Television, Film, Photography

Below please find policies regarding the permission process for filming and photography on campus.

Television, Film, Video (non-news)

Yale will consider requests to shoot for television, motion pictures, or other electronic or digital media on the Yale campus, provided the filming does not interfere with the educational mission of the University. Production companies must work directly with the Office of the Secretary, and their work is subject to fees.

To request permission to film on campus, please submit a film application. See the Film and Photography Guidelines for complete information; to view and print this PDF document, Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed. We are happy to consult with you prior to the submission of a formal request. Please contact Leigh Anne Minutoli; telephone, (203) 432-0710.

Yale works closely with the State of Connecticut’s Film, Video and Media Office as well as the City of New Haven.

News Media

Journalists may take photographs and video footage on the Yale campus with advance permission from the Office of Public Affairs; telephone, 203 432-1345. To shoot inside any Yale building, photographers must be accompanied by Public Affairs staff. To shoot interiors, or to arrange an interview with Yale faculty, staff, or students, please call (203)432-1333.

Photography (non-news)

Yale may permit photographic activity that is safe and that does not disrupt the daily activity of the campus. To request permission to photograph on campus, please submit a film application. See the Film and Photography Guidelines for complete information; to view and print this PDF document, Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed.

The Yale campus may be available in limited circumstances for commercial photography, provided that all requirements of the Film and Photography Guidelines are met and that the location is not generally recognizable as part of Yale (unless prior permission from the Licensing Office has been given).

Product Placement

Yale will consider requests to use the Yale name and trademarks in a film, video, photography, or television production. The University requires the following before evaluating any request:

  1. a written request stating the Yale name, trademark, image, or product to be used and its specific placement within the production;
  2. a copy of the entire script;
  3. a synopsis of the production, including names of producers, directors, and on-air talent;
  4. if available, information regarding the projected release date, intended audiences (e.g. if it is a motion picture, what MPAA rating is anticipated; if it is a television show, in what timeslot will it air) and exposure of the entire project.

The University does not allow the use of a genuine Yale diploma, but will provide a simulated diploma to pre-approved requests for a fee. For further information, please contact Leigh Anne Minutoli; telephone, (203) 432-0710.

Stock and Archival Resources

The Yale campus contains many distinctive buildings and scenes. A sampling of photographs of the campus and recent events is available in the Office of Public Affairs’s online Yale Image Gallery. A large archive of stock slides and photographs of the campus and faculty is available in print or electronic form. Stock B-roll footage is also available for license. For further information and permission to use these images, please contact the Office of Public Affairs; telephone, (203)432-1333.

Additional resources for photographs include:

Additional television and film resources include: