Kids say and do the darndest things, don’t they? And if you can get it on film, that footage could be gold for your next business video. Anytime you are filming someone for professional use, you have to be smart when it comes to the legal side of things – especially when you are filming kids. Even when it may not be legally necessary, it is important to make sure that your team and the child’s parent or guardian are on the same page. There are a lot of grey areas when it comes to using kids in your business video, so here are some tips on being smart and safe and making it a pleasurable experience for everyone involved.
1. When in doubt, have a parent or guardian sign a waiver or release.
Especially when you are filming children to be used in your business video, you can never go wrong with having a parent/legal guardian sign a waiver. A waiver or “release” grants the producer of the video the legal right to use the image and voice of the person (or the child of that person) who signs the release.
· Why do you need a release? Without a release, the use of a person’s image and/or voice can be deemed a violation of that person’s right of privacy.
· What if it’s a close friend or relative’s child? Regardless of the circumstance, it is always in the best interest of your business to have the parent or guardian sign a waiver.
· A waiver or release also allows for everything to be in writing, ensuring that all parties are on the same page.
2. Always be respectful of the parents’ requests and/or wishes involving their child’s participation in your video.
We live in a world where a lot of parents can’t help but feel hesitant to allow their children to be a part of online videos accessible to the public eye, regardless of how professional they may be. When you find someone who is willing to allow their child to be a part of your business video, it is of utmost importance to be respectful of any requests or wishes that they may have.
· Be prepared to be flexible and open to any changes that you may need to make in order to be sure that everyone is comfortable with the video’s final cut.
3. Protecting the child’s anonymity should be a top priority.
Most people would agree that when it comes to using children in your business video, protecting the child’s anonymity is not only smart, but necessary. Assure the parents that their child’s name will not be released for any reason in the process of publishing the video.
· This is something that I would recommend including in the waiver or release form that the child’s parent or guardian will sign. This will likely ease their mind in knowing that you have the child’s best interest at heart and you plan to protect the privacy of the child in every way possible.
· If you are sharing the video on social media, refrain from tagging the parent or child without permission.
4. Make sure the parents are completely informed – leave no room for surprises.
When a parent allows their child to be a part of your business video they are doing you a huge favor. In return, it is your job to make sure that they feel comfortable with the process and are aware of everything that it entails.
· Explain to them the vision that you have for the video before you begin shooting so that there are no surprises involved.
· Inform the parents beforehand regarding the purpose of the video that you are filming, as well as what you plan to do with the video – where will this video be posted? Who will have access to the video? Having the answers to all of these questions will make the experience more pleasant for everyone involved.
5. Be prepared to answer any and all questions that the parents may have.
When it comes to using kids in your business videos, it is important for you as a professional to know your rights as well as the rights of the subject and their parent or guardian. Parents are likely going to have questions regarding the process and it will ease their mind when you are able to answer those questions quickly and efficiently.
Are you looking to incorporate video into your marketing strategy? Reach out to us at The Storyteller Agency. Call us at 850.267.0931 or send us an email to info@storytelleragency.com . We specialize in video production and can help you execute a creative video marketing strategy.
