Oregon Zoo
Location Filming Guidelines [No-Fee Agreement]
Photo Guidelines | Photo Request Form
1. Permission. The Oregon Zoo is a public Zoo. Our visitors are entitled to experience the entire zoo with a minimum of distraction. Permission to film or photograph at the zoo is granted subject to certain conditions. The project must be consistent with the Zoo's mission and image, may not hinder operations, and must not detract from the visitors' experience. Permission can be obtained only from the Zoo's public relations department.
Please note that a prerequisite for all projects is completion and execution by an authorized representative of the production company of the Oregon Zoo's Location Agreement (.pdf), of which these Guidelines are an integral part. Please also note that the Zoo reserves the absolute right to grant or deny permission to shoot and to determine the terms under which shooting will be permitted.
2. Advance Notice. At least two weeks advance notice is requested whenever possible. While the Zoo will make every effort to accommodate last minute requests to shoot, it may not be possible to accommodate requests with less than 24-hour notice.
3. Impact on the Zoo. If at any time the production companys activities threaten to disrupt the Zoos operations or the experiences of its visitors or pose a safety hazard to the visitors, the Zoo reserves the right to require the company to reschedule its activities. As well, the company will be required to make any changes or to discontinue filming, if the Zoo determines that exhibit life is being endangered or the potential for damage to the building or exhibits exists.
4. Script Review. The Zoo reserves the right to approve or deny use of its name or image in any context and to review the scripts for all scenes involving the Zoo for factual accuracy.
5. Filming in Tanks. Divers with equipment present a serious hazard to the exhibits and resident marine life. As a general rule, the Zoo does not allow non-staff divers into exhibits. Exceptions are made, however, with the approval of curators. Certified scuba divers who meet all aquarium qualifications may be given temporary permission to dive and shoot in the exhibits. Divers are not permitted in the Sea Lion exhibits under any circumstances.
A complete "Temporary Certification" form must be received by public relations and approved by the Zoo's curator at least 48 hours in advance of the shoot date, and a check-out dive may be required. Any diver permitted to dive in the Zoos tanks will be required to sign its Agreement to Waive and Release All Claims in advance.
6. Site Requirements. Whenever possible, a site tour and review of on-site requirements will be scheduled in advance of the shoot. If this is not possible, a member of the Zoos public relations staff must review the production companys requirements by telephone. Any behind-the-scenes shooting must be agreed upon prior to the shoot date. The size of crew, number of talent and amount of equipment must be agreed upon prior to the shoot date.
7. Lighting and Electrical Needs. Power supplies are limited in certain areas of the Zoo. Power needs must be directed to the Zoos electrician in advance of the shoot.
Lighting restrictions may apply to certain areas of the Zoo. In most areas, additional lighting is allowed. The number of lights and their placement in relation to exhibit windows must be monitored by a member of the public relations staff. (Some of the exhibit windows are acrylic and can be damaged by hot lights.)
Exhibit lighting may not be altered without permission from a member of the exhibits department. No exhibits may be lit, or exhibit lighting be on, after 1:00 a.m. unless an agreement is made in writing prior to the commencement of any filming on site. No live exhibits may be lit after 12 midnight.
8. Exhibits and Set Construction. Zoo exhibits may not be altered or moved in any way. Limited set construction may be permitted during non-operating hours. Any sets brought into the Zoo must be approved ahead of time. Nothing may be permanently attached to walls or other structures. NO TAPE MAY BE APPLIED TO WALLS OR EXHIBITS. Any materials brought into the building must be removed by members of the crew.
9. Storage. All space on Zoo property has a designated purpose and is at a premium. We regret that no storage of any kind can be provided on site prior to or between filming sessions, with one exception: by prior agreement, some lighting set-ups behind the scenes that may be required on multiple days may remain in place during the duration of filming.
10. Parking. The Zoo cannot provide extensive parking. Parking for production vehicles is also is extremely limited, parking needs must be addressed in detail and in advance of the shoot.
11. Damages. The production company is fully responsible for all damages occurring at the Zoo during its use and for paying for all repairs deemed necessary by the Zoo.
12. Insurance. The production company must carry workers compensation insurance and a general liability policy with limits of at least $1 million. Depending upon the circumstances, the production company may be required to obtain additional coverage, to name the aquarium as an additional insured, and to furnish a certificate of insurance to the Zoo.
13. Model Releases. The production company is responsible for obtaining model releases for Zoo visitors whenever necessary. A model release will be provided by the Zoo for any Zoo staff or volunteers interviewed by the production company.
14. Trademarks. The Zoos name, its elephant logo, and exhibit names are trademarks owned by the Oregon Zoo. Permission is granted to use these trademarks in the companys final product without alteration. Permission must be obtained from the Zoo in writing to use any of these trademarks in promotional or other materials related to the final product.
15. Ownership. Except as otherwise agreed, all film and photographs shot by the production company shall belong to it. The company shall provide a copy of the final product to the Zoo for archival purposes.
16. Use of Film and Photographs. The production company may use film and photographs shot at the Zoo only for the purpose stated in the Location Agreement. The company may sell its final product for broadcast by others but may not sell individual images shot at the Zoo or provided by the Zoo separate from its product. In addition, the company may not use images taken at or provided by the Zoo in connection with productions which do not directly involve the Zoo, without its prior written consent.
17. Credit. The production company will acknowledge the Zoo in its production should it use any film or photographs shot at the Zoo.
