Production Policies & Safety Standards

Read This Before You Reserve Equipment or Begin Production

These policies apply to all SCA student productions. They are intended to protect cast, crew, locations, the public, equipment, and the production itself.

Before reserving equipment or using SCA facilities, every student must complete the annual SCA Production Training and submit the annual SCA Student General Release Form.

When in doubt, stop and ask before proceeding. If an activity, location, piece of equipment, or production plan could create a safety, liability, or insurance concern, contact the SCA Production Office before making a reservation or beginning work.

Need Help Deciding?

Question	Start Here
Is my activity allowed?	Restricted & Prohibited Activities
Does my project require Greenlighting?	Start a Project
How do I submit a project?	Submitting a Project
How do I report a safety concern?	Report a Concern / Safety Hotline
I need production support	Production Resources & Support
My project includes a stunt or fight sequence	Stunts & Fight Choreography Guidelines
My project includes an intimacy scene	Intimacy Guidelines
Can non-DePaul individuals serve on my crew?	Crew Eligibility Requirements

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Safety Standards & Responsibilities

Review the sections below for student responsibilities, on-set safety expectations, restricted activities, equipment use, weather planning, reporting procedures, and risk-management requirements.

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Your Responsibilities

Every student, crew member, and production leader is responsible for following SCA policies, safety requirements, and university regulations. The lead filmmaker is ultimately responsible for making sure the production is planned and conducted safely.

You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate information in project submissions, reservations, permits, insurance requests, location agreements, and safety documents.

• Completing required training, forms, certifications, and approvals before production begins.

• Communicating safety information to cast and crew.

• Reporting injuries, accidents, property damage, lost equipment, unsafe conditions, and policy concerns as soon as possible.

• Protecting SCA equipment and facilities from loss, theft, damage, and misuse.

• Pausing an activity when conditions become unsafe or when required information or approval is missing.

Restricted Activities & Safety Review

Some activities are not permitted on SCA student productions. Others may be permitted only after advance review, written approval, safety planning, and any required documentation.

Prohibited Activities

The following activities are not permitted on SCA student productions:

• Alcohol consumption during production activities

• Drugs, including marijuana products, during production activities

• Animals used as principal performers

• Open flames and pyrotechnics

• Firearms

• Moving vehicles

• Filming in large bodies of water

Activities Requiring Advance Review

The following activities may be permitted only after advance review and approval.

Do not begin these activities until the Production Office confirms that the required planning, documentation, and approvals are complete.

• Stationary vehicles with proof of insurance

• Beach or shoreline filming with appropriate safety precautions

• Stunts or action that may create a risk of injury

• Intimacy or intimate action

• Prop weapons or firearms where specifically permitted by current SCA policy

• Fire, smoke, atmospheric effects, animals, water, vehicles, or other special activities identified during project review

• Any activity requiring a specialized coordinator, trained professional, permit, insurance certificate, or additional safety plan

Greenlighting & Safety Review

If your production includes restricted activities, advanced equipment, DePaul or Cinespace facilities, permits, insurance, outside rentals, or other special support, it may require the Greenlighting process.

Start with Start a Project to determine the correct approval path.

A reservation is not project approval. Reserving equipment, a stage, a room, or a facility does not authorize you to begin filming.

Complete all required project approvals, safety reviews, certifications, permits, insurance requirements, and paperwork first.

Safety Roles on Set

First Assistant Director (1st AD)

The 1st AD is the primary safety officer on set.

The 1st AD is responsible for:

• Holding a safety meeting at the beginning of each shoot day

• Reviewing emergency procedures, exits, nearby emergency services, first-aid resources, and location-specific hazards

• Communicating schedule, location, weather, and safety updates throughout the day

• Confirming that cast and crew understand relevant risks and precautions

• Completing one Daily Production Report for each shoot day

• Documenting incidents, injuries, property damage, and safety concerns

For smaller productions, the Producer may perform these duties. Regardless of crew size, the lead filmmaker remains responsible for production safety.

Standard Set Safety

Workday Length

Fatigue increases the risk of accidents.

• Maximum workday: 12 hours from call to wrap

• Preparation and wrap time count toward total work hours

• Schedule adequate time for travel, meals, breaks, and rest

• Do not extend the workday in a way that creates unsafe conditions

Meals, Breaks & Water

• Provide a meal no later than six hours after crew call

• Provide sufficient food for the size of the production

• Make drinking water available throughout production

• Provide a designated meal and break area when possible

• Consider dietary restrictions and food allergies

• Schedule adequate breaks during long or physically demanding shoots

Holding Areas

Cast and crew who are not actively working should have access to a safe and reasonably comfortable holding area with:

• Weather protection

• Shade or shelter when appropriate

• Access to restrooms

• Reasonable proximity to the set

Weather & Environmental Safety

Plan a Cover Set

Exterior productions should identify an alternate location or backup plan in advance.

Monitor Conditions

The Producer and Location Manager should:

• Begin monitoring weather at least one week before production

• Reevaluate conditions during the production period

• Communicate weather changes to cast and crew

Severe Weather

Create an action plan for:

• Lightning

• Severe thunderstorms

• High winds

• Flash flooding

• Extreme heat

• Extreme cold

Review the plan during the daily safety meeting and pause production when conditions become unsafe.

Equipment Safety

Electricity, lighting, grip, camera, sound, and other production equipment can cause serious injury or damage when used improperly.

• Do not attempt equipment repairs or modifications

• Inspect plugs, cables, and equipment before use

• Do not use damaged equipment

• Report damage immediately

• Use extra caution around water and wet conditions

• Use GFCI protection when required

• Keep cables clear of walkways and public areas

• Secure equipment during transport and storage

• Do not leave equipment unattended in vehicles or unlocked spaces

• Make sure operators are trained on the equipment they are using

• Use a spotter for Steadicam, moving shots, or other operations requiring additional awareness

Risk Management & Working with Minors

General Risk Management

Before production, scout and assess each location.

Consider:

• Traffic, public access, uneven surfaces, and environmental hazards

• Emergency exits and first-aid resources

• Safe placement of equipment, cables, lights, and set pieces

• Weather and changing location conditions

• Potential impacts on cast, crew, minors, the public, animals, or property

Include relevant safety information and emergency contacts on the Call Sheet when appropriate.

Never ask cast or crew to perform an unsafe task.

Working with Minors

A legal guardian must be present and informed of filming activities involving minors.

Confirm any additional university, legal, location, or production requirements before filming.

Reporting Injuries, Incidents & Concerns

Emergency

For immediate danger, serious injury, illness, fire, or another urgent threat:

1. Call 911

2. Contact DePaul Public Safety

   • Lincoln Park: [phone]

   • Loop: [phone]

3. Notify the Producer, 1st AD, faculty member, or SCA staff member

4. Notify the SCA Production Office

5. Complete required incident reports

Urgent Production Concern

If a condition is unsafe but not an emergency:

• Pause the activity

• Notify the 1st AD, Producer, or production leader

• Contact the Production Office if the issue is not resolved

For concerns involving unsafe behavior, ignored safety protocols, harassment, discrimination, or other inappropriate conduct, use the SCA Safety Hotline.

The Safety Hotline is not an emergency service. For immediate danger, call 911 first.

Crew Eligibility Requirements

Can non-DePaul individuals serve on my crew?

Non-DePaul individuals may participate on student productions in certain crew positions. However, key crew positions must be filled by currently enrolled DePaul School of Cinematic Arts students.

Key crew positions include:

• Director

• At least one Producer

• First Assistant Camera (1st AC)

• Director of Photography (DP)

• Key Grip

• Gaffer

• Sound Mixer

The only exception to this policy is MFA Thesis projects. MFA Thesis students should contact the Production Office regarding any proposed exceptions to these requirements.

Non-DePaul and non-SCA crew members are not eligible to check out SCA equipment.

If you have questions about crew eligibility, equipment access, or your specific production circumstances, please contact the SCA Production Office before finalizing your crew. This helps ensure your production meets all SCA requirements and policies.

Equipment Responsibility & Negligence

Students are responsible for equipment checked out under their name.

Examples of negligence include:

• Leaving equipment unattended

• Failing to secure equipment in a vehicle

• Leaving equipment in an unlocked space overnight

• Failing to report lost, stolen, or damaged equipment

• Misusing SCA equipment, stages, facilities, or university property

• Failing to follow required safety or checkout procedures

Failure to follow SCA policies may result in:

• Removal from a production

• Loss of equipment privileges

• Loss of facility access

• Production delays or cancellation

• Financial penalties

• Additional disciplinary action

Losses resulting from negligence may not be covered by university insurance.

Production Honesty & Academic Integrity

Provide accurate and complete information in:

• Project submissions

• Equipment reservations

• Insurance requests

• Permit applications

• Location agreements

• Production paperwork

• Safety documentation

• Smartsheet requests and updates

False or misleading information may result in sanctions under DePaul University's Academic Integrity Policy.

If your script, dates, locations, cast, crew, equipment, vendors, or activities change after submission, update your information and notify the Production Office.

Before You Begin: Final Safety Checklist

☐ Complete annual SCA Production Training

☐ Submit the annual SCA Student General Release Form

☐ Confirm the correct project approval path

☐ Submit the PIF if Greenlighting is required

☐ Identify hazards and safety precautions

☐ Identify emergency contacts and nearest hospital

☐ Review weather conditions and establish a cover set

☐ Confirm equipment certifications and reservations

☐ Identify any special activities requiring review

☐ Obtain required permits, insurance, and approvals

☐ Plan meals, breaks, water, and holding areas

☐ Conduct a safety meeting with cast and crew

☐ Confirm how incidents and concerns will be reported

Questions?

If you are unsure whether an activity is permitted, requires Greenlighting, or needs additional safety planning, contact the SCA Production Office before proceeding.

SCA Production Office Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Loop: Daley LL103 Cinespace: 2514 W. 16th St., Office 204