“Man on the Street” videos can be highly engaging, but there are important legal factors to consider—especially if you plan to publish the footage online, use it in advertising, or promote your business.

1. Get a Signed Release Form
If you’re filming individuals and plan to use the footage publicly or commercially, you should always obtain a signed photo/video release. Even if someone verbally agrees to be on camera, they could later object to the use of their image or likeness. A signed release form provides legal protection and helps prevent disputes.

Tip: Use ChatGPT or another AI tool to help you create a release form.

2. Do Not Film Minors Without Parental Consent
Children under 18 cannot legally consent to being filmed for public or promotional use. If a child appears in your video, you must have written consent from their parent or legal guardian. This applies even if the footage seems casual or non-commercial.

Tip: Use ChatGPT or another AI tool to help you create a release form.

3. Respect Privacy Rights
While filming in public is generally legal in the U.S., you still need to avoid invading anyone’s privacy or filming in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., bathrooms, locker rooms, etc.).

You should also avoid misleading or deceptive editing that could portray someone unfairly, as this may open the door to defamation or emotional distress claims.

4. Don’t Film on Private Property Without Permission
If you’re filming on private property (such as inside a barn, a business, or even a farm that’s open to the public), you need the property owner’s permission. Ideally, you should also have a signed property release form, especially if the location will be visible or identifiable in your footage.

Tip: Use ChatGPT or another AI tool to help you create a release form.

5. Be Transparent About Your Intentions
If your video is tied to a business, event, or promotion, you should be clear about that when asking people to participate. Misrepresenting your purpose could damage trust or create legal issues—especially if your footage is later used in advertising.

6. Watch for Copyright and Trademark Issues
Avoid filming people wearing recognizable brand logos (especially if the brand is prominently displayed) and be aware of music playing in the background of your shots. Copyrighted music or brand imagery may trigger takedowns or monetization issues on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram.

7. Have a Takedown Process in Place
Even with a signed release, it’s good practice to allow participants to request removal of their footage. Providing a contact email or form for takedown requests is a simple way to show good faith and respect for your audience.

Need Help Creating Release Forms?
ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude.ai, and similar tools, can help you quickly generate:

• A photo/video release form for adults
• A minor release form for parent/guardian consent
• A property release form for private locations

Please have an attorney or other legal expert review your form to be sure it is compliant with local and national laws. 

Summary:
“Man on the street” videos are a fun and effective way to engage audiences, but they come with important legal responsibilities. Whether you’re filming for social content, advertising, or brand promotion, you’ll need signed release forms from participants—especially when featuring minors or shooting on private property.

These kinds of videos aren’t just fun—they’re also incredibly valuable. “Man on the street” interviews can help you create engaging, educational content for social media while giving you insight into how non-horse people view horses, riding, and the industry as a whole. It’s a powerful (and often hilarious) form of market research that can spark new ideas for outreach, education, and community building.

More Resources:
Here are some great videos about how to conduct successful street interviews: