THE SCOOP ON RELEASE FROMS -
WHY WE DON'T SIGN AT AUDITIONS...
by Hester schell

OK, this issue is really...reelly....burning me up... Please folks, the only way to stop inexperienced and unknowing filmmakers from insisting you sign a release at the audition is not to sign them. IF YOU GET THE PART, yes, you will need to sign a release and that is standard. Filmmakers do not have any right to audition footage, which is usually low quality, poorly lit, and not usable in a final cut. Audition footage has one purpose: to further evaluate you, on camera, for suitability for a specific part. If an filmmaker wishes to include audition footage in the final cut, then IT IS NOT AUDITION FOOTAGE. It becomes performance footage and the audition is NOT an audition, but in fact, a SHOOT DATE. If it is a shoot date, then you would have your name in the credits, and be compensated in whatever manner has been previously negotiated, such as copy, credit, meals, parking, dry cleaning, bridge tolls, etc.

Since I've been on this story, I've been able to track down how this practice started. It is something like this: Back in the early days of Music Television (MTV), which was all non-union, musicians and filmmakers were fleshing out a new entertainment form. They would have open calls. In most cases just about everyone who showed up would be in the audience for that particular band to help fill up the screen with happy, dedicated fans, to help sell the band to the record companies..."Look at all these loyal, screaming fans...who just LOVE this band." So, at the audition, they would take care of what would become necessary paperwork so they could move people right onto the set for the music video. So many music videos have been done over the years, that filmmakers seem to think this is the way it is done. It is not and especially not in narrative fiction features.

Auditions are not final character preparations anyway. You haven't had the benefit of any rehearsals with the director to flesh out fully realized character choices. You haven't had the benefit of rehearsals with any of the actors you would be performing with. Any filmmaker asking for a release for audition footage is not operating under standard professional practices. Simply inform the individual in a pleasant manner that should you get the part you will then be required to sign and happy to do so at that time. You might also say, "Wow, I'm so flattered you think my audition is performance worthy. Thank you so much. Does that mean I have the part?" Or try, " Oh, I'm so sorry, I thought this was an audition. I didn't know this was the shoot date." They'll most like mention a call back or when the casting will be complete. Then you can respond with, "Let me know when I'm cast, and I'll sign the release for the character's footage then. Thank you so much. I'm flattered."

The same goes for social security numbers. Do not give anyone your social security number. The ONLY place you need to be putting this number is on payroll forms for the IRS. If you are not receiving pay, then you don't need to fill out W-4 and will not receive a W-2 at tax time. Also, do not give out your home address. Use your email address and phone number. Watch your belongings and tell someone where you are going.

This letter from a BACN subscriber -
Thought you might get a kick out of this. I had an audition scheduled for today at 2:00. They just sent out this email yesterday afternoon. Thank GOODness I checked my email right before trekking to Berkeley on the Bart, I called and canceled my slot. No way is someone going to make a Mockumentary out of my audition, and I wouldn't trust them w/ or w/o a signed release that it wouldn't be used. All of that aside, what I'm really sending this for, is the 'release' the actors are requested to sign - it's pretty different!
Enjoy. And thanks for keeping me busy.

NAME WITHHELD

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Release-

I, the undersigned, hereby irrevocably grant to (WHICHEVER) Productions, the right (but not the obligation), in perpetuity throughout the world, in all media, now or hereafter known, to use (in any manner it deems appropriate, and without limitation) in and in connection with the motion picture entitled, WHATEVER TITLE, by whatever means exhibited, advertised or exploited: my appearance in the motion picture, still photographs of me, recordings of my voice taken or made of me by it, and my actual or fictitious name. On my own behalf, and on behalf of my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, I hereby release You-Know-Who-You-Look-Like Productions, from any and all claims, liabilities and damages arising out of the rights granted hereunder, or the exercise thereof.
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I hope you can see the problem here. They know you don't have an agent to negotiate for you and they know the law. Once you sign, you've given away the right to your own image to whoever these jokers are...for ever!

REMINDERS:
--Do not ever sign a release at an audition.
--Never take your clothes off at an audition.
--Never do anything you're not completely comfortable with.
--Do not put your home address, or your social security number on your resume.
--Advance notice is required for nudity, and must be discussed before you agree to do a role.

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PROSPERITY BEGINS NOW. WHERE YOU GO WITH YOUR CAREER IS IN YOUR OWN HANDS.

AVOID WAITING FOR AUDITIONS BY GENERATING YOUR OWN PROJECTS. AUDITION FOR WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR CASTING OR CHARACTER TYPE.    

KNOW YOUR TYPE - YOU ARE A CHARACTER IN A STORY AND THE AUDIENCE MUST RECOGNIZE YOU.   GO TO CLASS.  READ.  EAT WELL.


ACTORS–DO NOT SIGN RELEASE FORMS AT AUDITIONS. THINK ABOUT IT!
Do not sign away your rights to a filmmaker to use audition footage.

TRY A FEW LOTTO TICKETS.

GOOD LUCK.