I booked a small role in a feature film back in March called 267. It was a day player role in a non union, indie film that paid just enough for me to justify taking time off work to do it. Over the last 3 months, there wasn’t much communication until an email came through about two weeks ago that had an artist release form attached. The filmmaker asked everyone to sign and return the document. After reading it, I decided not to sign and replied to the filmmaker that I was uncomfortable signing a release that wasn’t project specific. Stating that the way the release was worded, that they could use my likeness in any project from here on out, whether I was in it or not. I assumed the filmmaker would edit the document to be project specific, but after two weeks, I got no response and then saw that I was removed from the cast on IMDb.
Posted below is the whole release.
I am always careful about what I sign, even if it means I don’t get to do projects. I think about how things can affect me and my career in the future and not just at the moment. And I’m lucky enough to have a sister who’s a lawyer who can, and has, looked at contracts for me.
