Filming at Yale


Those who would like to film at Yale must fill out a filming application. Please allow 10 days for review.


Commercial Films & Videos

Please visit the Filming at Yale website for guidelines.

Non-Commercial News/Documentary Films & Videos

Yale University’s Office of Public Affairs & Communications (OPAC) would like to make it as easy as possible for you to record news or documentary footage and interviews on our campus, and will be happy to facilitate your efforts.

Filming Locations

We can provide you with high quality B-roll of some of the more popular filming locations on campus and Yale landmark buildings.

We have a few ground rules, and some restrictions, on what and where you will be permitted to shoot while on campus.

Out of concern for the privacy of our students, faculty, and staff, we do not allow cameras or any other recording devices into our residential colleges, classrooms, or the gymnasium.

Access to some iconic locations is granted on a case-by-case basis. These locations include:

  • Sterling Memorial Library
  • Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
  • Residential College courtyards
  • Woolsey Hall
  • Battell Chapel
  • Harkness Tower

It will be necessary that a representative of OPAC escort your film crew at all times when you are on Yale property.

Parking

Yale does not provide parking but will advise you on the availability of public parking adjacent to campus.

How to Get Started

Once you decide you’d like to film on campus, please follow these steps:

  1. Call OPAC at 203-432-1345. Please try to give us as much notice as possible; it might not be possible for us to get access to certain buildings without 24 hours notice.
  2. Send us a copy of your insurance policy. A Certificate of Insurance naming Yale University as additional insured for the day(s) of filming, load-in, and strike must be emailed to OPAC a minimum of 48 hours prior to filming and/or load-in. Coverage ranges from $1-5 million and is determined by the nature of the project.
  3. Students under the age of 18 must sign consent forms before their images and interviews can be used.

Because our first concern is the welfare of our students, faculty and staff, we reserve the right to decline your request to film on campus if it is not considered in the best interests of the University.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the guidelines and requirements for shooting on the Yale campus?
Anyone wishing to film or take still photographs on the Yale campus has to inform OPAC, by email at opac@yale.edu or phone 203-432-1345.

If I have already made arrangements to interview a Yale faculty member in his/her office, do I have to inform anyone else at Yale of my intent?
Yes - OPAC would like to be informed in advance.

Under what circumstances would I be allowed to shoot a class in session?
We discourage filming in classes when they are in session, unless the class is the subject of the story you are telling. If the request to film is initiated by the professor of the class, it is up to him or her to inform all the students and to give them the option to skip the class if they do not wish to be on camera. The producer should secure written consent from every student who might be on camera.

Can I come to Yale and interview random students I meet on campus?
No. Members of the media and commercial photographers must be accompanied by an OPAC escort while on the Yale campus, and any filming must be arranged in advance. However, we are an urban university and we cannot restrict filming done on city streets.

Does Yale ever turn down requests to shoot on campus?
Yes. The University judges each request on a case by case basis. Issues such as the time the filming is to take place and the subject matter of the project will be taken into consideration when reviewing the request.

Who will help me find a suitable location to shoot an interview?
Tell the OPAC officer who is handling your request exactly what you are looking for. We have a number of appropriate locations available, though when school is in session your first choice might not be available. We also can make arrangements to shoot the interview in our TV studio.

Does Yale have high resolution b-roll of the campus we can use?
Yes, and we encourage you to use it, especially if you are shooting the campus as background for a story not directly related to the university itself. Available footage includes shots of campus from the ground as well as aerials. To request access to preview and download footage, please email opac@yale.edu.