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.