School Nativity Performance Professional Filming

[Network_Boy]

Has anyone used an external company to film their school nativity performance? Our Head would like to record this year's performance with a view to letting parents purchase copies of it.

 

Ideally it would be an arrangement with no financial risk to the school if we didn't sell enough copies.

[SamanthaD]

I don't think a professional company would touch it for a primary. Just not enough volume of sales to make it financially viable for them, and in society today most people will record it themselves, either on their own prosumer DSLR or on their phones!

[Network_Boy]

That's what I was thinking. In terms of video we can do that alright, but the sound would probably be a bit naff.

[atcoates]

We generally do the filming and burning ourselves. For an outside company to be involved you'd need to sell the DVD etc for about £15 each. Any parents etc that could help? Edited October 2, 2017 by atcoates

[witch]

Do you have a university or college nearby that does video/recoring etc type courses? You might be able to get some students to come and do it for you.

[Network_Boy]

Do you have a university or college nearby that does video/recoring etc type courses? You might be able to get some students to come and do it for you.

 

That's a thought. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll put word around and see if any of the local institutions can help.

[MatthewL]

Presuming all kids can be filmed/photographed? If not surely this puts a stop to it. Might be worth checking the status of all kids first.

[Network_Boy]

Presuming all kids can be filmed/photographed? If not surely this puts a stop to it. Might be worth checking the status of all kids first.

 

All in hand thanks Matthew. We have a spreadsheet of all of our kids' video/image consent. Those not allowed to be filmed would have their parents attend one of the rehearsals that isn't being filmed, and wouldn't be part of the filmed performance.

[MatthewL]

No worries just didn't want time spent to overlook this and then cause an issue at last minute. Local college type place would be a good call I'd say.

[mikeprice]

We film ours ourselves (well - myself actually) and then flog the DVD to parents for £5

 

I find that it works best if we film the 'dress rehersal' - which is to the other kids - and then get it onto DVD ASAP before the 'evening performance' so I can sell it to the parenst just after the performance - i.e. while they are trapped and still thinking about it

If I offer to have it ready by the next day I generally get less than half the sales!

[elsiegee40]

Just watch out for the Data Protection issues surrounding circulation of any film made, especially as children who cannot be photographed are bound to be involved

[Network_Boy]

We film ours ourselves (well - myself actually) and then flog the DVD to parents for £5

 

I find that it works best if we film the 'dress rehersal' - which is to the other kids - and then get it onto DVD ASAP before the 'evening performance' so I can sell it to the parenst just after the performance - i.e. while they are trapped and still thinking about it

If I offer to have it ready by the next day I generally get less than half the sales!

 

Thanks Mike. That's a great idea actually. I'd just have to work out the logistics of making sure any kids who can't be filmed/photographed were'nt there for the filmed session. Do you mind if I PM you to ask a couple of questions about devices used etc?

[elsiegee40]

Thanks Mike. That's a great idea actually. I'd just have to work out the logistics of making sure any kids who can't be filmed/photographed were'nt there for the filmed session. Do you mind if I PM you to ask a couple of questions about devices used etc?

You will need the explicit permission of every parent before broadcasting or circulating the video.

[Network_Boy]

You will need the explicit permission of every parent before broadcasting or circulating the video.

 

Thanks Elsie. Filming and distribution is already part of their video/photo permissions form. Is there a reason over and above this why they would need to have explicit permission for each particular filming instance?

[elsiegee40]

Thanks Elsie. Filming and distribution is already part of their video/photo permissions form. Is there a reason over and above this why they would need to have explicit permission for each particular filming instance?

I suggest you take a look in the Data Protection forum. You shouldn't be operating on a cover-all form in any case and when GDPR comes into force in May you will definitely be breaking the law. @GrumbleDook can give you chapter and verse

[Network_Boy]

I suggest you take a look in the Data Protection forum. You shouldn't be operating on a cover-all form in any case and when GDPR comes into force in May you will definitely be breaking the law. @GrumbleDook can give you chapter and verse

 

Just checked our policy. It does state that explicit permission forms will be given out for events such as this, so I'll make sure that the Head does this before any filming takes place.

 

Assume that we would also be covered under the GDPR if only the kids whose parents had signed the explicit permission form were filmed?

[mikeprice]

Thanks Mike. That's a great idea actually. I'd just have to work out the logistics of making sure any kids who can't be filmed/photographed were'nt there for the filmed session. Do you mind if I PM you to ask a couple of questions about devices used etc?

 

extremly simple

I use 2 cameras due to space limits on my sd card - but I just have my DSLR and my superzoom set up on tripods and use the internal mic

 

I normally have one camera running for about 45% of the show and then start the second - then if the first one reaches the end of its card I can splice the 2 togehter

 

not excellent sound but the parents etc are not expecting Disney quality so there have been no complaints

 

I have thought of getting an external mic but have never had enough warning etc

 

 

before i did it the first time I filmed one of the rehearsals to check positioning, sound etc - which also acted as an advert as the kids told their parents I would be filming it as soon as they saw them!!

[atcoates]

Similar to mike, but we use one camera but have invested in a decent canon video camera, decent video tripod with fluid head (manfrotto) and a canon mic £200 to pick up the sound. We have a dvd burner £400 and do the whole lot in windows movie maker and windows dvd maker for that professional finish ;-) Parents aren't expecting that it comes on blu ray with Dolby atmos as it's mostly for Grand Parents and people that couldn't make the play.

[SamanthaD]

Re the consent issue - an interesting discussion on Blue Room about this recently. Parental permission (lack of) - Blue Room technical forum

[jmak]

You also need to consider copyright if it's a script you've bought or the performance contains any released songs - even if it's the kids rather than the original artist performing them.

[mikeprice]

As far as consent goes - we have had situations where a parent has refused to allow permission then blamed the school because other parents have put pictures included their child onto Facebook!

 

We have managed to stop the PTA doing that on their web page (over which we have no control) - but we can't stop the other parents

[witch]

As far as consent goes - we have had situations where a parent has refused to allow permission then blamed the school because other parents have put pictures included their child onto Facebook!

 

We have managed to stop the PTA doing that on their web page (over which we have no control) - but we can't stop the other parents

 

We do put a sign up asking parents not to share on Facebook etc in a pathetic attempt to cover ourselves...

[atcoates]

Yes we have the same where people just film productions, Sports Days on phone and put straight on facebook etc and this would often include pupils that the school are not allowed to photograph.

[fewd01]

If you're just worried about sound get one of these.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HQ3MIHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_yV00zbT4R0MYJ

 

They're incredible. They record the stage + audience simultaneously to SD or direct to camera. I use it for recording lessons, training, meetings and performances.

 

 

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