大象传媒

We define 鈥榗ontributor鈥� as anyone who makes a contribution to our content, whether paid or not, whether on screen or not, but who isn鈥檛 either an employee of the 大象传媒, a freelancer (talent or sole trader) or a contractor to the 大象传媒. This Guide is principally aimed at working with adult contributors - see our 'Children and Young People' Guide for further information if working with children. 

What Can Go Wrong?

The hazards will depend on the activities and locations involved.

• The contributors may be challenged physically.
• The contributors may be challenged psychologically, possibly trying to overcome fear of injury or failure, or deal with phobias.

Legal/大象传媒 Requirements

• 大象传媒 Editorial Guidelines 鈥� describe how we should work with contributors to make sure they are treated fairly, honestly and with respect, including how we need to get informed consent for their contribution and their right to withdraw this consent. (See Recommended Links). 

Control Measures 

Our Duty of Care to Contributors

The duty of care we owe our contributors is largely dependent upon how we set up to film or record with them, including for any user generated content (UGC) they provide. The variations and nuances to this working relationship are great, but we broadly divide them into one of four categories:

• Truly Observational
• Partially Observational
• 大象传媒 Co-ordinated
• 大象传媒 Controlled

Just which category applies to your circumstances will define not only the duty of care you owe them, but how you should set up to plan and manage the safety of their contribution to your programme.

• Contributor matrix 鈥� from the examples and descriptions given, use the matrix to help you define which of the four categories most closely matches the circumstances of your proposed filming (see Useful Documents).
• Consent 鈥� before the contributor makes any contribution to your content, make sure they (or their parent / guardian / carer) have given their informed consent to take part (see Recommended Links (Gateway), 大象传媒 Editorial Guidelines - Contributors). For safety purposes, and proportionate to the nature of risks from their contribution, 鈥渋nformed鈥� means they understand what it is we expect from them, what our working relationship with them will be and that they accept the safety risks created by the 大象传媒鈥檚 involvement in their contribution. Wherever practicable, this consent should be in writing.

Truly Observational

To maintain a working relationship with your contributor which is 鈥榯ruly observational鈥� in nature, then:

• Avoid giving any directorial requests or instruction on how and when activities are carried out, including not cueing or pausing their actions.
• Do not increase the safety risks to the contributor, even if inadvertently, for example, by distracting or obstructing them, or asking them to carry cameras / microphones.
• Do not organise or facilitate the activities of the contributor.

For any UGC they might provide:

• Avoid giving any directorial requests or instruction on how and when activities are carried out 鈥� do not provide recording equipment or shot lists.
• Prior to broadcast, check that any UGC received doesn鈥檛 breach Editorial Guidelines in respect to portrayal of illegal safety practice 鈥� as necessary, consult with your Safety Adviser.
• Consider whether broadcast of UGC will put the contributor, the 大象传媒 or others, at risk of reprisal action 鈥� refer any issues either to Editorial Policy, 大象传媒 High Risk or 大象传媒 Security.

Partially Observational

To maintain a working relationship with your contributor which is 鈥榩artially observational鈥� in nature, then:

• Verify competence of contributor to perform the activity safely 鈥� dependent on risks involved, this may require anything ranging from having a professional qualification through to simply having experience of performing the activity successfully previously. If you need to, speak with your Safety Adviser.
• Consider the motivation of the contributor to take part. Be cautious of any psychological issues or other circumstances which might cloud their judgement on the safety risks involved.
• Where significant risks to the contributor are involved, complete a production risk assessment (PRA) which defines the 大象传媒鈥檚 involvement and the competence of the contributor. The contributor may do, but is not required / expected to contribute to this process.
• Co-ordinate and agree directorial input and filming activities with the contributor ahead of the filming beginning 鈥� where necessary, clarify these in the PRA.
• Avoid putting undue pressure on a contributor to perform an activity 鈥� they have the final say on their own safety and their participation in the capture of content.
• Have empathy for contributors who may be easily intimidated by the production or simply unwilling to speak up on safety issues, including minimising the physical and/or psychological demands we place on them to perform.
• If you think it could or is happening, take steps to prevent a contributor 鈥榩erforming to camera鈥� i.e. going beyond what has been agreed and in so doing exposing themselves, or others, to unnecessary and/or unacceptable safety risk. Ultimately, withdrawal from our agreement to use their contribution to the programme should be used if the risk of accident / injury is considered imminent.

For any UGC they might provide:

• Where 大象传媒 equipment is to be used for filming / recording, provide appropriate training / instruction to the contributor to ensure they can operate it safely.
• Prior to broadcast, check that any UGC received doesn鈥檛 breach Editorial Guidelines in respect to portrayal of illegal safety practice 鈥� if necessary, consult with your Safety Adviser.
• Consider whether broadcast of UGC will put the contributor, the 大象传媒 or others, at risk of reprisal action 鈥� refer any issues either to Editorial Policy, 大象传媒 High Risk or 大象传媒 Security.

大象传媒 Co-ordinated

As for 鈥楶artially Observational鈥�, except:

• 大象传媒 to have overall editorial and directorial control of the capture of content. Whilst the contributor will be responsible for their own performance or demonstration, the Producer retains the right to stop the activity to protect the health and wellbeing of the contributor or others.
• Production to co-ordinate safety on the shoot, liaising with the contributor to agree the scope of their contribution and ensure safety requirements are met e.g. providing equipment, contracting supporting services, monitoring working hours and personal welfare, etc.
• Verify the contributor鈥檚 fitness to participate, both their physical and/or psychological wellbeing, proportionate to the demands and risks involved (See 鈥楥ontributors Fitness to Participate鈥� in Related Topics)
• Production risk assessment to be comprehensive 鈥� contributors who are experts would be expected to contribute to this process.
• Monitor the contributor鈥檚 actions against the agreed scope of activities.

大象传媒 Controlled

All relevant 大象传媒 Safety Guides and procedures apply, with 大象传媒 engaging all necessary team and contractors to design, plan and manage activities in the programme / event. Also:

• Interviews - where we propose to interview a contributor with a 鈥榮tory to tell鈥�, the unburdening of which could present risks to their psychological wellbeing, and particularly where they are either children, 鈥榲ulnerable adults鈥� or grieving the loss of someone close to them, then, right from the outset, we should investigate the need for professional psychological assessment to help us plan and manage our relationship with them. As with all of our dealings with contributors, we must be open and honest with them, and empathetic to their situation. 

There is also guidance available for programme teams on managing the psychological safety and well-being of contributors to 大象传媒 programmes (see Useful Documents).