Enchant Film (tm) Filming

FILMING General Practice   (c) Enchant Film      Back      Over the last couple of decades technology has made quality cinematic filming possible with a car full of kit, instead of a truck load or two, cinematic cameras can now be hand held, smart camera drones can replace camera cranes and tracked cameras. There's a much greater range of possibilities for small production teams.   We welcome suggestions for films within our limits for consideration, it helps if those proposing provide outline descriptions of what they see being on film. This helps us in the initial creative assessment and outline planning.   Commissions are most welcome and naturally take priority. We own and have every technical and know how element in house, latest Hollywood capability kit on a small scale and 25 years experience in film making, this makes us highly time and cost efficient. Contact us and be pleasantly surprised.      Contact Us      Various types of film work can be divided into the following groups: Public Events (eg: open events in public spaces with no entry charge) News content Promotional Films (eg: intended for a public audience to promote something) Private Films (eg: family group or organisation events) Closed Events (eg: held in a non public closed event space, tickets / invites only) Closed TV and Cinematic Productions (eg: Adverts, Programmes, Documentaries, Cinema films) There are long standing film working practices which differ for each group, these are very briefly outlined below:   Public Events typically occur in open public spaces where anyone is free to come and go. While filming is generally unrestricted, the main rules that apply are film content must be “Legal, Decent and Honest” and no individual member or group of the public in scene dwelled on or particularly focused on. An exception is where individuals give consent to talk to camera or with presenters.   It is better if it's obvious to the public filming is taking place so those wishing to avoid inclusion in scene can do so. A large TV type camera on tripod with furry microphones is a clear flag filming is taking place, temporary signs or boards and team t-shirts can also help make this clear. If possible, talk to event participants in advance.   Care needs to be taken with those under 18, they are not considered able to consent, unless with an adult who can see filming is taking place. There is a large amount of red tape (releases and consents) for specifically focusing on and filming under 18s, it's simpler to avoid this without advance special arrangements. It is rare someone will ask to be removed from footage but it does happen and should be complied with if at all possible. Street entertainment also needs care (see Music further down), many performing will seek exposure, it's better to have consent from them, it is their duty to disclose any copyright elements of performance.   News Content Most often news film is made in the Public Space, whatever is there during a news event is covered, as far as possible the Public Events rules apply. Care needs to be taken not to included content that would be too distressing nor focus on individuals without consent.   Promotional Films if filmed in the Public Space the same rules apply as Public Events above, otherwise see Closed Events below.   Private Films There will always be a Host (commissioner) who requests and makes an arrangement for filming and will make clear what should be included in footage. The Host should have ensured any premises owner has given consent for filming. Care should be taken to ensure requirements are “Legal Decent and Honest“ and all subjects are aware of filming in advance. It's typical to set up a no film safe zone in advance. Ownership of the footage and final production, subject to arrangements, will normally rest with the host and not continue to be held by the production team once completed.   Closed Events If not by Enchant Film, the event Host (organiser) needs to give or arrange filming consents and ensure agreements are in place for the purposes the film production is to be used for (eg: promotion) and ultimate ownership of the completed film production.   If performances are taking place numerous rights may apply to the performance and music (see Music below). Those attending need to know filming is taking place if they are not positioned in a no film safe zone. Production planning should occur well before so all required can be in place and individual roles fully understood.   It's a fact of life that many attending performance events will record the event on their smart phones as video with sound. These are rarely good enough for professional purposes and have no value except to the individual making the recording.   Closed TV and Cinematic Productions These are generally well planed long in advance and closely managed by production teams, the public held back in safe zones as appropriate to the production.   MUSIC   Music much of the time is every where, a natural feature of every day life. If film productions contain copyright music then royalties may need to be paid, typically this is through the rights holder or PRS (Performing Rights Society - www.prsformusic.com) who collect royalties, they can advise.   Exceptions include fair use of appropriate portions for news reporting and review but there is no legal definition of fair use, each case rests on it's merits. Would the use affect the market for the original work, would it cause loss of revenue to the rights holder? Or conversely would it promote revenue generation?   Coincidental or invasive music from a variety of sources is exempt. This may come from passing or parked cars playing loud music (radio or CD etc), retail premises or homes who's music played spills out into the public street (eg: shops, pubs and nightclubs) or musicians freely performing in the public street or open public space.   Contact us for any further information.      Back