you ALSO should have your camerman shoot the SIGN as
the sign as part of your footage to prove that you provided this
information to the crowd.
If you are interviewing specific people -- as opposed to general crowd
shots -- then you'd be wise to get signed releases.
And of course, you may want Heritage Village management to sign a
"location release," giving you permission to shoot there.  Unless
they're the "client."