noxistenz said:
What is the name of your state? Massachusetts
I am wondering what the specific laws are regarding showing brand names in film? I'm shooting a student film in a convenience store which is of course riddled with big time brand names. Is it illegal to show these products at all? Huge thanks in advance for any advice one could offer!
Is your film going to be Commerically Distributed or otherwise Exploited? Are the products prominently featured. ie: Actor holding a can of soda pop in such a way as to make the label or logo prominently visible?
If the answers are no, I wouldn't worry about it too very much. Could any one of the product distributors come after you? Yes, they could. Will they? Very doubtful. You're a student film maker making a "student film". You're small potatos in the entertainment industry and if it isn't going into commerical distribution, which student films generally don't do, most won't care. Besides you're a student, therefore no money to go after. Do get location releases from the business where you shoot or their corporate legal dept., Do include grateful acknowledement to them in the credits. I'd also use telephoto lenses to further blur the background making the labels & displays less descript.
Another thing I've done in the past is ask local distributors of products for production funds or free product if I make their product highly visible and prominent in the production, including listing in the credits. Hey, free pizzas, nachos, chips, dip and 10 cases of soda and free coffee help feed the crew. Free craft service & Happy crew saves budget money and gets you experience at obtaining sponsorship and funding of your productions.
