Talent / Appearance Release

Template only. Adapt to your production and have a lawyer review before use.

Talent / Appearance Release

Production: [WORKING TITLE OF FILM] (the "Picture")
Producer: [PRODUCTION COMPANY OR PRODUCER NAME], [ADDRESS] ("Producer")
Participant: [FULL LEGAL NAME], [ADDRESS] ("I" or "me")
Role / appearance: [CHARACTER NAME, "INTERVIEWEE", "BACKGROUND", "CONGREGATION", ETC.]
Date(s) of recording: [DATES]

This is the standard release Producer asks of everyone who appears on camera or on the soundtrack, whether as a cast member, interview subject, background performer, or member of a congregation or audience being filmed. Read it before you sign. If you have questions, ask before the camera rolls.

Terms

1. Consent to record. I agree that Producer may photograph, film and record me, my voice, my performance, my name, my likeness and any biographical material I provide (together, my "Appearance") in connection with the Picture.
2. Grant of rights. I give Producer, and anyone Producer authorizes, the right to use, edit, cut, dub, subtitle, reproduce, distribute, exhibit, advertise and otherwise use my Appearance, in whole or in part, in the Picture and in trailers, clips, stills, behind-the-scenes material, press and promotional material, and any other work derived from the Picture. This right applies in all media now known or later developed, throughout the world, for as long as the law allows.
3. Ownership. As between Producer and me, the recordings of my Appearance and the Picture belong to Producer. To the extent my Appearance would otherwise give me any copyright in the recordings, I agree it is a work made for hire for Producer, and if it is not, I assign that copyright to Producer.
4. Consideration. In exchange for these rights I have received [DESCRIBE: A FEE OF $[AMOUNT] / A COPY OF THE FINISHED PICTURE / SCREEN CREDIT / THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR], which I agree is fair and sufficient. I understand I will not receive any further payment, royalty or share of revenue from the Picture, however it is distributed.
5. No obligation to use. Producer is not required to use my Appearance, to finish the Picture, or to release it. Producer may edit or shorten my Appearance in any way, but will not edit it to make it appear that I said or did something I did not.
6. Waiver of inspection and approval. I will not have the right to inspect or approve the Picture, the way my Appearance is used, or any advertising in which it appears.
7. Credit. If Producer chooses to credit me, the credit will read [NAME AS IT SHOULD APPEAR], with size and placement at Producer's discretion. An accidental failure to give credit is not a breach of this release.
8. My assurances. I confirm that I am free to sign this release, that I have not given anyone else rights that conflict with it, and that any material I contribute (a story, a song, a photograph) is my own or I have permission to share it.
9. Release of claims. I release Producer, its licensees and assigns from any claim I might have arising from the use of my Appearance as permitted here, including claims for invasion of privacy, defamation, or violation of publicity rights. This does not release claims based on Producer's fraud or deliberate misconduct.
10. Entire agreement. This release is the whole agreement between Producer and me about my Appearance. Changes must be in writing and signed by both of us. If one part is unenforceable, the rest still applies.

Signatures

Participant
Signature: ______________________________
Printed name: [FULL LEGAL NAME]
Date: ______________
Phone / email: [CONTACT]

Producer
Signature: ______________________________
Printed name and title: [NAME, TITLE]
Date: ______________

Parent or Guardian Consent (required if the Participant is under 18)

I am the parent or legal guardian of the Participant named above. I have read this release, I have the authority to sign it on the Participant's behalf, and I agree to its terms for myself and for the Participant. I will not revoke this consent and I will not permit the Participant to revoke it.

Signature: ______________________________
Printed name: [PARENT / GUARDIAN NAME]
Relationship to Participant: [RELATIONSHIP]
Date: ______________

Producer's notes (delete before use)

• Have the release signed before recording. A release signed afterwards is better than nothing but harder to rely on if the person has changed their mind.
• One release per person per production. A sign-in sheet that references this release can work for a large crowd scene; interview subjects and named cast should each sign their own.
• Rules about contracts with minors vary by state, and a parent cannot always waive everything on a child's behalf. Ask your lawyer before relying on the guardian block for a principal child performer.
• Filming a congregation at a real liturgy? Post notice at the doors, announce it before the liturgy begins, and offer a camera-free section. The pastor's permission is in the Location Agreement, not here.