Film, video and photo guidelines

Guidelines for filming, videotaping, and still photography for commercial or entertainment purposes at Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis, as a private institution, owns the exclusive rights to images of its buildings, grounds, landmarks, and all other property. Written permission to use any of the University's property for filming, videotaping, and still photography for entertainment, commercial, or free-lance purposes is required. The University also owns the exclusive rights to its names and nicknames, as well as its official symbols.

Prior to any use of University names and property for such purposes, permission requests must be submitted to Washington University, using the Agreement Form provided by the Office of Public Affairs. A copy of the form may be obtained by calling (314) 935-5285. The signed form and the required attachments must be returned to and approved by Public Affairs before any production and photographic work may begin. Accompanying the form must be:

• A letter of intent describing the reasons and purposes for using University property
• Certificate of liability insurance, naming the University and its employees, students, and other agents as insureds in the minimum amounts stated on the Agreement Form
• A copy of the script, where one is being used. (Where no script is being used, the letter of intent must include a description of how University images will be used.)

Mail, email, or fax the letter and the required attachments to:
Barbara Rea
Director of Special Projects
Office of Public Affairs
Washington University in St. Louis
Campus Box 1070
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63130-4899
Fax: (314) 935-4259
Telephone: (314) 935-5285
Email: barbara_rea@aismail.wustl.edu

As a rule, the following conditions apply:

• Agreement to identify "Washington University in St. Louis" in the credits as a location for feature-length productions.
• Agreement to pay fees for various uses of the University's campuses.
• Restrictions issued on a case-by-case basis for use of the University's name, nicknames, and publicly recognizable facilities -- based on script content, shooting angles, or any other factor that might imply University endorsement of or agreement with the purposes for which the work is being done.
• Clearances from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Students for the use of any students in feature-length productions, commercials, advertisements, etc. (At no time will non-enrolled models be permitted to pose as enrolled Washington University students.)
• All photography, videotaping, or filming must be conducted at a time and place least likely to be disruptive to the academic process and student life. Please direct any questions regarding the use of the University campuses for these purposes to the Director of Special Projects at (314) 935-5285, or write to the addresses listed above.

Office of Public Affairs (Revised May 2002)

See also: Guidelines for use of the "Washington University in St. Louis" name and other identities on commercial Web sites and other communications vehicles may be found at: http://news-info.wustl.edu/web/page/normal/9046.html