Skip to Main Content

Location and Film Requests

The Miami University campuses may occasionally be used (on a limited basis) for filming projects, including television shows, movies, commercials, documentaries, photo shoots, etc., as long as it does not interfere with Miami’s primary educational mission and necessary daily functions.

The following procedures have been developed to clarify under what circumstances Miami’s owned properties and university-owned buildings may be used as a location for videos, films, or photography. Miami’s University Communications and Marketing department must receive all film and location requests for review. All decisions to allow filming/videotaping/photographing of Miami’s campuses, university-owned lands, or university-owned buildings will be made by the university’s vice president and chief marketing and communications officer (or his or her designee).

These procedures do not apply to members of the media who are at Miami to produce stories that will be published in a newspaper/magazine/website or on a news broadcast.

Location and Filming Request Procedures

All individuals or production companies wishing to film on Miami campuses that are not affiliated with the university should fill out the Location and Film Request Form.

The filming request will be evaluated and a decision will be made based on the following factors, among others, depending on the nature of the request:

  • Does it interfere with educational, research, program functions, or previously scheduled events?
  • Does it pose a security or safety risk?
  • Does it compromise the privacy of any faculty, staff, student, or visitor at Miami?
  • Does Miami have the time and resources needed to support the request?

A form should be submitted at least fifteen (15) working days prior to the planned filming.

If the request is approved, the requester will need to sign a Location Agreement, which will contain standard terms and conditions, including, without limitation, the following:

  • The requester must procure and maintain the following types and amounts of insurance: (a) Commercial General Liability with limits no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate, including bodily injury and property damage and products and completed operations and advertising liability, which policy will include contractual liability coverage insuring the activities of you under this Agreement; and (b) Commercial Automobile Liability with limits no less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury, death, and property damage, including owned and non-owned and hired automobile coverages, as applicable.
  • The requester will add “Miami University and its trustees, officers, and employees” as additional insureds to the Commercial General Liability and Commercial Automobile Liability policies.  The requester must deliver a certificate of insurance to the university’s risk manager. 
  • The requester will be responsible for indemnifying the university from third party claims, and for replacing or repairing any of the University’s real or personal property that is damaged during the filming process.
  • The requester will be solely responsible for obtaining all copyright and trademark clearances (e.g., releases, waivers, permissions, etc.).  The requester will be responsible for indemnifying the university for any claims related to its failure to secure such clearances.

There is a daily charge of $1,000 for film and location agreements.

If filming a video, a copy of the final script must be submitted for review. The review process can take up to fifteen (15) working days. Any changes or revisions should be submitted to University Communications and Marketing as soon as possible for review and approval by the vice president, chief marketing and communications officer. Miami reserves the right to withdraw its permission if there are substantive changes to the script. 

Questions about filming at Miami or these procedures should be directed to the brand and licensing manager at brand@MiamiOH.edu. Miami reserves the right to change these policies and procedures at any time to protect the best interest of Miami.