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Forms and Copyright

Youth participants are honor-bound to acquire all necessary permissions and signatures, including parent/guardian signatures if they are under the age of 18, and accept the liabilities for copyright violations. If Directing Change staff ask for release forms and they cannot be provided, the film may be disqualified.

Release Forms

Everyone involved in the creation of the film or art needs to fill out and keep on file a signed copy of the release form (and if you are under the age of 18, the release form needs to be signed by a parent or legal guardian). Signed release and applicable copyright forms should be kept on file by the adult advisor. Youth are responsible for obtaining the necessary written permissions on all copyrighted work.

To be clear, a signed release form will be required for every person that worked on the (crew) and acted in the film (cast) or whose voice can be heard in the film (cast).

  1. Complete release forms for every person who participates in the creation of the film
    1. Print out forms here
    2. Have each person read and sign the form
      1. If the person participating is under the age of 18, their parent or guardian must also read and sign the form
    3. Collect all forms and either scan or take photos of them
    4. Give all forms to your advisor for safekeeping

Release Form: Everyone on your crew and cast needs to fill out and provide the adult advisor listed on your entry form with a signed copy of the release form. If you are under the age of 18, the release form needs to be signed by a parent or legal guardian. This includes any actors or people in your film or art whose voice or image appears in the film.

Any elements in your film or art, including but without limitation to music, audio, stills, video, supers, or other audiovisual materials used must be:

  • entirely original, created and performed by the entrant and/or participants; or
  • be in the public domain as creative work not protected by trademark or copyright which can be used freely by anyone; or
  • purchased or released trademarked or released copyrighted elements, such as music, photographs or logos.

To submit proof of release and permission to use copyrighted materials, please include a signed letter or email from the rights holder that clearly indicates the title of the film or art, the name of the contest, the student name or advisor name and indicates that there is no restriction to how the film containing the music/pictures/film is used.

Entries that include copyrighted materials or music without the proper permission and signed release forms will be disqualified.

Pictures and Film Clips: You may use public domain images and film clips in your film or art if you cite your sources in the credits. You will need written permission from the copyright holder to use all copyrighted materials. Please note: Images found in Google searches or elsewhere on the Internet are also protected by copyright laws, even if it doesn’t show a copyright symbol.

Music: Original music or music that is in the public domain (royalty free) may be used in your film or art if the source is cited in the credits. This means you can’t just download your favorite song on iTunes or from a CD. You will need written permission from the copyright holder to use all copyrighted materials.

Logos: While it may not be possible to keep all brands out of view, there are easy ways to avoid them from being a focal point in your film or art. For example, dress your actors in clothing without recognizable brands, cover up laptop brands with a sticker or sticky note, or frame your shots so that recognizable stores are not highlighted. While using a brand will not disqualify your film, it may limit the use of your film in television or movie theaters, due to brand copyright laws. We recommend avoiding the hassle and making smart, brand-free choices during the creation of your film so it will not affect its accessibility at a later time!

Useful links on this topic:

  • Copyright and Public Domain
    A reference site to help identify public domain songs and public domain music, royalty free music you can use anywhere and any way you choose, performance, sing-along, film, video, advertising, business, or personal.

Music tips

Your best bet for the perfect music for your film or art is to record your own creation or find a local band that will record an original song for you and grant you permission to use the song. Check out programs such as GarageBand, SmartSound SonicFire Pro, or another music composing software program. Other options include using royalty-free music, legally obtained from a royalty-free music website, or royalty-free CD collection.

If you’re trying to obtain permission to use copyrighted music at the last minute, don’t assume that you will receive it in time for the deadline. This is a long process and you may not get the permission you need, which means you won’t be able to submit your film using the music. If this is the way you want to go, here are some tips to get you started. We recommend creating an alternate version of your film just in case the permission doesn’t come through.

  1. Identify the song title and the performer(s) who recorded the song.
  2. Using that information, find the Recording Company (Label) that holds the rights to the recording.
    • ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
    • BMI is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music. Click on Search to find your song, by artist or title.
    • EMG Evan M. Greenspan is a company that can obtain permission for you to use music in your video (for a fee!) OR they will tell you how to do it yourself:
  3. Request written permission via email or “snail” mail.