Understanding Stock Footage
Understanding Stock Footage (why me?)
- WHAT IS STOCK FOOTAGE - WHY DO I NEED IT ANYWAY?
Pre-existing material which can be re-used in a third party program or production either as "wallpaper" or as the central subject.
Limitless universe
Often crucial
Used every day in every way
Not necessarily cheaper
File Footage
News Footage
Last night’s news
Rock and pop programming
Music videos
Last night’s documentary
Dinosaur Footage
CGI
Beauty shots
Commercials
Program sources
9/11
WHO USES STOCK FOOTAGE?
Everyone!
Television based output
News services
Documentary makers
Educational program makers
Movies (particularly ifor historic and contemporary subjects)
Commercials/advertising
Downloadable services for personal devices/services
Ring tones
Short musical clips
Short clips of all kinds
WHERE DO I FIND STOCK FOOTAGE?
Websites – individual markets, not a single place – every site is different offering separate and different services and commodities
– News sites or replay of television based sources + consumer images
– Print media website
– Social networking sites = consumer base not Business to business service
– Advertisers and sponsors
MEET SOME COMMERCIAL CONTENT OWNERS
l ABC News Video Source
l BBC Worldwide/CBS News
l APTN (Associated Press)
l CNN
l HBO Archives
l WGBH
l
l NBC News
l National Geographic
l WPA/MPI
l Channel 13/WNET
l Global ImageWorks
l Thought Equity
l Discovery Studio
l Getty Images
l INA (French Public Archives)
l ITN News Source
l Framepool
l PhotoLibrary
l Huntley Archives
l ArtBeats
THE STOCK FOOTAGE INDUSTRY IS:
Divided into two camps
– On line stock image houses e.g. Getty Images or Corbis
l E-commerce
l Royalty Free or Rights Managed
l Easy one click licensing
l No clearances or model licenses common
l Fast release of digital files
– Archive and Stock Footage – mainly news and Production companies e.g. CNN, BBC, NBC, National Geographic
l Often have two separate business models
l E Commerce rare or split between businesses
l Research and clearances most common
l Technical delivery and increasing demand for HD
l No standard license agreements and often inability to grant all rights
Content Owners are changing their business models and focusing on market sectors
|
Stock House |
News |
Program/Deep content |
|
Getty Images Corbis ArtBeats Thought Equity FramePool PhotoLibrary (OSF) |
ABC News CNN NBC AP ITN Source |
WGBH WPA Global ImageWorks INA Huntley Archives |
|
HBO Archives Discovery Studio Global ImageWorks |
|
HBO Archives Discovery Studio Global ImageWorks |
|
BBC |
BBC/CBS |
BBC |
|
National Geographic |
|
National Geographic |
How To Find Stock Footage
Business to Business
l The internet is a great source of information but It is not the best or only source of actual footage
l Internet research will lead you to great resources but try:
– www.acsil.org
– Any major broadcaster’s website
– www.focalint.org
l 80% of the best footage and resources are not available on the Internet
l Most companies have websites – use them
l Personal contact is always best for complex or deep research needs in stock footage
l NEVER use clips from a Home Video!
l Always use a professional for a long or in depth project
Public Domain is fair use and other sources
l The internet is also a great source of free advice, both bad and good about archives and footage.
l There is significant content available which can only be downloaded
l Words to the wise
– Free does not mean footage is easy to obtain for professional purposes
– The cost of accessing high end technical material can be costly on the budget and time consuming if even possible
– ALWAYS CHECK all the elements including the copyright claims before committing to using it in your production
l Social networking sites – avoid unless there is no choice
l Other non professionally produced sources
– Personal cameras and phones – good or exclusive material is often sourced by News agencies or represented by commercial sites
– Talented amateurs aren’t common in stock footage unlike stock photography
KEY FACTORS TO KNOW ABOUT USING STOCK FOOTAGE
l Everything will take time so plan, prepare and know your budget before you start
l Finding the right images
l Looking for a unique shot or source or unique events
l Option or must have will determine where you research
l Time taken to research
l Where to research
l Cost
l Research time
l License Fees – per clip, per second, per minute
l Technical costs – what is your final delivery format?
l Rights and Clearances
– Unlikely to be able to judge before you have talked to the content owner
l License
l Fees vary greatly depending on:
l Rights required
l Amount of footage
l Exclusivity
- WHATâ€S INVOLVED
Production schedule – start with stock - don’t leave it to the end and if there are rights and clearances, music in particular, you may have to wait months for clearances. Start here - The Rights required - the license agreement is about the licensing fees and the grants of the rights. Don’t assume the deal can be made.
- The Technical deliverables and screening your previews – often only digital format is available so check the original e.g. HD film or digital source?
- Budget – will never be enough
- What is expected of you as researcher? Your deliverables?
READ THE REST OF THIS PRESENTATION ON STOCK FOOTAGE 101