Georgetown University’s campuses, including their grounds, buildings, classrooms, and dormitories, are private property. Except as permitted by and in compliance with this Policy, you may not shoot film, photos, or video, or make audio recordings (all of which, for convenience, are referred to in this Policy as “filming”) on campus.
The University’s Office of Strategic Communications (OCOMM), in consultation with other University stakeholders, is responsible for granting or denying requests to film on campus. The University reserves the right to deny approval of any filming for any reason. When filming is approved, OCOMM will coordinate the University’s support for the project, including required supervision. Approval by the University may be revoked at any time if the University concludes that the filming interferes with University operations, is disruptive to faculty, students, staff, or visitors, or otherwise is not in the best interests of the University. All persons who are permitted to film on campus pursuant to this Policy are required to follow current Georgetown Public Health and Guest policies.
Personal, Non-Commercial Use
Students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and other campus visitors are free to film on campus for their own personal, non-commercial use, provided that the filming poses no risk to public safety and does not disrupt University faculty, students, staff, or visitors. This photography and/or filming is limited to hand-held and tripod photography. Formal approval or supervision by OCOMM is not required.
Press and News Media
Members of the press and news media who wish to access campus to film interviews or b-roll should email OCOMM at media@georgetown.edu for permission. Please provide your name and outlet, and specify the nature of your request.
University Business
Administrative staff members of the University’s schools, departments, and business units who are engaged in official business on behalf of the University may film on campus for purposes of creating materials for use by the particular school, department, or business unit, such as marketing and promotional materials. Relevant model/image releases must be signed by all identifiable subjects.
Academic and Scholarly Work
University students and faculty may film on campus solely for academic purposes, including teaching, coursework, research, and scholarly work, in each case subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by the University to ensure public safety, to protect persons and property, to avoid interference with University activities and operations, and to comply with statutory, contractual, and other legal obligations. Additionally, students and faculty must notify their school’s communications office about any such filming and comply with any reasonable restrictions imposed by that office. Students and faculty may not film on campus for any commercial purpose.
All Other Filming
All other individuals, organizations, non-profits, corporations, and other entities that wish to request permission to film on campus must complete and submit the University’s Request for Permission to Film form (see below). As a prominent research University whose campus and buildings are devoted to instruction, research, and public service, the University ordinarily does not permit filming on campus for commercial or other for-profit purposes. Similarly, the University does not permit filming on campus of any commercials, advertisements, or other forms of endorsement. All filming on campus must comply with the reasonable directions and guidance of OCOMM, and must conform to the following requirements:
- You must complete and submit the University’s Request for Permission to Film (see below) at least two weeks prior to your proposed filming date.
- You must sign Georgetown University’s standard Location Agreement. The University will not sign any other location agreement. Requests for changes to the Location Agreement will be submitted for review by the Office of the General Counsel, which may significantly delay the process.
- You may not film inside classrooms, residential buildings, dining facilities, athletics facilities, or other indoor community spaces or places where public access is limited for reasons of safety, security, or privacy.
- You may not film a person in an identifiable manner unless you first have obtained that person’s express consent. If the person is a Georgetown student, you must use a written consent form that has been approved in advance by the Office of the General Counsel.
- You may not use the University’s names, logos, trademarks, or identity, including recognizable University locations, imagery, and prominent community members, unless such use has been specifically approved in writing by the University. Requests for any such approval should be submitted to the University’s Visual Identity staff by emailing visualidentity@georgetown.edu.
- If you are requesting that the University permit you to film on campus for commercial or other for-profit purposes, you must submit, in addition to the Request for Permission to Film form, a written description or synopsis of the production, the final script, and any treatments, storyboards, or other production-related materials, all of which must provide a detailed, accurate, and complete description of the production.
- Any requests for Athletics filming should be directed to Georgetown Athletic Communications.