New Question - Video liability

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brian Parks on January 13, 2011 at 10:19pm

Thanks James, I know they say DVDRs degrade over time. It can't be to difficult to store them properly so that problem is minimized. If it was a mountain of VHS tapes, that would be a hassle.

Permalink Reply by Don Rice on January 14, 2011 at 1:29pm

Brian, The decision is yours. If it feels more comfortable to buy the insurance (it's very low priced) then do it. Don't waste time and effort to a question only you can answer. The best place to get good information is from Tommy V or Jerry Valley.

They are very wise about those things. Once yoy talk to them do something OK  Don Rice  

Permalink Reply by Brian Parks on January 14, 2011 at 5:54pm

Hey Don, James, & Lurkers,

I am just interested in what the different attitudes are. My mind is quite often in vacuum mode. Right now It's pointed at my show and the ins and outs of the industry side of things. It's true enough that all the decisions are mine. That's one reason I've always been an entrepreneur I like making my own decisions. Having been an entrepreneur for so many years I know that it's easy to get isolated. Every indication is that Stage Hypnosis is like that too. Not too many chances to shoot the s++t with the others who do what I do. Once or twice a year at a class or convention maybe. This group is one way to fill the gap. 

 

My take on insurance and video archiving; Like Don says the insurance is cheap enough. Through S.A.M. it's something like $239/yr. so why not? 

The reason the insurance is so cheap is because there is almost no risk. Almost. The safety course. One way or another I've spent years of my life on stage or back stage or somewhere on the premises where there's a stage. I know it can be a dangerous place. The audience participants may not be aware of this and beside if all goes right they are somnambulistic and must be looked out for. If the particular insurance calls for it or not taking the safety course is the responsible thing to do. As for archiving the video; the risk of needing it is low. I don't know but it seems that it could help you avoid nuisance law suits. The chances that if needed having it would benefit you in a court case, . . . depends on the skill of your lawyer vs theirs. Who knows?

As I see it the real value is being able to work with a clear head and conscience. Also when working with any venue, if they require insurance or not, being up front that you have insurance and save the video and are trained in safety sets the level of respect you have for them and their clientele, staff, etc. Setting up respect with business contacts is always smart. Respect for the audience and especially the volunteers is a better way to have rapport and engage them than NLP techniques alone. 

I really like the thing about having the notice that 'you are being taped'. It has several positives. First the legal liabilities involved with videoing people. It sets up the idea for buying copies of the DVD, It helps set the mood in terms of staging/showmanship/theatrics. Also sets the mood in terms of cowing the audience and setting the level of respect as mentioned before. 

Big talk from a guy starting on a shoestring.

 

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Chase on January 24, 2011 at 2:55pm

You know 99% of the stories are myth. However you should always be insured. I don't know about the states but legally in the UK legally you need permission to video anyone even if that video is for personal use, certainly if it is for commercial use.

Permalink Reply by Brian Parks on February 7, 2011 at 2:06pm

Thanks for the reminder. I've been all side tracked promoting the first set of shows and those kinds of details. I Let it slip my mind. 

The same time you were typing your message I was handed a chunk of cash. Must be an omen. 

 

Jonathan that is interesting about the UK. Over here we hear about the 4 million CC cameras watching your every move. Yet you have to get permission each time yourselves. It's like that here for all audio recording but for only some video. 

James Szeles said:

Differently get insurance. Most colleges and fairs will not book you without it. I've done corporate shows where the events room manager has as me for insurance.

Permalink Reply by Brian Parks on February 8, 2011 at 11:58am

Update - Just got off the phone with Specialty Insurance, nice lady. She informed me that her provider likely will not carry Stage Hypnotists after April 25. They say most of the claims they get are from stage hypnotists. 

Sounds strange to me since they also cover sideshow performers. I just did a dbl bill with a sideshow guy. The stories he had were pretty frightening. He's a real pro but the things he does in his act, like fire eating, pretty dangerous. Something doesn't add up. 

So that leaves me Willis for $350 or S.A.M. for $239 (+$45 membership) Willis is much better coverage and I've already downloaded the safety course and have read most of it. It's good stuff. 

 

Anyway, as has been mentioned, you don't hear of volunteers getting hurt very often. From what I've studied and from when I did clinical, I can't see that even a case of hysteria would lead to much more than feeling bad for a short time.  

Could this be a case of the insurance company simply paying off nuisance cases instead of fighting them and their costs snowballing? Or maybe safeonstage.com really makes a difference.