Clearances

Clearances

• Mechanical Copyright Protection Society- Performing Rights Society Alliance (MCPS-PRS)
• Model releases
• Location permissions

PRS are a society of various songwriters, music publishers and composers. These individuals within the organisation license other company's, productions and individuals to use and perform their members owned copyright music. The company make it accessable to distribute other individuals original work and music so that others that wish to use and perform this do not take credit and ownership for something that is not theirs.

MCPS and PRS have formed an alliance together so that their members have full protection over work and music that is originally theirs. Mechanical Copyright Protection Society represents their members' mechanical rights which enables them to protect these individuals pieces of music when it is reproduced as a physical product. Performing Rights Society represents its members' performing rights which means that whenever a piece of their music is performed or played in a public place outside of the home it is protected from being copyrighted by any other individual.

PRS represents songwriters, music publishers and composers as well as collects royalties for these individuals or organisations for when their material is publicly performed. This includes both recorded and live music performances that could be used on things such as television or radio. PRS ensures that the creators of the music that is used by some industries and organisations receives the credit and payment they rightfully deserve.

MCPS represent their members just like PRS although they both have their differences as well as comparisons. MCPS protect their members from having their work stolen, lost and repossessed when it has been transformed into a physical product whereas PRS protect these individuals from the same thing but when it is being performed. For example, if a band wanted to perform a cover song that belonged to a different artist; this artist will be protected and will be known as the original creator of that piece of music/ song.

Clearance is defined as having official authorisation of something in order for proceedings to take place. To be able to use a piece of work whatever it is whether it is music, photos, footage, brands and images etc; you need to have correct clearance to be able to say that you have permission to use these in your short film. Failing to gain and possess the correct clearance for features you include in your production can have serious consequences such as being sued or fined by these companies, brands and owners.

Filmmakers and productions need release forms so that they are protected from individuals who can potentially go against them. Some may possibly take matters far enough to sue and request features to not be used in your short film which will create a barrier within the production process. Filmmakers also need these release forms so that talent and people involved within the film are committed to the footage, sounds etc they produce so that the film production has permission to use these with correct consent.

Locations

Most of the time a production will have a Locations Manager(s). These individuals will research and identify locations and areas that are acceptable to film in. They will also try to ensure that they meet the standards, expectations and visions that the producer and director have. Location scouts are also available to assist these managers in researching and exploring possible ideas and options for filming environments. It is important for these individuals to research the areas that they want to film in for various reasons. They want to ensure that:

• There are no/ not many potential health and safety risks
• The weather will not become a limitation or risk
• The distance to travel to the destination is not too great
•  It is accessable to all members within the production
• The facility/ environment is not going to cost a huge sum of money

Location managers and scouts have various ways of exploring and identifying different areas to film in. Libraries, local location offices and location resources and all offered and available to the production.

After identifying location(s) that fit the requirements of the production, Location scouts will explore these further ensuring that these environments are suitable and appropriate. These individuals may take photographs and notes about the surrounding area. It is important for Location scouts to take notes of their full environment which includes potential sounds that could disrupt the recording and filming. Some properties that they may wish to use might have a fee or significant cost to use so the production team needs to be aware of this and identify this if they still want to use this as a filming location.

Location scouts are required to do a recce checklist and form. This recce checklist has a number of things that need to be identified and remembered when at the chosen location(s). The recce form is to be able to identify important factors and what needs to be understood correctly. These are things such as:

• The areas health and safety risks
• Accessability and electric supply

The final procedure that needs to be completed is a Locations evaluation. This underlines how the whole area/ facility is altogether which can include:

• Strengths and weaknesses
• If it is an appropriate location
• Health and safety risk factors
• Potential costs

Time

There are various features that take time and need to be thought about. These are things such as:

• Deadlines
• Availability of equipment
• Availability of personnel
• Timescales for clearances

Contributor biographies

There are various different types of contributors to short films, such as:

• Specialists
• Experts
• Public
• Talent

Contributor biographies

Experts, talent and specialists who get involved in key roles within the production and performance will usually be represented by a biography in marketing for the film, for example press kits.

Above-the-line production personnel will also be given biographies in a press folder. These individuals are:

• Producer
• Screenwriter
• Director
• Principal actors

Types of materials

Materials in film is defined as anything that is used in film that is physical or digital artefacts. These materials can include your own generated resources as well as archive footage and library sound materials.

Types of materials

• Original
• Archive and library
• Sound library
• Photo library
• Internet
• Audio
• Script
• Assets
• Graphics
• Interviews
• Costumes
• Recorded music
• Properties

Original materials

This is defined as your own created piece of work. It refers to "in-house" that is created by individuals within the production team.