In short
- Footage of a show is rarely owned by one person, so confirm who can approve reuse.
- Music, choreography, scripts and other performers may each need separate permission.
- Put the agreement in writing: which clips, which uses, for how long.
- A short edit made for the portfolio is a separate job from the show recording.
Before a performer reuses clips from a live show, confirm who owns the footage, who else appears in it and what the music and creative work allow. Then put the agreement in writing, with the clips, the uses and the time period named.
Why does reuse need agreement first?
A show recording involves many people: the organiser, the performers, the venue, the music owners and sometimes sponsors. A harmless-looking clip can include another performer’s face, a copyrighted song or a design owned by someone else. It is easier to agree reuse early than to remove a clip later.
What should be confirmed?
- Who commissioned the recording and what the agreement with the videographer says about use.
- The organiser’s terms: do they allow performers to take clips, and for what?
- Music: who owns the song, and does the show’s licence cover a portfolio?
- Creative work: choreography, scripts, costumes and set design may have separate owners.
- Other people on screen: other performers, crew, audience, and any minors.
- Platform rules: some platforms remove videos with unresolved music or rights issues.
Our filming and publication responsibilities checklist lists the questions to ask.
What should the agreement say?
Write down:
- Which clips, with start and end times or a file name.
- Which parts of the clip show other people.
- What the clips may be used for, such as a personal website, an audition application or social media.
- How long the permission lasts.
- Whether the organiser or school wants a credit or a mention.
- Who to contact if someone later asks for removal.
How is a portfolio clip made?
A show recording is rarely a good portfolio clip as it is. A portfolio clip needs a clear view of the performer, usable sound and a sensible length, so it usually needs an edit: trimming, reframing, a title, or removing music that cannot be reused.
If you already have the footage, we can look at what is possible. See our event video editing service for how we assess supplied footage. A clip filmed from far away may not suit a portfolio, whatever the edit.
For example, a dancer who wants a one-minute clip from a school showcase might need agreement from the school, the choreographer and the guardians of the other dancers on screen. If the music is a popular song, the clip may need a different soundtrack. Asking these questions first saves rework.
Which files does the performer need?
A short reel, a single full performance and a few social clips are different jobs. The Find out which event videos you need tool helps you shortlist, and our deliverables guide explains the options.
Can reuse be agreed before the next show?
Yes, and that is the easiest time. Ask performers and the organiser what they expect to do with the recording, and write it into the brief. Our guides to planning live concert videography and backstage filming show where it fits in the plan.
What we confirm for your event
- Who holds the footage, and under what terms, before we start editing.
- Whether a portfolio clip can be edited from the existing footage.
- Whether music can be removed or replaced if reuse is not allowed.
- How the finished files are named and delivered.
- What we need from you to begin: the footage, the list of clips and the written permissions.
This is where we help: send a description of the footage and who needs which clip, and we will tell you what looks usable and suggest an edit.
For a legal question about your event, ask a qualified adviser.
If you already hold the footage and know which performers want clips, we can look at what is usable and suggest an edit. Send us a description of the footage and who needs what.
Ask about your event