BPS 400: How I Made $100K+ Selling Stock Footage with James Forsher

·1 hr 3 min·5 clips

James Forsher's mother was Elvis Presley's secretary, and his first film credit came before he even graduated college.

Host Alex Ferrari introduces the episode, sponsored by Bulletproof Script Coverage, and welcomes guest James Forsher, author of 'Stock Footage, Everything Under the Sun'. Forsher begins by sharing his background: his mother was Elvis Presley's secretary, and he got his first film credit in college with an interview of Conrad Hilton. He defines stock footage as any existing filmed material, from the earliest films to recent shots, clarifying that 'archival material' is a broader term that includes graphics, music, and photos. Forsher explains how to license clips from major studios, noting it often requires relationships or hiring a clip license expert. He recounts a story where a foreign production company harassed him for weeks over a clip he thought was cleared, highlighting international copyright issues. The discussion turns to public domain, with Forsher cautioning that it's often murky, especially for foreign films like early Hitchcock works, and that image rights (e.g., for Charlie Chaplin or Mickey Mouse) can persist even if a film is public domain. Fair use is explored, with Forsher warning that commercial success can undermine fair use claims, as seen with Michael Moore's films. He details the multiple clearances needed for a clip like from 'Star Wars', including payments to the studio, director, writer, and actors, and shares an anecdote where Jack Nicholson refused clip usage for a documentary. Forsher describes how he built a stock footage business by collecting public domain films and licensing clips, and advises filmmakers on selling their own rare footage through sites like Adobe Stock or footage.net. He recommends hiring experts for licensing to avoid legal pitfalls. The interview concludes with Forsher's career advice: assess your competition in film school, secure internships, work hard, and be prepared for constant rejection in the industry. He shares his favorite films, including 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', and notes his recent films are only available in Europe due to U.S. music licensing costs.

As heard by us

A practical guide to stock footage, archival rights, fair use, and the business behind screen images.

Selling stock footage opens into a useful look at the business and legal machinery behind archival images. James lays out how filmmakers might use stock material, where fair use can get murky, and why insurance can matter once a rights holder challenges a clip.

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Why you'd press play

You want to use archival footage without turning your film into a very expensive legal phone call.

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