Filming at SAIC

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Filming Policy

The following guidelines relate directly to filming on any of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) grounds, interior and exterior. The scope includes filming of any locations, buildings both interior and exterior, exhibitions, artworks, artifacts, personnel, and any other parts of SAIC. Filming and photography includes both still and motion footage and filming in any recognizable form.

The guidelines detailed in this document apply to all intended productions at SAIC, including:

  • Movie productions
  • Television productions
  • Music videos
  • Documentaries
  • Still photography
  • Any film or video productions created for advertising or promotional use

Statement of Intent
A statement of intent must be received by SAIC’s Department of Marketing and Communications at least seven business days prior to the commencement of any shooting. The statement should include as much relevant information as possible, including the date, times and location requested; crew, talent and vehicle numbers; the intended audience for the film or photographs; if SAIC will be represented and how; and other pertinent information and/or particular requests. The statement of intent should be emailed to communications@saic.edu, and will be reviewed by Marketing and Communications staff.

Certificate of Liability Insurance
A Certificate of Insurance (COI), naming SAIC, its officers, employees and agents as additional insured, providing comprehensive general liability insurance, including personal injury and property damage, as listed below:

  • Commercial General Liability: $1,000,000 each occurrence bodily injury and property damage; $1,000,000 personal and advertising injury, $1,000,000 products and completed operations aggregate; $1,000,000 general aggregate;
  • Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions): $1,000,000 per claim, and $1,000,000 annual aggregate;
  • Workers Compensation: Coverage as required by law; and
  • Employer’s liability: $500,000 bodily injury by accident; $500,000 Disease-Each Employee; $500,000 Disease Aggregate.

The completed COI shall be submitted to Marketing and Communications at least five business days before the shoot. Additionally, the COI shall state that the coverage provided therein shall be primary to any other coverage available to SAIC.

Filming Agreement
Filming at SAIC is subject to the terms set forth by the School as outlined in a filming agreement. The signed agreement must be submitted to Marketing and Communications at least five business days before the shoot.

Fees and Expenses
All location fees are due prior to the commencement of any shooting. There are no exceptions. Fees will be outlined in advance by Marketing and Communications.

Additional expenses (e.g., those incurred as a result of the necessary use of Campus Security) will be the responsibility of the requesting agency or production company. A final invoice will be sent upon completion of filming, and payment will be due within 60 days.

A setup fee may be charged in the event that extra time is required for the area to be prepared the day before the shoot.

Certain locations, such as the MacLean Ballroom, may require an additional booking fee.

A fee equal to 1/3 of the day’s location fee will be charged if the cancellation occurs after an agreement has been signed.

Additional Information
Requests for use of trademarked symbols for licensing purposes, sweatshirts, t-shirts, pennants, etc. for use as costumes for characters or as set dressing, should be directed to Sarah Gardner, Director of Marketing, 312.499.4218 or sgardner3@saic.edu.

All scripts that include references to SAIC must be approved by the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications. No mention is to be made of, or recognition given to, SAIC unless specifically authorized.

The School will encourage the use of SAIC students as extras, as appropriate and necessary.

Exemptions
Productions such as educational documentaries that feature or promote SAIC, local or national news crews and news productions that feature or promote SAIC, advertising that promotes SAIC, and filming by current SAIC students for the purpose of their academic work are exempt from some of the guidelines.

Current students who are looking to film at SAIC as part of their classwork at SAIC must reach out to Arnold Kemp, Dean of Graduate Studies, or Dawn Gavin, Interim Dean of Undergraduate Studies, for permission and coordination.

Contacts
Rowan Beaird
Director, Communications
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
rbeaird1@saic.edu
312.499.4217

Marketing and Communications
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
communications@saic.edu