In short
- Each performer decides whether their set is filmed and whether it is released.
- Audience members can appear on camera, so the entry notice matters.
- Recording a set and releasing a clip are two separate approvals.
- Material from other writers, music or sketches may need its own permission.
Treat recording and releasing as two separate decisions. A performer may agree to be filmed for the organiser’s archive and still not want a clip posted online. Settle both, in writing, for each act, before the show.
Why do comedy and spoken word need extra care?
A comedian or poet speaks about real people and real events, and often to the audience itself. The words are the act, and a clip taken out of context can mean something different from the full set. That is why the performer’s wishes come first.
How do we record each act’s permissions?
Use a simple table for the line-up and fill it in before the show.
| Act | Recorded? | Released? | Which clips? | Who approves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host | Yes | Yes | Intro and links | Organiser |
| Performer A | Yes | Archive only | None | Performer A |
| Performer B | Yes | Yes | One clip, chosen by performer | Performer B |
| Open-mic slots | Ask on the night | No | None | Each performer |
This is an illustration; yours will match your line-up. For open-mic or guest slots, ask each person as they sign up.
What about audience interaction?
Many sets involve talking to the crowd. A close-up of a guest, or the sound of someone answering, can identify that person.
- Put a notice on tickets, at the entrance and in the announcements that filming is taking place.
- Tell the crew whether to avoid close shots of audience members.
- Decide how to deal with a guest who asks not to be filmed, such as seating them out of the camera’s view.
- Remember that the microphones also pick up people in the crowd.
Our permissions, privacy and responsible publication guides list the questions to ask, and our responsibilities checklist lists who is responsible for what.
Whose material is in the set?
Some sets include a song, another writer’s poem, a sketch or branded material. Performing it live is not the same as having it recorded and shared. Ask performers whether their material needs permission, and ask the organiser to confirm. If unsure, keep the recording private until it is settled.
How does a clip get approved?
- The performer agrees to recording, and to release if they wish.
- The crew records the complete set.
- The editor suggests clips, or the performer chooses them.
- The performer and organiser approve each clip, including the title and caption.
- The clip is released in the agreed format.
If you want short clips for social media, see event social video clips. Our private and public version planner helps you decide what each audience may see.
How is the sound recorded?
In comedy, a line that cannot be heard is lost. We confirm how each microphone and the room are recorded, and whether laughter is captured. Clear audio also makes captions easier.
If a performer changes their mind
A performer may want to withdraw after seeing the recording. Agree early how such a request is handled and until when it can be made, before any clip is shared.
What we confirm for your event
- How each performer is recorded, including guest and open-mic slots.
- How we handle a guest who asks not to be filmed.
- Who approves a clip before it is released.
- Whether the full recordings stay private.
Read performing arts event videography for how we plan coverage, and the guide to using event footage in performer portfolios if performers want to reuse clips. Our run-sheet filming planner helps you note each act and its permissions.
This is where we help: send us the line-up and your plan for clips, and we will suggest coverage and note each permission against it.
For a legal question about your event, ask a qualified adviser.
Tell us the line-up, whether the audience may appear on camera, and how the clips will be used. We can then plan the filming and confirm the crew and travel.
Ask about your event