ArchiveCut / How to get archival footage for a documentary
How to get archival footage for a documentary
Start with public archives such as Wikimedia Commons, the Internet Archive, NASA and the Library of Congress. Open each item’s page, read its licence, and record its creator and source as you go. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Where can I find free archival footage for a documentary?
Common starting points are Wikimedia Commons, the Internet Archive, NASA’s media library and the US Library of Congress. Each item has its own status, so read its page rather than assuming the whole site is free to use.
What does public domain mean for archive footage?
A public-domain work has no copyright to license, so you can generally reuse it. It depends on the country, and a restored copy or the music on a film can have its own rights, so check the item you’re using.
What do CC BY and CC BY-SA require?
Both Creative Commons licences let you reuse a work if you credit it. CC BY-SA also asks you to share what you make from it under the same licence, which can matter for a commercial film.
Do I need to credit public-domain pictures?
Often not legally, but it’s good practice, and some archives ask for it. Keeping a record of each source also helps if anyone questions your film.
What is archival footage in a documentary?
Film, video or photographs made at the time by someone else, such as newsreels, home movies or government films, and reused to show what happened. You didn’t shoot it, so you need to know its rights.
Is stock footage the same as archival footage?
No. Stock footage is usually recent, generic material sold or offered for reuse. Archival footage is a record of a particular time or event. Some archives also sell their material through stock libraries.
How much does archival footage cost?
It ranges from free to a fee per use. Public-domain sources can be free to download, while commercial libraries set fees by how and where the film will be shown, so ask for a quote for your use.
Does fair use cover archive clips in a documentary?
Sometimes, in the US. The Documentary Filmmakers’ Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use (2005) describes four situations, including using copyrighted material in a historical sequence. Fair use depends on the case, so take advice before you rely on it.
How does ArchiveCut handle picture licences?
It searches licensed archives such as Wikimedia Commons and NASA, and every export includes a credits file listing each picture’s creator, licence and source page. That is a record, not legal clearance.
Next: what each archive says about reuse, and how to write the credit.