Free Tools: Tattoo Release Template
- Lauren Acord
- Jun 9
- 2 min read
We read our younger sister company's diary, and The Forge Film Acting is over there spilling tea about Tattoo Releases. Learn more below.
Why do I need a clearance?
It is not the canvas that owns the artwork; it is the artist. When someone gets a tattoo, the artist maintains the right to display that art in film, commercials, and television. If the "canvas" is making money on their look, the argument is that the artist should, too! When booking commercials specifically, the producers are making sure that they have permission to use every single image they capture.
If an artist were to see their design on TV in a commercial and weren't paid for their work, they could come after the client, ad agency, and production for money if they wanted to. Having the work cleared mitigates this risk for all parties.
What is the clearance for?
You'll need a new clearance for each tattoo artist you work with, or each new piece of art, depending on how you get tattooed. The clearance below is per artist, meaning you only need one release if you have multiple pieces from the same person. They'll fill out their information and agree to the terms or negotiate with you accordingly.
The Forge is an acting studio that made a free template, not a law firm. If you and an artist start negotiating, bring in a professional (eg. not an acting studio) to negotiate with you.
The Forge offers on-camera specific classes and services, and is the only place to chat with the Compass Casting team in a consultation. If you have questions about your tattoos, chat with Lauren or Sarah.
Timing
Like any industry, time is money, but in film this feels even more heightened. Every additional minute is accounted for - down to covering up tattoos with makeup if needed. Wardrobe is the fastest way to cover ink, but if wardrobe isn't an option, and there's not clearance for the tattoos to be seen, the makeup team has to cover them. If there's not a makeup team (looking at you, student films) it's the actor's responsiblity to cover them up.
Instead of adding hours to your day in a makeup chair, get your artwork cleared! While having tattoos doesn't often disqualify actors from eligibility in projects, knowing that folks have them and how much we're allowed to see them is helpful.
Get the Template
Click the button for our free template. We hope it helps you book more and feel more secure getting the ink you want moving forward.
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