Production Safety
At California State University, Northridge's Department of Cinema and Television Arts (CTVA), safety is our top priority. We are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of all students involved in film, television, documentary, and emerging media productions. We recognize that the creative process in these fields often involves complex and potentially hazardous situations, from working with specialized equipment and locations to managing large crews and sensitive materials. Our mission is to provide students with the knowledge, resources, and oversight necessary to conduct their productions safely and professionally.
Through a combination of comprehensive safety protocols, on-set training, and on-site supervision, we strive to instill a culture of safety that empowers students to make informed decisions throughout their creative endeavors. Whether you're planning a short film, documentary, or a television pilot, the Safety Production Coordinator is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your projects are completed without compromising the health and safety of everyone involved.
- Project Registration and Script Submission
Student producers of selected projects in the Film, Television, and Documentary Options must complete the CTVA Safety Project Registration Form and submit the most current version of the script for safety review. This process must be completed at least three weeks before the intended shooting dates to ensure the project is greenlighted on time.
- Script Analysis
An exhaustive analysis of the script is conducted to identify potential hazards and safety issues. Using the Production Safety Script Analysis Form, scenes with safety concerns are highlighted in yellow and accompanied by detailed safety notes and questions regarding the filming plan.
- Delivery of Safety Notes and Meeting Request
A week after script submission, the Production Safety Script Analysis form, along with the safety notes, is sent to the student producer and cc'd to the professor.
- Meeting Arrangement
An in-person meeting with the Producers, First Assistant Director, Director, and Director of Photography is requested by the CTVA Safety Production Coordinator. The student producer coordinates with the team to find a suitable date and time for everyone.
- Greenlight Safety Meeting
The CTVA Safety Production Coordinator addresses the safety notes related to specific scenes in the script. Each scene with identified issues is reviewed, and the safest methods for execution are discussed. The students present their shooting and safety plans for approval. If all issues are resolved, the project receives a safety greenlight. If any elements are still missing, a follow-up meeting is arranged to finalize the greenlight process.
- Safety Greenlight Email
Once all issues have been resolved, the Production Safety Script Analysis form is updated with notes on how the issues were addressed, indicating that the project has been greenlighted under those conditions. The CTVA Safety Production Coordinator then sends this updated form to the student producers and their professor.
Safety is our top priority when it comes to handling weapons on set or on campus. The Weapons Protocol has been developed to guide student productions through the correct clearance procedures and ensure that all safety regulations are strictly followed.
Firearms with operating parts or any type of explosive weapons in any CSUN student films are prohibited. Only non-functional prop weapons will be approved after completing the clearance process.
For a detailed breakdown of the 10-step clearance process and essential weapon usage protocols, please download the PDF below. The PDF will cover:
- Clearance process for non-functional prop weapons on set and campus
- Proper handling and storage of prop weapons
- Required approvals and permissions
- Safety procedures during production
The Permission Firearms Weapons Approval Request form can be downloaded here. You must fill out this form before proceeding to step 3 (making an appointment with CSUN Police Services).
By following these steps, we aim to maintain a safe and professional environment for all our productions.
Elizabeth Soto-Lara, CTVA Safety Production Coordinator
Phone: 818.677.5869 | 818.677.7939
Office: Manzanita Hall 165