A question for anybody who knows anything about reality television

[Mike_D202]

The casino I work for is interested in filming a pilot on a reality show about the security department. I was put in charge to find the legalities and customer confidentiality information on such a thing, but I can't find anything aside from contracts that prevent the "performers" to keep the lips sealed about episodes. I know there was a show called "Mall Cops" about the security at the Mall of America, I think they are worried about people being filmed and not wanting to be filmed. Any help?

 

[KevanG]

There's non-disclosure agreements for anyone who gets involved and as for what I've seen with other shows that have people filmed who aren't a part of it they usually just blur out the faces of everyone not directly involved.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

I grew up up around tv shows and commercials since my mom did craft service when I was young. In a case like doing something with a lot of traffic like a casino it's already assumed by the customer that they are being filmed for security purposes. You will need signs at every entrance informing them that a show is being filmed and you may need them by the specific places most of the action is going down as well. That should prevent you from having to blur everyone's faces except for people who specifically request it.

As far as you're main subjects during filming they're going to have to sign a release to appear on the show. The reason even jerks that act like fools still show up is because most reality shows will compensate anyone that is going to be a focus however if they don't want to be on the show and your company feels they should be that's when you would blur their face.

I'm sure there is probably a little more to it but that's the basics as I understand them. I would advise speaking with a lawyer that specializes in this kind of thing for further clarification

 

[cherokeesam]

I grew up up around tv shows and commercials since my mom did craft service when I was young. In a case like doing something with a lot of traffic like a casino it's already assumed by the customer that they are being filmed for security purposes. You will need signs at every entrance informing them that a show is being filmed and you may need them by the specific places most of the action is going down as well. That should prevent you from having to blur everyone's faces except for people who specifically request it.

As far as you're main subjects during filming they're going to have to sign a release to appear on the show. The reason even jerks that act like fools still show up is because most reality shows will compensate anyone that is going to be a focus however if they don't want to be on the show and your company feels they should be that's when you would blur their face.

I'm sure there is probably a little more to it but that's the basics as I understand them. I would advise speaking with a lawyer that specializes in this kind of thing for further clarification

Pretty much this.
Whenever they shoot TV commercials at my casino (and I've been in a few of them), we just post signs warning that filming is going on, and that everyone in the casino is implied to give their consent if they're in the shot, and that nobody (myself included, dammit) will be compensated.