Film, photography, video and broadcast requests

General policy

Stanford is a private university and its campus is private property. Filming and photography on Stanford-owned lands, including the hospital and clinics are restricted. Most filming and photography require advance permission. The university reserves the right to refuse or revoke permission to film or photograph on Stanford-owned lands for any reason.

For journalists/news media

The Office of Communications can assist journalists with filming and photography on Stanford Medicine property, including helping to arrange for locations and access when permission to film or photograph has been granted. 

Contact: Lisa Kim, Senior Manager, Media Relations at likim@stanfordhealthcare.org.

Journalists must notify the Office of Communications to obtain permission to come onto Stanford Medicine property. Whenever possible, we request 24 hours’ notice.

Journalists must adhere to the university’s privacy policies. No one at Stanford can be filmed without their permission, except at public events to which the public and media have been invited. 

Journalists must obtain prior permission in order to film or photograph in any interior spaces at the medical school and hospital. This includes administration and office buildings, classrooms, laboratories, and clinical spaces.

Broadcast facilities

Stanford has broadcast studio facilities available to the news media on a first-come, first-served basis for interviewing faculty and staff. We have the capacity to transmit by the LTN Global Network for television and by ISDN and IP for radio for live broadcast feeds. For more information, contact Stanford Video at 650-725-4872.

Documentary/non-news media film, photography and video

Documentary/Non-news media, education-related requests to film on campus should be made in writing at least five business days in advance.

Contact: Margarita Gallardo, Associate Director of Digital Media at mjgallardo@stanford.edu

To request permission, please send the following information (Note that completion is not a confirmation of filming):

  • Name and description of organization or individual making request

  • Name of Stanford researchers/faculty members (or desired subjects) involved in filming or photography

  • Project description, including the way in which Stanford will be portrayed, the resulting use of the material, and whether the material will be used for marketing purposes.

  • Name of distribution company and/or plans for distribution

  • Primary audience for project

  • Name of funding agency for project

  • Date(s) requested, time and duration of proposed shoot (please include estimated time including set-up, interview, b-roll and breakdown):

  • Specific site(s) requested. Requests absent specific locations will not be considered. Be advised that filming/photography at locations such as The Oval, Hoover Tower, in the Main Quadrangle, in Memorial Court and in Memorial Church is prohibited.

  • Number of people and amount and type of equipment involved, including vehicles.

Proof of adequate insurance coverage and indemnity is required. Certificates of liability insurance should name the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (450 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305), its officers, agents, representatives, students, employees and volunteers as additional insured.

A Stanford location agreement must be executed in advance, if the request is approved.

Video b-roll

Permission to shoot b-roll must be obtained prior to filming. Request access to download high-quality, Stanford Medicine-produced b-roll of the campus and hospital by contacting Margarita Gallardo at mjgallardo@stanford.edu.

Drones

  • Non-Stanford entities and campus guests are prohibited from flying drones and other unmanned flying vehicles above or from within Stanford lands. Faculty, students, staff and approved vendors are required to obtain advance approval for such flights from a university committee. For more information and instructions on requesting review of a proposed flight, see the Policy on Operation of Unmanned Flying Vehicles.

Release forms

Publicity release forms (also referred to as a “photo release” or “model release“) are needed when photographing or recording individuals for Stanford use, or to obtain permission for using personal photos in an editorial video or other similar product. HIPAA release forms are required by law if patient information is included. Contact Lisa Kim at likim@stanfordhealthcare.org or Margarita Gallardo at mjgallardo@stanford.edu.

Review the Film, Photography and Video Requests page on the University Communications website. You can also check out their Filming FAQ page for additional information.

Trademark use policy

  • Use of Stanford’s name, other trademarks and emblems, or campus images by third parties is prohibited without written permission by the university. The guidelines are designed to protect perceptions of Stanford’s academic and research integrity and independence; maintain its tax-exempt status; avoid the appearance of endorsing non-Stanford entities; and ensure accurate representations about its relationships with other organizations.See Stanford’s Name Use Guidelines.