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Free template

A video release form for everyone on camera.

“Can you take my interview out of the ad?”

When someone speaks on camera, the release has to cover more than their face: their words, edited for length, their name on screen, and where the film will run. This form covers interviews, testimonials and anyone featured in a film, with a line for a parent when they’re under 18.

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A starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ from state to state, so have a lawyer where you work read your version once before you rely on it.

What’s in it, and why.

  • Who and which film

    The person, the studio, the client the film is made for, and the production, by name and date.

  • What’s recorded

    Their image, voice, words and name, and their name and title shown on screen.

  • Where it can be used

    The client’s website, social media, ads, events and broadcast, worldwide. Narrow it to the uses you need, and the release is easier to sign.

  • Editing

    What they say can be shortened, reordered and combined with other footage, as long as it doesn’t change what they meant. That last part is the line people care about.

  • What they get

    Payment, a copy of the film, or nothing. Write it down either way.

  • Changing their mind

    They can ask to be left out of future uses, but not to recall what’s already published or printed. Saying so up front avoids the hard version of that conversation.

  • Minors

    A parent or legal guardian signs for anyone under 18.

The template.

Everything in brackets is yours to fill in. The Word file has the same words, ready to change.

Video Release

This release is given by [Participant name] (“the Participant”) to [Studio name] (“the Studio”) for the production [Project name], made for [Client name] (“the Client”) and recorded on [Shoot date] at [Location].

1. Consent to be recorded

The Participant agrees to be filmed and recorded, and to take part in [an interview / a testimonial / the production as described: a short description].

2. What this release covers

The Participant’s image, likeness, voice, statements and name, and their name and title shown on screen, as recorded at the production above (“the Recording”).

3. Use

The Studio, the Client and anyone they authorize may use the Recording in the finished film and in related promotion, including on websites, social media, advertising, events, broadcast and streaming, worldwide and without time limit. [Narrow this if agreed, for example: on the Client’s website and social media for three years.]

4. Editing

The Recording may be edited, shortened, reordered, captioned, translated and combined with other footage, music and graphics. The Studio and the Client will not edit the Participant’s statements in a way that changes their meaning or presents them falsely.

5. Consideration

In return, the Participant receives [payment amount / a copy of the finished film / no payment], which the Participant acknowledges.

6. Changing your mind

The Participant may ask in writing to be left out of future uses. The Studio and the Client will make reasonable efforts to honor that request, but cannot recall material already published, broadcast or printed.

7. Release of claims

The Participant releases the Studio and the Client from claims for invasion of privacy, right of publicity, defamation or payment arising from uses this release allows. The Studio and the Client are not required to use the Recording.

8. Age and authority

The Participant confirms they are 18 or older and free to sign this release. If the Participant is under 18, the parent or legal guardian signing below agrees to these terms on their behalf.

9. Governing law

This release is governed by the laws of [State].

Participant: signature, printed name and date
Parent or guardian (if the Participant is under 18): signature, printed name and date
Studio: signature, printed name and date
Download for WordDownload PDFSend it for signature

A starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ from state to state, so have a lawyer where you work read your version once before you rely on it.

Send it for signature.

Signatures is part of DropYourFiles, on every plan including Free. Your client signs on the same kind of link they review your work on.

  1. Download it for Word

    Open it in Word, Pages or Google Docs and change anything: your terms, your prices, your name. Save it as a Word file or a PDF.

  2. Upload it to Signatures

    In DropYourFiles, open Signatures and upload your file. Put a signature, initials and the date where each person signs, and fill-ins like the client’s name, the date and the price.

  3. Send your client a link

    Your client opens it on a phone or a computer, agrees to sign electronically, and draws or types a signature. No account, no app.

  4. Countersign and keep the record

    You sign in the studio. When everyone has signed, each person gets the signed copy by email, with a record of who signed and when, and it stays with that client in your studio.

Questions.

What is a video release form?

A signed permission from someone who appears in a film, letting the studio and its client use their image, voice and words. Using someone in commercial work without one is a risk you don’t need to take.

How is it different from a model release form?

A model release is written for a shoot, photos and video both. A video release adds what matters when someone speaks: their words can be edited for length, their name and title can appear on screen, and they won’t be edited to say something they didn’t mean.

Do I need a release for a video testimonial?

Yes. A testimonial is someone speaking for a business on camera, which is what a release is for. Get it signed before or on the day, not after the edit.

Can people sign it on their phones on set?

Yes. Upload the form to Signatures and send each person their own link. They agree to sign electronically and draw or type a signature, with no account, and you get the signed copy with a record of when it was signed.

Does everyone in the background need to sign?

Usually not a passing crowd. Anyone featured or recognizable in commercial work should. At events, a posted notice that filming is happening helps, but it isn’t a signed release.

Keep reading.

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