Production Insurance

Safety protocols are important for mitigating and reducing the risks associated with production. Insurance coverage is put in place to help cover losses in the unfortunate case of a covered loss. All productions – whether professional or student – must have insurance coverage in place to help prevent disastrous losses. At CTVA, securing insurance is an essential step in the production greenlight workflow, reinforcing a professional standard that mirrors industry practices.

At Cinema and Television Arts, insurance coverage is exclusively available for approved projects that have been registered and greenlit through the Safety & Insurance Greenlight Process.

To begin, once your faculty instructor has given preliminary greenlight approval for your script, scan the QR code on the Safety Project Registration Flyer and follow the outlined steps. This process applies to projects conducting Principal Photography as well as those doing Reshoots.

Access to insurance is a privilege, not a right. This privilege may be suspended or revoked at any time if any CSUN or CTVA policies, as well as industry-standard safety regulations and protocols, are violated.

All CTVA productions are required to receive approval (greenlight) from faculty and the CTVA Safety Coordinator before proceeding with an insurance application. Please note that registering a production does not automatically secure insurance coverage. Refer to the Safety & Insurance Greenlight Process for a comprehensive overview of the process, from project registration to obtaining a greenlight.

General Liability

General Liability protects against claims of bodily injury or property damage arising out of filming activity. The requirement for short-term General Liability coverage is often dictated by property owners whose property you want to use. Common reasons for needing short-term coverage include:

A property owner requires you to obtain General Liability coverage before they allow you to film on their property.

A state or municipal governmental agency requires you to obtain General Liability coverage before you are allowed to film on publicly owned land.

You want protection from bodily injury or property damage claims resulting from your filming activity.

Specific coverage amounts include:

General Liability: Cover up to $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate.

Excess (Umbrella) Liability: Cover up to $1,000,000 per occurrence or event with $1,000,000 aggregate.

Third-Party Property Damage

A General Liability policy only covers damage to property not under the care, custody, or control of the insured. For example:

If you rent a home and film scenes inside for your production and damage the home during filming activity, it is NOT covered under General Liability. This is because the home is under your care, custody, or control, which is excluded under a General Liability Policy.

If, on the other hand, you damage the neighbor's property during your filming activity, that would be covered under General Liability.

To address this:

If you intend to rent a home for filming, Third-Party Property Damage coverage is required to protect you against any damage claims to the property occurring during filming activities.

Third-Party Property Damage is a component of the General Liability coverage. You must obtain General Liability coverage to be covered for Third-Party Property Damage.

Inland Marine

Inland Marine coverage includes a broad range of production-related assets, such as equipment, locations, props, sets, and costumes. Specific coverage amounts include:

Miscellaneous Rented Equipment: Covered up to $1,000,000 with a $5,000 deductible.

Props, Sets, and Wardrobes: Covered up to $100,000 with a $2,500 deductible.

Third-Party Property Damage: Covered up to $1,000,000 with a $5,000 deductible.

This coverage ensures that rented equipment and production materials are protected while in use, providing financial protection against theft, loss, or damage. Many rental companies require this insurance before releasing their equipment to your production.

Non-Union Projects: CTVA does not provide Workers’ Compensation. As the producer of a non-union project, you are responsible for collecting a signed Waiver of Liability Form from every individual on your set who is not an enrolled CSUN student. This includes all external cast and crew members.

Union (SAG) Projects: If your project is a union (SAG) production, your production is required to procure Workers’ Compensation for all SAG members and specialized crew, such as Stunt Coordinators, Talent, Studio Teachers, Minor Talent, Intimacy Coordinators, and others.

Remember, as the producer, you are responsible for everyone present on your set. Maintain strict control over any visitors or individuals external to your production to ensure safety and compliance.

The insurance process is directly tied to the safety process. You must obtain the Safety Greenlight first to apply for a Certificate of Insurance (COI), which serves as proof of coverage.

Once you have completed all the requirements for the safety process and received the Preliminary Greenlight from the Production Safety Coordinator, you must fill out the COI Request Form.

You must submit one COI Request Form for each of the following:

Filming locations: one form per location (e.g., standing set, house, park).

Vendors: one form per vendor (e.g., equipment, props, costumes).

Permit authorities: one form per jurisdiction (e.g., FilmLA, Burbank, Ventura).

Use the last blank space in the form to include any important information, such as "insurance amounts," "waiver of subrogation," etc.

If your script includes any Conditionally Approved or Conditionally Excluded Activities, you must submit the required supporting documents along with the COI Request Form and Risk Assessment Forms.

Example:

Activity: Complex Stunt – Skateboarding Sequence.

Requirements:

Stunt Coordinator Information: Include contact details, resume, and IMDb page.

Shot List: Provide a detailed shot list of all stunt scenes.

Storyboards and/or Overheads: Submit visuals illustrating how the stunts will be executed.

Stunt Doubles: Include doubles for talent involved in stunts.

Safety Equipment: Specify items like knee pads, crash pads, or other necessary gear.

Once your COI request has been reviewed and submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from the Production Safety Coordinator.

Timeframe: COI requests can take up to 10 business days to process.

Receiving the COIs: Once issued, the Production Safety Coordinator will email you the COIs.

For questions or more details about the types of insurance coverage and policy limits, see Understanding the Types of Insurance Coverage, above .

When applying for a COI for Rented Equipment outside of CTVA’s ARC (Arri Resource Center)

You must provide a quote for rented equipment with your COI request before insurance can be approved.

This equipment must be rented from rental houses or brick-and-mortar vendors. Privately owned equipment, including rentals from platforms like ShareGrid or similar companies, is not covered by CTVA.

Remember, if all your equipment is provided by the ARC (Arri Resource Center), you do not need to complete a COI, as the equipment is already covered.

Important Notes

All COI requests must include detailed information regarding the additional insured, equipment, vendors, and specific locations requiring coverage.

Use the final section of the COI form to specify additional information, such as "insurance amounts" or "waiver of subrogation," if applicable.

If you are filming on campus, you do not need to complete the COI form for equipment or facilities. However, you must still reserve the facilities and equipment through the appropriate departments.

If your project includes any of the following activities, you must have protocols in place, along with a comprehensive safety plan and filming plan, to obtain approval.

Your filming plan must first be approved by your faculty instructor and then by the CTVA Production Safety Coordinator before you can submit a request for a COI.

Use the Script-Based Risk Assessment Form (script-based) (instructions) to create your safety plan for review and approval by the Safety Production Coordinator. Ensure that each activity is thoroughly addressed in your safety plan and complies with departmental and industry standards.

Here is a list of the Conditionally Approved Activities. If your script includes any of these, you must have the protocols in place and follow the Safety Coordinator's instructions to obtain the Safety Greenlight.

Animals
Bikes & Skateboards
Routine Driving Sequences
Minor Stunts or "Cheated" Stunts
Prop Weapons
Fog Machines & Hazers
Kitchen/Food Prep
Leaving Equipment/Production Trucks Overnight
Minors
Fire-Related Activities

• Smoking

Water Related Activities

Below are the basic requirements for each activity. Depending on the complexity of your script and how these activities are incorporated, additional requirements may be necessary to secure insurance coverage and receive safety greenlight approval for your project.

• Animals

If there are any animals in your film, the following requirements must be met:

A certified animal wrangler must be present during all scenes involving animals.

Talents interacting with the animal must submit a written statement confirming they are not allergic to the animal.

• Bikes & Skateboards

Bicycles and Skateboards are permitted to move only within controlled environments, such as:

Private, gated properties

Studio backlots (e.g., Radford, Universal)

Designated parks

CSUN facilities

Safety Requirements

Helmets: Talents must wear helmets at all times during these activities.

Rehearsals: Adequate rehearsal time must be allocated to allow talents to become accustomed to the bicycle or skateboard.

Talent Capability Statement: Talents must provide a written statement confirming their ability to safely perform the activity (e.g., riding a bicycle or skateboard).

These activities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure safety and compliance.

• Driving Sequences

Filming on public streets is strictly prohibited for any CTVA production.

Picture vehicles are only allowed to move within controlled environments, such as private, gated properties or studio backlots (e.g., Radford, Universal).

As a safe alternative, productions can use the Poor Man’s Process to simulate vehicle movement effectively and safely.

• Minor Stunts or” Cheated” Stunts

Minor stunts, such as punches, falls, fainting, pushes, or slaps, can be “cheated” if your budget does not allow for a stunt coordinator.

Cheating a stunt involves breaking the action into multiple shots to avoid performing the actual stunt while maintaining the illusion of realism.

If it fits your story or vision and you plan to "cheat" the stunt in your script, you must provide the following for approval:

A shot list of the scenes containing the "cheated" stunts.

Storyboards illustrating how the stunts will be "cheated."

If the stunt involves a prop weapon, the prop weapon must be cleared prior to approval.

To learn more about the process of "cheating" a stunt, check the ‘how to cheat a stunt’ infographic here.

Prop Weapons

Firearms with operating parts or any type of explosive weapons are strictly prohibited in all CSUN student films.

Only non-functional prop weapons will be approved after completing the clearance process.

Firearm Prop Clearance

All prop firearms must go through the clearance process with CSUN Police.

Refer to the Prop Weapon Clearance Infographic for detailed steps.

Access the Permission for Prop Firearms Weapons Approval Request Form here (Step 3 of the clearance process).

Other Prop Weapons

Prop weapons other than firearms (e.g., knives, hammers, pocket knives, syringes) must complete Step 10 of the Prop Weapon Clearance process through the CTVA Production Safety Coordinator.

• Fog Machines & Hazers

Intended Use: Fog machines and hazers must only be used in their intended environments (indoor or outdoor).

Masks: Productions must provide masks for anyone who chooses to use them while working under fog/haze conditions.

Working with Minors or Senior Talent: Breaks must be provided every 20–30 minutes when filming under fog or haze conditions on indoor sets.

Location Approval: The use of fog/haze machines must be cleared with the location owner or representative prior to filming.

Approved Fog/Haze Machines

Indoor/Outdoor Use:

DF-50 Diffusion Hazer

Chauvet DJ Fog Machine

American DJ Fog Machine

Rosco Vapour Fog Machine

Gemmy Industries Fog Machine

Outdoor Use Only:

Castex Rentals – Lawn Fogger

• Kitchen/Food Preparation

This activity is allowed under the following regulations:

Flat, Stationary Surface: Cutting must occur on a flat, stationary surface specifically designed for that purpose (e.g., a cutting board).

Controlled Manner: The action must be conducted in a controlled, non-violent, and non-aggressive manner.

Adequate Lighting: Cutting must take place in well-lit environments. Dark or shadowy settings are not permitted.

Appropriate Instruments: Only kitchen tools designed for cutting may be used.

Talent Age Requirement: Talent handling knives must be at least 18 years old. Minors are not permitted to handle cutting instruments.

Prop Knife for Interactions: If there is interaction between talents, the knife must be replaced with a prop knife (prop clearance applies).

• Leaving Equipment/Production Trucks Overnight

Cameras, lenses, and other similarly sized or high-value specialty equipment or props must NEVER be left in a truck or on location overnight.

Other equipment may only remain on location or in the truck overnight if the truck is parked at a gated site and/or a professional security guard is hired to monitor the location or truck at all times.

• Minors

A minor is defined as any talent 17 years old or younger. If your script includes a minor, several requirements must be met:

A certified Studio Teacher and the minor’s parent or legal guardian must always be present on set.

You must provide the Studio Teacher’s contact information, resume, and/or IMDb page.

Depending on the minor’s age, you must adhere to regulations regarding their working hours, school hours, lunch breaks, and a one-hour rest and recreation period (R&R).

Both the minor and the production are required to obtain the appropriate permits.

Workers’ compensation insurance must be secured for both the minor and the Studio Teacher.

For the full list of requirements, refer to the Working with Minors Infographic here .

• Fire-Related Activities

Open flames are strictly prohibited in all CTVA student productions unless supervised by a certified Fire Marshal, with a fire extinguisher present on set at all times.

For outdoor open flames, additional safety measures may be required, including the presence of a water truck, alongside the Fire Marshal and fire extinguishers.

Difference Between an Open Flame and a Contained Flame

Open Flame:
An open flame is any fire that is exposed and not enclosed or shielded. Examples include torches, candles, campfires, or any visible flames directly exposed to air. Open flames are considered more hazardous due to their potential to spread to surrounding materials.

As an alternative, battery-powered props, such as lanterns and candles, may be approved upon review.

Contained Flame:
A contained flame is a fire that is enclosed within a controlled and secure environment, such as a lighter, fireplace, or stove. Contained flames are safer as they remain restricted to a specific area, reducing the risk of accidental spread or injury.

All open or contained flames will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure safety and compliance.

• Smoking Cigarettes/Cigars/Pipes/Other Smoking Apparatuses

Props: All cigarettes, cigars, tobacco props, and other smoking apparatuses must be fake prop versions. Actors cannot be compelled to smoke on camera.

Minors: No minors are permitted to smoke under any circumstances.

Fire Safety:

A dedicated crew member must have a fire extinguisher and a glass of water on hand to extinguish the prop once the scene is finished.

Lit cigarettes cannot be left unattended at any time.

Location Approval: Smoking must be cleared by the location owner or representative prior to filming.

Ignition Source: The use of paper book matches as an ignition source is prohibited; only lighters are allowed.

This activity will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

• Water-Related Activities

Equipment: All equipment provided by CSUN’s Arri Resource Center is not waterproof. If scenes take place in or underwater, productions must rent waterproof equipment and hire certified underwater operators.

Safety Personnel: A certified lifeguard must be on duty for groups of 7 people. Minimize the number of talents and crew near or inside the body of water to ensure safety.

Scenes Near Water: If the scene occurs near a body of water but talent is not entering the water, all equipment must be placed at least 6 feet away from the splash zone.

Electrical Safety: All electrical equipment must be plugged in using GFCI connectors to prevent hazards.

Minors: If minors are involved, the scene will require further review.

Essential Provisions: Productions must provide towels, life vests, and a warming station for safety and comfort.

Nudity: If nudity is involved, a certified Intimacy Coordinator must be hired, and all closed set protocols must be followed.

Approval Process: This activity will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and approval may take up to 10 business days.

The following activities require additional scrutiny and may be conditionally excluded unless strict protocols and professional supervision are in place.

Additionally, for these activities, you must provide the Risk Assessment Script-based Form & Risk Assessment Location-based Form along with storyboards, overheads, shot lists, and photos of the locations where these activities will take place as part of your safety plan for approval. Approval time for these activities can take up to 10 business days.

• Complex Stunts or Fight Sequences

A complex stunt is an action that requires choreography for the camera to create a realistic and believable effect. Examples include fight sequences, chases, wall jumps, and actions involving dragging individuals.

These stunts must be choreographed by a Stunt Coordinator to ensure safety. If you are performing a stunt, the following must be provided:

Stunt Coordinator Information: Include their contact details, resume, and IMDb page.

Shot List: Provide a detailed shot list of all scenes involving stunts.

Storyboards and/or Overheads: Submit visuals that illustrate how the stunt will be executed.

Additional Requirements: Depending on the complexity of the scene, you may also need:

Stunt doubles for the talent involved.

Safety equipment such as knee pads, crash pads, or other necessary gear.

Non-Owned (rented), Stationary Watercraft under 26ft

Watercrafts are permitted in CTVA productions only if they are 26 feet or smaller. They must remain docked and stationary during the scene, with no movement allowed. This activity will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure safety and compliance.

The following activities are excluded from CTVA insurance coverage and are therefore strictly prohibited in any CTVA production:

• Rigging

Rigging of any kind is strictly prohibited on picture vehicles for all CTVA productions.

Camera Placement: Cameras must be either:

On sticks/tripod outside of the vehicle, or

Handheld when inside the vehicle.

• Drones & Aircraft

The use of drones is prohibited for all CTVA productions.

• Sexual Abuse and Molestation

Any depiction of sexual abuse or molestation is strictly prohibited in all CTVA productions.

• Anything filmed outside the USA

This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Non-Owned (rented) Watercraft (26 feet or longer and in motion)

Watercraft over 26 ft and in motion are strictly prohibited in all CTVA productions.

A COI (Certificate Of Insurance) typically takes up to 10 business days to process from the submission date, so please plan accordingly.

Elizabeth Soto-Lara, CTVA Safety Production Coordinator

Phone: 818.677.5869 | 818.677.7939

Office: Manzanita Hall 165