Product Placement is a way in which companies buy advertising
space in a film for their client's products. It also is a way for a producer to fund
some film production costs. Obvious examples include: Reese's Pieces in Spielberg's "E.T. The Extraterrestrial"; Popeye's Chicken in Adam Sandler's "Little Nicky"; and the all time king of shameless product placement ...Michael Bay hawking General Motors products and several others in "Transformers".
The Misconception: Students often think that if they place a product very prominently in their film that it may entice product placement payments. Wrong. It could actually get you in legal trouble. A deal has to be struck with the advertiser prior to using it in your film. They protect the image and associations of their products very carefully. What if parts of the film are offensive to the client or the client's perception of their demographic of customers? You have to solicit them and cut a deal contractually. Also, film festivals may have strict rules about copyright.
The Misconception: Students often think that if they place a product very prominently in their film that it may entice product placement payments. Wrong. It could actually get you in legal trouble. A deal has to be struck with the advertiser prior to using it in your film. They protect the image and associations of their products very carefully. What if parts of the film are offensive to the client or the client's perception of their demographic of customers? You have to solicit them and cut a deal contractually. Also, film festivals may have strict rules about copyright.
I wrote this whole long comment about this topic and it's disappeared! WTH???
ReplyDeleteWeird. Try again
ReplyDeletei am assuming, lawyers are required for this? is there a standard agreement, etc.?
ReplyDeleteYes, lawyers are definitely important. You can find a variety of templates just online. Often the Company has their own conditions. That where the Sharks come in handy for negotiation and crossing the t's.
DeleteSorry, I just now saw this comment.