Actor Photo Release Form Templates

Posted August 5th, 2008 by Corey Rollins

This post is part of the series AdHack Essential Files for Ad Creators.

There are precious few absolute blacks and whites in the law, only shades of gray. But in a way, this is not a bad situation. Indeed, if the law were exact, allowing all of us to predict the legal outcome of every event, there would be no need for lawyers. And without lawyers, of course, we would have no lawyer jokes.

You can use a simple agreement to protect yourself from invasion-of-privacy lawsuits brought by your actors (or even bystanders) in your video productions. The agreement is called a release. By signing the release, the person waives the right of privacy and cannot sue you at a later date for copying or exhibiting the tape.

Below you will find two versions. One for when your paying actors, and one for when you ask really really really nice and get someone to work for free.

We recommend you use the "paid work" form if you don't know the people very well, and want a little extra security. Even if you're not paying anyone.

Since courts avoid having to determine whether compensation is adequate, it can hold a contract valid if the performer receives any consideration. Even $1.

So, if you want to include any part of a person (image or voice) or the person's property you should have them sign a release, and when possible give them 1$. (Keep a supply of releases in your camera bag.)

It's well worth a dollar to stay out of court.