Model release for video

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preeti_pie

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Tweety
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Hello all...
I am sorry if this has been covered in previous threads but I wasn't sure about the video aspect of model release's.
I have recently been shot in for a music video and am unhappy with some of the scenes which I was shot in..
I expressed my concerns to the videomaker and the company and they have told me unless I pay £15k for a new video they will not edit out the scenes.
I am only asking to be cut out a few scenes not the whole video..but they are not listening to me and just said " we will put in whatever looks good"

I did not sign any model release forms but I did receive payment of £100. which I said I would give back if they edited me out...

Could anybody shed some further light on this, is there anything I can do legally??
Thank you so much
Tweety x
 
Legally, you can contact a solicitor, but it's unlikely that you'll be able to do anything about it other than file a civil suit, which may end up costing you more than £15K if you lose.
 
Thank you for the prompt reply - I see...so my chances of doing anything about it are very slim.. :(
Im guessing the video company would just laugh it off if I mentioned involving a solicitor.. :confused:
 
No they wouldn't laugh it off, more likely crepe their britches knowing they haven't got written permission. If you're totally unhappy with the scenes insist on a re-edit, but . . . Believe me, no-one is gonna release a video that shows anyone looking a duffer (spoof apart) but sometimes we only have eyes for ourselves and fail to see the bigger picture. You must be crucial to the scenes otherwise they could/should be able to find alternative shots. Is the video edited now?
 
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The point is mercedes, on a paid shoot, they can't just snip scenes in the edit phase at will without great expense if there's nothing else to fill in the footage. It may not be a case of the person being crucial to the scene, but the scene as a whole may be crucial to the sequence.

Location, crew, MUA, stylists, and others all need to be paid if there's a reshoot. This is why few actors & subjects in movies & music videos have very little creative control. :)

I'd say they *might* laugh it off if you mentioned solicitor to them (basically to try to intimidate you), which is why you don't mention it to them. You just contact one and see what they say. You threatening them with a solicitor isn't as effective as a solicitor actually sending them a headed letter. :)

If there was no contract signed through, you may not have a leg to stand on.
 
Really, Tweety, you'll need to decide whether to put yourself forward for any other parts if you want editorial control. Unless the video has gone pornographic, you'll have to live with it, in my opinion.
 
The fact that you haven't signed a model release doesn't make much odds frankly, though it's very sloppy practise and is a cirumstantial point in your favour. You were hired for a job, you did it, presumably willingly.

Unless you were bullied into doing something seriously derogatory, which truly defames your character and may threaten your career, and were mislead about the shoot, that's tough. Presumably this is a fictional video...

We can't possibly advise without knowing exactly what has been done, and why this is a major problem for you. You need to take that to a solicitor.

However, if you have been wrongly defamed or mislead, then take it forward. Your solicitor will know if you've got a case or not. My guess is that a court would be symathetic to that kind of abuse, though these things very rarely get anywhere near that.

Your solicitor would write outlining your position, the defendants would take legal advice and what then usually happens is that the defendant's solicitor agrees that you have indeed got a case and advises their client to settle. If it's not clear cut, prepare for a struggle.

Edit: I don't mean to imply sexual abuse or defamation. It can be anything, but obviously pretty serious and with repercussions beyond a bit of temprorary upset.
 
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More detailed info from tweety = more detailed advice here :)
 
Hi everyone can I ask a similar question, not sure where to find any possible previous questions similar buuut...

A few months ago I did a music video as a model/dancer, in the job description the company said it was paid, but when we arrived they said that only featured models would be paid (there were about 50 girls there!)

A lot of people left after this but I stayed and model release forms were handed out, we were there for hours doing this video and there were lots of shots of me.

I forgot to hand in my model release form (there was a problem with the rented space which meant loads of people left in a hurry) but I was asked to leave my number as they had quite a few shots with me in it, and they were thinking of doing a re-shoot for pick ups.

A few months later and have heard nothing about re-shoot, or payment so I contact the producer/man in charge of the shoot and he tells me the video has already been released on YouTube and will be on iTunes at the end of April, featured models will be contacted about payment...??

I asked what classified as 'featured' and he said in the video for 15 secs or more, I tallied up my appearances and it just about hits 15secs.

Do they have to pay me?
They haven't got my model release and its for commercial purposes (selling on iTunes), if they say i'm not technically 'featured' can I tell them to remove the parts with me in it, or demand payment? I've been modelling on/off for a while and this is the first time I've come across something like this???

:confused:

Any advice would be great, thanks!!
 
This sounds more like breach of contract than a model release thing, primarily.

They said featured models would be paid, and you haven't been. Maybe just a mix up and they've lost your contact details.

Unless it was made clear that 'featured' meant 15 secs or more at the shoot, and you're appearance/s are under that, then you should be paid. Featured is featured, regardless of the time. Unless there is some industry standard precedent for this 15 secs thing, it should only reflect the amount of money.

What does the unsigned model release say? There should be provision on there for a 'consideration' that usually specifies the fee and will outline terms.

Don't get stroppy with them until you've heard what they have to say. The model release thing is significant, but secondary. Presumably you would have signed it, and it would (should) have made things clear. The real issue is you haven't been paid. You seem to have a good case.
 
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