Filming - Directing Thesis

Please note that many rights agreements for published plays explicitly forbid filming by default, and so permission to record, even for archival purposes, must be requested from the rights holder and is not guaranteed. When granted, there is usually a fee associated with obtaining this license.

The Theatre Program does not provide filming equipment, camera operators, or film crews. A training session will be available near the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters from the Film Program that would allow theatre students to check out the Film Program’s equipment. Details about this training will be provided when it is scheduled. Only students who attend this training will be able to check out items from the Film Program. The production is responsible for providing any crew needed to film the show.

Nudity in Columbia productions cannot be filmed under any circumstances.

A media release specific to filming detailing the future uses of the recording must be created by the production. All parties involved with the production will need to sign this waiver prior to filming (cast/creative). Columbia will not be a part of this future use agreement, and it should not be listed in the waiver. An example of a media release can be found here: Sample Media Waivers.

Filming parts of rehearsals for the purposes of referencing choreography, transitions, and blocking is allowed provided the following protocols are followed:

  1. The cast must be given at least 24 hours advance notice that filming will be occurring during a rehearsal.
  2. These recordings are used solely for reference. They may not be used for promotional, publicity, commercial, or social media purposes and may be viewed only by the Director, Designers, Cast, and direct collaborators as part of their work on the production.

When these recordings are shared with your collaborators, please include explicit instructions not to download, share, or post any of the recorded content.

Filming of productions and runs may only be done if:

  1. All Photo Releases are submitted and permission received by performers.
  2. The performance rights allow for it. 
  3. The best time to film a performance for archival purposes is usually during final dress, when there is the most freedom to position the camera. For filming with an audience present, Lenfest Front of House must be notified in advance of any blocked seats for the the camera position. Additionally, disclosures that the filming is taking place must be prominently displayed in the lobby as the audience enters. Lenfest Front of House has standard language to post for this disclosure. Stage Management should take a photo of these signs to create a record that they were indeed posted.
  4. A waiver is created by the production with all future use defined. All parties involved with the production will need to sign this waiver prior to filming (cast/creative). Columbia will not be a part of this future use agreement, and it should not be listed in the waiver.