To ensure that you are always compliant with EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), it’s important to acquire permission when filming and photographing people and places. Here are some top tips! If you're unsure about the law when conducting film or photography work, speak to your tutor.
Filming People
- Individuals may not wish for themselves or their belongings to be on camera, so please ensure that everyone who is clearly identifiable in your video or photographs has given you their written consent. if you're in doubt, always seek consent.
- Ensure that the area in which you are filming is clearly marked. Place some polite warning notices at the entry points, printed in English in a legible font.
- Don't include any images of people in situations which might be regarded as private without their specific consent, ideally in writing.
- Don't show any images of children without the consent of the child and/or a parent.
- Don't use images of an individual that could be defamatory and lower their reputation. Remember, what you consider to be harmless could be very damaging to a different person’s reputation.
Filming Buildings
- You may need to position yourself on private land in order to film certain buildings. This will require the consent of the landlord and/or owner of the land. Many areas might look like public spaces, but they're actually privately owned land.
- If you want to film inside a building, you will need the written permission of the building owners.
- Permission may be required to show any trademarks on film that are visible on the building.
- There may be copyright in any logos, designs or artworks visible on or inside the building, and you should obtain permission before including such items in your film or photography.
- Consider whether the content of your film risks any defamation. For example, if a film suggested that a famous football club was involved in a match-fixing scandal, and you used footage of Old Trafford within your film, this might be considered defamatory.
Statutory Obligations
- Read the Film London Code of Practice closely to ensure that you operate within the law.