Student Filming

Guidelines and Resources

Current Moody College of Communication students and registered student organizations may film on campus with restrictions.

Students in other colleges and schools who wish to film on campus should review the guidelines for non-news filming and then complete an on-campus filming request form. Insurance requirements do apply for non-academic-related projects. Students cannot film on campus without academic or departmental approval.

A permit is not required for personal photography.

Moody College students are permitted to film on campus for a class project assigned by a faculty member for a grade. Students must submit a request form; once submitted, University Marketing and Communications (UMAC) will reach out to the professor listed in the request to confirm that the filming is for their class. The University will accommodate filming for approved class projects whenever possible.

Filming must not be disruptive, violate University rules, inconvenience members of the University community or create a safety hazard. Students must secure a Talent Release Form (PDF) from anyone being featured on camera.

Students can film inside of campus buildings for approved academic projects, but they must have approval from the building manager and the department occupying the space. If questions or issues arise, students are encouraged to seek the assistance of the faculty member(s) who assigned the project.

• Residence halls: University Housing and Dining will make reasonable efforts to assist students with their film project by making residence hall space available. 
• Tower or Main Building: Filming requests for the Main Building require a special approval process that begins with Student Activities in the Office of the Dean of Students. Please contact Student Activities at 512-471-3065 for more information.
• Special use facilities: To film in special use facilities such as the Texas Union, the Texas Performing Arts Center, the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, etc., students must contact the office responsible for each of those facilities.
• Outdoor areas: Outdoor space requests must be submitted to Student Activities. Space requests may be denied for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to privacy concerns, incomplete information from requestor(s), lack of staffing to supervise the project, safety concerns, logistical challenges, restricted access areas or other issues. 

If the film production requires University services, students are responsible for paying any fees associated with those services. Examples of services that could be required for a film project include but are not limited to overtime pay for a University staff member providing access for an after-hours project or any facilities services.

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) wanting to film their events are permitted to do so as long as the footage will be posted only to their RSO’s website or social media. The footage may not be used for any other purpose.

An RSO wanting to film on University property must coordinate with the college, school or unit that controls the space. Outdoor space requests must be submitted to Student Activities. Space requests may be denied for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to privacy concerns, incomplete information from requestor(s), lack of staffing to supervise the project, safety concerns, logistical challenges, restricted access areas or other issues.