Live Internet Television

Came across an interesting list of no-nos for reality TV camera people. Basically, it’s a list of things you should not include in your footage to avoid licensing costs and release troubles from people in crowd scenes. It also explained for me why logos on clothing are always blurred out (I wondered about this, since it seems to undermine the concept of”reality” to censor these things, which are so ubiquitous).

Every producer will tell you to avoid shooting logos, on t-shirts, ball caps, cars, equipment, in restaurants, on drive-by shots, you name it. No logos! Do you want to know why? Two words: Ad Sales. Even though you may not care about logos, and the manufacturers probably don’t, either, the ad sales department at the network WILL care. Their alliances with major brands will be in conflict with the appearance of logos, prominently in your footage. So, avoid the major, national brands most of all (no Starbucks coffee get-togethers with signage everywhere, McDonald’s excursions with the name and logo mentioned and visible at every turn, or Coke cans sprawled across the kitchen table). Instead, use mom and pop locations, local brands, and lots of greeking tape!

P.S. If you’re curious where to get this fabulous ivi TV T-shirt, head on over to Café Press.