Why bother writing up your own release forms and other paperwork when you can get them right here? (As always, we’re not lawyers, so use these at your own risk. But really, everything should be fine.)

Personal Release (Generic)
This is a standard personal release form for an interviewee.

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Download as PDF (28k)

Personal Release (Columbia College Specific)
This is Columbia College Chicago’s standard personal release form, which differs slightly from the generic version available above.

Download as Microsoft Word Document (21k)
Download as PDF (29k)

Location Release
This is a standard location release form for property owners.

Download as Microsoft Word Document (30k)
Download as PDF (28k)

Archival Materials Release
This release is for archival still photographs, film or video footage. This particular version of an archival release is slightly modified from the same form that is used by the Discovery Channel.

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Download as PDF (52k)

Lead Sheet
When working on a complicated longer form documentary, subjects often interviewees you to other interviewees, and so on. It can be useful to have a few of these pre-printed Lead Sheets to take notes on in your producer’s book so you’ve got all your contacts and followups organized in the same place.

Download as Microsoft Word Document (18k)
Download as PDF (14k)

Quick Camera Guide: PD150/170
No, this isn’t a form, but it’s helpful. Originally developed by Doc Center veteran Chris Nelson, this one page guide serves as an excellent shooting refresher on Sony’s PD150 and 170 cameras.

Download as a PDF (132k)