Filming video for school project, need consent from people?

[Jgresch]

I'm having a tough time finding any canada specific info.

Basically we are doing a school video project, and some of the shots will include people walking down a hall at sfu. There are a lot of people in the background, and 2-3 in focus in the shots.

My question is, do I need to get signed consent from these few people who are able to be clearly seen in the shots? Or do I not need to worry because this is not for profit and a public space?

Thanks for any input and sources are very appreciated.

[ursher]

people in the background are fine. the only ones you need are the actors in your shot.

[Jgresch]

*not actors, we don't know them, just so happens they are close enough to be in focus. Does this still mean we need signed consent?

[ursher]

is sfu public property?

[Jgresch]

Considered private but it is open to the public... after changing some keywords on google I found this....

I do a lot of photography, and although this thread is about video, it is essentially the same thing and the same laws apply. This is a summary taken from photojojo.com. Its an american website, but in Canada it is also applicable

The Ten Legal Commandments of Photography

I. Anyone in a public place can take pictures of anything they want. Public places include parks, sidewalks, malls, etc. Malls? Yeah. Even though it�s technically private property, being open to the public makes it public space.

II. If you are on public property, you can take pictures of private property. If a building, for example, is visible from the sidewalk, it�s fair game.

III. If you are on private property and are asked not to take pictures, you are obligated to honor that request. This includes posted signs.

IV. Sensitive government buildings (military bases, nuclear facilities) can prohibit photography if it is deemed a threat to national security.

V. People can be photographed if they are in public (without their consent) unless they have secluded themselves and can expect a reasonable degree of privacy. Kids swimming in a fountain? Okay. Somebody entering their PIN at the ATM? Not okay.

VI. The following can almost always be photographed from public places, despite popular opinion:

* accident & fire scenes, criminal activities
* bridges & other infrastructure, transportation facilities (i.e. airports)
* industrial facilities, Superfund sites
* public utilities, residential & commercial buildings
* children, celebrities, law enforcement officers
* UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, Chuck Norris

VII. Although �security� is often given as the reason somebody doesn�t want you to take photos, it�s rarely valid. Taking a photo of a publicly visible subject does not constitute terrorism, nor does it infringe on a company�s trade secrets.

VIII. If you are challenged, you do not have to explain why you are taking pictures, nor to you have to disclose your identity (except in some cases when questioned by a law enforcement officer.)

IX. Private parties have very limited rights to detain you against your will, and can be subject to legal action if they harass you.

X. If someone tries to confiscate your camera and/or film, you don�t have to give it to them. If they take it by force or threaten you, they can be liable for things like theft and coercion. Even law enforcement officers need a court order.

[Jgresch]

And I think being on private property like sfu, if they ask you to stop filming you have to.

[points]

If I were you I'd stay on the safe side and do something else for those scenes. Probably without focus on anyone that you don't know. But it isn't a big deal since it's just a school video project.

[Jgresch]

Already shot the scenes lol thats why we are trying to figure out if we can use them

The prof put up the consent forms on the site because we need to get peopel in the video to sign them, but we aren't sure if its for people who talk.

I think I figured it out though, foudn a better link that said anybody who is identifiable needs to sign consent.

[ursher]

I did filming at bcit while I attended there and the instructor said it was fine. (inside classrooms, hallways, parking lot)