Start a Project
Find the Right Approval Path for Your Production
Use this page to determine what approval process applies to your production and what you need to do before filming.
Whether you are making a class project, thesis film, independent study, grant project, or club project, start here. Complete the required prerequisites, then determine whether your project follows the Anytime Project or Greenlighting Project approval path.
Important: You must complete the required training, submit the annual Student General Release Form, and be enrolled in an SCA program during the quarter in which your project takes place.
Step 1: Complete the Prerequisites
Complete these requirements before beginning a production or requesting SCA resources.
Complete the annual SCA Production Training in D2L.
Submit the annual Student General Release Form.
SCA Enrollment
Confirm that you are enrolled in an SCA program during the quarter in which your project takes place.
Project Information
Identify your project category, dates, locations, equipment, activities, and support needs.
If you are unsure whether you meet these requirements, contact the SCA Production Office before making reservations or beginning production.
Common Production Categories
Your production may fall into one of the following categories. A production category describes the type of work you are making. It is separate from the approval path described below.
Class Project
A production completed as part of an SCA course assignment. Requirements may vary by course and instructor.
A faculty-supervised production completed for academic credit outside a traditional production course. Review the Production Independent Study requirements.
MFA Thesis Film
A production completed as part of the SCA MFA program.
Grant Project
A production supported through an approved SCA grant program.
Club Project
A production sponsored by a recognized SCA student organization.
Step 2: Choose Your Approval Path
All SCA productions follow one of two approval paths.
Anytime Project
Most small student productions begin as an Anytime Project unless they require additional review, approvals, specialized equipment, locations, or production support.
Your project may qualify as an Anytime Project if it generally:
Takes place on student-owned property
Has five or fewer participants
Uses basic equipment that does not require advanced certification
Does not include stunts, intimacy, prop weapons, permits, or other special production requirements
Next Action: Start an Anytime Project in the Patron Portal.
Greenlighting Project
A Greenlighting Project requires review and approval from the SCA Production Office. This process helps coordinate project registration, paperwork, equipment, stages, locations, permits, insurance, safety planning, and other production resources.
Your project requires Greenlighting if it includes any of the following:
A Special Project Category
Independent Study, Grant Project, or Club Project
Advanced Equipment
Equipment requiring certification, including equipment from the Camera Vault or The Shack
Special Production Activities
Stunts, Intimacy Coordination, or Prop Weapons
Special Locations
Filming on DePaul property, filming on public property requiring permits, blocking sidewalks or public access, filming in alleys, or filming in Chicago parks with more than one handheld camera
A Location Not Owned by a Student
Any property requiring a location agreement, permit, insurance, or other approval
Additional Production Support
Outside equipment rentals, insurance requests, or Production Office coordination
Next Action: Start the Greenlighting Project Information Form (PIF).
What Is the PIF?
The Project Information Form (PIF) is the first step in the Greenlighting process.
You may be asked for information about your script, production dates, cast and crew, locations, equipment, vendors, safety concerns, and other production requirements.
After you submit the PIF, the Production Office may contact you through Smartsheet with additional questions, forms, documents, or approval requirements.
Not Sure Which Approval Path Applies?
If you are unsure whether your project qualifies as an Anytime Project or requires Greenlighting, contact the SCA Production Office before making reservations or beginning production.
The Production Office can help you determine the correct process.
What Happens After You Choose a Path?
If You Are Making an Anytime Project
Use the Patron Portal to begin the project and reservation process. Review equipment and facility requirements before requesting resources.
If You Are Making a Greenlighting Project
Submit the Project Information Form (PIF). The Production Office will review your project and may request additional information, paperwork, safety planning, permits, insurance, equipment details, or approvals through Smartsheet.
Be sure to monitor Smartsheet and respond to any requests for additional information.
Important: Reservations Do Not Replace Project Approval
Making an equipment, stage, room, or facility reservation does not automatically approve your production.
Complete all required project submissions, paperwork, certifications, safety reviews, permits, insurance requirements, and approvals before filming.
Do not assume that a reservation confirms that your project is approved to proceed.
What's Next?
Equipment, stages, or facilities
Smartsheet and project requests
Production policies and safety standards
Locations and permits
Forms and submission requirements
Production support
End-of-project responsibilities
Contact the Production Office
The SCA Production Office supports project development, filming on campus and in the Chicagoland area, permits, insurance requests, production paperwork, and the Greenlighting process.
If you have questions about your production, contact the office before making reservations or beginning production.
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