I'm seeking specific information about how to best acquire
Television broadcast-quality segments of President Clinton & Bush's
speeches, press conferences, etc. including the cost structure to
properly license them for use in a for-profit documentary.

I have about 70 separate clips in mind that I have identified by
searching the text of speeches,(though not a complete list yet), each
between 15 and 60 seconds long.

Cost is a significant factor, so, if possible, the government is
probably my first choice in terms of sourcing the material. I believe
the content of these clips is in the public domain, but I?m not sure
how to find or acquire them through the government.  While the actual
voice and images of Presidents Bush and Clinton are in the public
domain, there's probably some administrative cost and cost for the
actual video, even if sourced through the government.

Is there a central repository or clearing house, such as the Library
of Congress or National Archives, where this content is available? 
Since these are Presidential communications, my thought is that
they're kept as a video record, ideally within the government and
accessible via the Freedom of Information Act.

If the above is definitely not available through any branch or agency
of the government, then perhaps there is a private entity such as the
Associated Press or C-SPAN, or wherever else your insight and
experience leads you.

Thank you very much for your time and expertise.  I'm very much
looking forward to what your research pulls together.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 25 Jan 2006 07:36 PST

Mark,

Thanks for being persistent with this question, even though it's a tough one.

The problem, of course, is that videos stem from many different
sources, and there's no one-stop shopping spot that I'm aware of that
is likely to have all 70 -- or even most -- of the clips you're
looking for.

A good starting point, though, is probably the AP video archives:


http://www.aptnlibrary.com/


Take a look at what their service has to offer, and then get back to
us to let us know what sort of additional sources you need to get you
closer to a complete set of 70 clips.


Good luck,

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by markthegeek-ga on 25 Jan 2006 08:55 PST

Hello pafalafa and thanks for your time and input.

I've been to the AP video archives, which I thank you for and think is
a good point of departure, but I can't help but think that some
informed person out there is aware of what I'm seeking,ideally through
the gov't.

Best,

-MG

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 06 Feb 2006 08:42 PST

mtg-ga,

Hi...just checking in.

Between my work, and the helpful comments made by katecoe-ga, I think
we've arrived at the following:

--there are not any comprehensive, public domain sources of free
footage.  Most of the material belongs to news services, and is only
commercially available.

--The White House does make some select video available on its
website, but the odds are slim that these would include the precise
film you're looking for.

--Three sources of commercially-available material have been identified:

     -the AP archives at:  http://www.aptnlibrary.com/

     -BBC/CBS archives at:  http://www.bbcmotiongallery.com

     -NY1 archives (only back to 1999) at:  http://www.ny1.com


Can you let me know what additional information you would like at this
point, to make for a complete answer to your question?

Thanks a lot...and best of luck!


paf

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Request for Question Clarification by easterangel-ga on 07 Feb 2006 17:30 PST

Hi markthegeek-ga!

Thank you for your patience.

This article is an interesting read to your problem.

http://www.jimgilliam.com/2004/01/licensing_government_video_footage.php

In light of that article, how do you want us to proceed with your question?

Regards,
Easterangel-ga

You can license these clips from news outlets, etc. I might be able to
give you better information.

Since Google isn't taking any applications for experts, I'll answer in
hopes that this will help.  You can't get the clips for free, even if
you're a nonprofit. But you can get a very cheap rate, esp. if you're
a student film.

You can try the BBC Motion Gallery which also sells CBS news footage.
You need the exact dates of the speeches.  This footage as broadcast
is not public domain. The government doesn't supply this recent
footage.

You can also try NY1 which is cheaper than the big networks, or you
can try local DC stations.
I do clearance for a living.

Dear katecoe-ga,

Thank you so much for your generous and helpful response.  I wish you
were with Google Answers so I could offer you monetary compensation,
but perhaps this clarification will help in your efforts to get
approved once they begin accepting new Experts.

Best,

-Mark G.