Production Insurance provides the insured student with
protection against third-party claims resulting from injuries
and damage to people or property, covering both legal costs
and payouts the insured would be responsible for if found
legally liable (responsible).
See DePaul University “Insurance
Claims – University Property and Liability.”
Students are
responsible for their own medical treatment and expenses
that arise during their course of study.
Note: Student residences and student-owned property and/
or equipment including personal items such as laptops, cell
phones, tools, etc. are the responsibility of the student.
Neither the filmmaker nor the student can file a claim under
the University’s insurance
INSURING LOCATIONS
The University requires a Location Use Agreement in order
to have insurance coverage for locations outside of DePaul
property.
Without this form, they are not covered by the policy
and the filmmaker may be held responsible for damages.
Contact the Production Office with at least 7 business days
notice for any locations or insurance requests.
Copies of the signed forms must be retained by the producer
of the film for at least two years after completion of the
project and through duration of the film’s distribution
EXCLUSIONS
Some items/situations NOT permitted that will be flagged
for permission to shoot include:
Alcohol (unless in sealed bottles/cans as props)
Any driving shots, under any circumstances, including
motorized and non-motorized vehicles, including (but
not limited to) automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles,
skateboards, boats, hoverboards, etc. (stationary cars are
allowed at filmmaker’s risk)
Intentional acts (someone intentionally doing something
harmful outside of the scripted scene)
Animals of any kind (see Safety tab, under Misc. Safety)
Fire (see Safety tab, under Weather Concerns)
Water and Watercraft, this includes filming in any large
body of water including lake, river and pool, either directly
in the water or via watercraft or drones. (see Safety tab, under Weather Concerns)
Equipment rented from fellow students. Should a
filmmaker rent any item from a student, the filmmaker
assumes the liability personally and cannot file an
insurance claim under the University’s insurance.
International shoots
Any student films featuring any of the prohibited acts listed
above may not be acceptable for class syllabus assignments
or allowed entry into the DePaul Premiere Film Festival and
may also face consequences such as losing access to SCA
facilities and equipment.
INSURING TALENT AND CREW
The University requires that talent or crew release forms
and contracts must always be signed prior to shooting
(whether shooting on or off campus), to ensure people
understand the risk they are assuming and give permission
for their name and image to be used.
SCA release forms
tie these people to the class project and therefore include
them under the banner of the university, which is helpful for
student protection. This includes talent participating in class
exercises where the footage is being recorded and may be
used outside of the classroom (including online classes).
It is extremely important that the filmmaker heed the
paperwork requirements and properly file with the
Production Office prior to shooting. Copies of the signed
forms must be retained by the producer of the film for at
least two years after completion of the project and through
duration of the film’s distribution.
Projects will not be approved for equipment pickup until all
paperwork is submitted.
CROWDED SCENES/EXTRAS
If having releases signed by
every person outside on a
DePaul campus property is
not possible as people may
walk through the background
unrelated to the shoot, signs
notifying people they may be
on camera due to filming must
be posted in visible locations.
Crews must honor the request
of any students, faculty or
staff members who decline to
be filmed/photographed while
on campus.
For more details related to
anything in your production
plans that may not be covered
by insurance, continue
reading the Safety section of
this handbook or contact the
Production Office.
