Filming on Campus

Overview

The University of Central Florida is a government entity, and as such, filming cannot indicate endorsement or recommendation of any private products, services, or entities. Its campuses are made available to all students as a resource to further their education but there are guidelines when it comes to media productions and the impact made to normal business operations and educational programs.

Student News Media

All members of the media are encouraged to contact UCF Office of Communications prior to filming and photographing on campus.

Most exterior and some interior areas are accessible to student reporters, photographers, and videographers. Discretion should be used in and around bathrooms, locker room, or other spaces where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Student Media Assignments

Media assignments that seek to film on UCF campuses may do so if they fall within the following criteria:

• Crew of 5 or less students.
• Must limit the use of each location for 90 minutes or less.
• Limited to a single camera that is handheld, shoulder rig, gimbal, or on a tripod.
• Sound mixers are permitted, must dress cables in all high traffic areas to mitigate tripping hazards.
• Basic lighting kits are permitted, must be two or less fixtures, with cables dressed in all high traffic areas to mitigate tripping hazards or are battery operated.
• No cranes, jibs, or dollies that take up significant floor space are permitted.
• No drones or ariel cameras are permitted.
• General areas only – no labs or other dedicated instructional spaces without permission.
• Do not impede hallways, stairs, elevators, and other areas of egress.
• No offices or other places of business without permission.
• No bathrooms or other areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
• No children or pets can be involved with the media assignment.
• No scenes involving nudity or obscenities.
• No disruptive yelling or screaming.
• The depiction of coreographed fighting, criminal activity, weapons, physical altercations, violence, the threat of violence, or the aftermath of violence is prohibited.
• No stunts or other high-risk activities.
• No prop or simulated weapons are permitted.
• All actual weapons are prohibited by law.
• No special effects (e.g., simulated explosions, blood, smoke, etc.) are permitted.
• No open flames, fireworks or other flammable materials.

All official UCF business such as classes, program, departmental and administrative functions, SGA sanctioned club meetings, Facility Operations, and housekeeping activities take priority over your assignment.

Any university employee is an authorized representative of UCF and can make reasonable requests for you to stop filming if your activities are disruptive to regular business, classes, or a scheduled event.

Student Productions

All Campus Locations

Projects authorized for production, who are seeking to film on university property, or within campus buildings, the UCF Office of Strategic Communications and Media Relations is the gateway. All sanctioned productions authorized by the UCF-NSCM Film and Mass Media Program are required to notify and cooperate with this office and its staff to obtain approval for using locations on UCF campuses. Please do not email locations directly until you have been vetted by this office.

Students shall CC their instructor-of-record and the Coordinator of Film Production Services when emailing a request to the Director of Media Relations. These requests should be made weeks in advance to allow plenty of time for review and approvals.

Please visit UCF’s For the Media webpage for the most up-to-date details and contact information.

Nicholson School of Communication and Media Building

Sanctioned student productions taking place within the Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) building fall under the supervision of the program’s production services staff and are not required to contact the Office of Media Relations for approval to shoot in the NSCM building.

Students must fill out a NSCM Building Location Request Form to gain approval.