Filming and Photography Guidelines
Photography and Filming Guidelines
The Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) supports photography and filming initiatives that align with its mission to promote dental medicine, oral health, and scientific research. All activities must adhere to Harvard University policies and ensure minimal disruption to the work of faculty, staff, and students.
Photography Guidelines
- Professional Photo Shoots: The Communications Office oversees professional photography for marketing and promotional purposes, working with approved vendors.
- Photo Permissions: A signed Photo Permission Form is required for any non-HSDM-affiliated individuals whose image may be used in HSDM materials, videos, or on the website.
- Off-Site Events: Departments organizing photography off-site must use the photo permission form and comply with any guest photo restrictions.
Filming Guidelines
Filming requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure they align with HSDM’s mission, vision, and values. Projects must:
- Be legitimate educational or news initiatives produced by recognized media outlets or independent filmmakers working on their behalf.
- Focus on dental medicine, oral health, or biomedical science.
- Not promote for-profit entities or use HSDM’s name for commercial gain.
Examples of Eligible Projects
- News stories by established journalists.
- Documentaries with a clear commitment from a distributor or streaming platform.
Projects in early development or without a confirmed distributor will not be considered.
General Media Requirements
To ensure compliance and minimize disruption:
- Permission and Oversight:
- The Director of Communications must be notified of all external photography or filming requests.
- Media crews must sign Harvard’s standard location agreement before filming.
- Conduct on Campus:
- Filming faculty, staff, or students requires written consent. Individuals may opt out at any time.
- Media crews must be escorted at all times by an HSDM representative.
- Recording equipment must not interfere with workflows, disrupt scientific experiments, or touch lab equipment.
- Minimal equipment and small cameras are encouraged to reduce disruptions.
- Harvard Medical School (HMS) Filming Guidelines:
- Follow HMS policies, including advance security notifications and limitations on student filming.
Additional Requirements for Long-Term Projects
Long-term or recurring filming projects (e.g., series or documentaries) require a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifying the terms and conditions.