Filming FAQs

Student Filmmakers

1. Can UT students film on campus without academic/department approval?
   • No. Students must provide written verification from a UT faculty member/sponsor authorizing (or assigning) the filming project. The University will not provide any release. The faculty letter serves as authorization.
   • Students wishing to film for non-academic purposes must follow the non-news filming procedures.
   • Registered Student Organizations may film on campus without prior authorization if the footage will be archival (posted on UT-hosted websites and/or social media).
2. Can UT students film inside of UT buildings?
   • Yes, students can film for approved academic projects, but they must also have approval from the building manager and the department occupying the space. 

UT Departments

1. Do film production companies hired by a UT college, school or unit (CSU) need a filming permit?
   • Yes. A filming permit is required to ensure all vendors carry the necessary amount of liability insurance.
     • Vendors with a contract: The contract stands as permission to film on campus, with the insurance requirements already incorporated into the terms. The CSU should request the vendor’s certificate of insurance (COI) and keep it on file.  
     • Vendors with a purchase order: Please have the vendor fill out the request form and attach their COI. We will provide a no-fee permit upon completion. 
   • Vendors on the list of approved videographers already carry the required insurance and do not need to obtain a filming permit when hired by a UT department.
   • UT staff, faculty and student employees may film on campus for a CSU’s use with no permit. 
2. Can a production company hired by a CSU use a drone to film on campus?
   • Operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) on UT property requires special secondary approval from the UAV Review Group.
   • The request form is on the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles page of the Environmental Health & Safety website.
   • Drone filming requires additional liability insurance in order to film on UT property. 

General Information

1. Can I film the UT Main Building and/or UT Tower?
   • Yes, but only with written approval from the UT Office of Brands, Trademarks and Licensing.
   • Brand, Trademarks and Licensing must also approve use of trademarked images, logos, buildings or insignia for filming. 
2. Can I film at UT’s special use facilities? 
   • Yes, if the space is available during the dates and times you request.
     • University Marketing and Communications will provide contact information for facilities. Students and CSUs should contact the facilities directly to make reservations. External production crews should work with University Marketing and Communications or the sponsoring department to arrange a rental or reservation. Once the space is confirmed as available, the permit request process will move forward and we will provide a quote for the location fee and permit fee.
     • Special use facilities include (but are not limited to):
       • The Blanton Museum of Art
       • Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
       • UT Libraries
       • The McDonald Observatory
       • UT RecSports Facilities
       • Texas Union
3. How do I arrange parking for my crew during production? 
   • UT offers parking for visitors in garages across campus; please refer to Parking and Transportation Services’ visitor’s map for information on garage locations. If you need special accommodations, we can discuss your needs. Please indicate how many spaces you will need on your request.
   • Garage parking: $12 per day (subject to change) when requested in advance.
4. My film production crew is small, just 1-2 people. Do I still need to have liability insurance?
   • Yes. All video productions must hold the required liability insurance in order to film on UT property. 
   • Crews that do not park on campus may not need to provide the additional automobile liability insurance. 
5. Can government agencies film on campus?
   • Yes. However, they must follow the non-news filming procedures.
6. Can non-profit organizations film on campus?
   • No. Non-profit organizations may not film on campus.
7. Can commercial advertising for products or services be filmed on campus?
   • No. Filming for commercial advertisements is not allowed.
8. Do I need a permit to take non-commercial still photos on campus?
   • No. A permit is not required for personal photography. 
   • Still photography for commercial and/or advertising purposes is not allowed. 
9. Can I use my drone to film on campus?
   • Operation of UAVs or drones on UT property requires special secondary approval from the UAV Review Group. The request form is on the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles page, of the Environmental Health & Safety website. Drone filming requires liability insurance in order to film on UT property. 
10. If I am filming a documentary, do I need a permit?
    • Yes. Non-news documentaries must follow the non-news filming procedures. 
    • News documentaries approved by University Marketing and Communications will not require a permit. The University does not provide releases for news filming, including news documentaries.