By signing this manual for the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts facilities, you agree to respect and maintain the policies outlined below that are required to ensure the safety of the Biola and SCMA community. This policy statement is a contract that binds both Student and Snyder School to terms.

If you do not comply with the terms of this contract, penalties (including but not limited to loss of studio & gear access, production participation, and financial responsibility for damages) may apply.

Snyder School Facilities Access

24-hour access to the Snyder School Building and Production Center is obtained by using your Biola Digital ID card at any of the proximity card readers. A record of all entries is kept. Access is granted each semester to Cinema & Media Arts students who read and sign this Snyder School Studio Manual.

The Snyder School facilities are highly demanded facilities so you must pick up after yourself and maintain equipment properly. The Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts reserves the right to assess a $75 cleanup fee for not returning a room to its proper configuration when you leave.

Do not prop any Snyder School Building or Production Center door open unless actively loading. You are responsible for anyone you admit into the Snyder School facilities and the safety of everyone in the building is compromised by unauthorized access.

The Convergent Newsroom lab and Photo Studio in the Production Center exist to support the Digital Journalism and Media students. Cinema and Media Arts students may be approved for use on a case-by-case basis. All other space in either the Snyder School Building or Production Center, unless taken by prior reservation, is available for students from SCMA.

Food and drink are allowed ONLY in the kitchen and lobby areas.

Sleeping is not allowed in any of the Snyder School facilities under any circumstances. Penalties for students sleeping in the buildings are as follows:

Please note that the Snyder School facilities are under regularly viewed video surveillance. Students will be held to the policies in the Undergraduate Student Handbook & Guide to University Policies while using the Snyder School facilities and conduct issues may be reported for disciplinary action.

Sound Stages

Stage 1, 2, and 3 can only be reserved by filling out a Studio Reservation Request Form. A cleaning deposit of $250 is required if you plan to build a set.

If Snyder School staff must clean the studio, workspace or remove your sets and materials, your production will be held financially responsible for the additional labor costs and the deposit will be forfeited. If an additional cleaning fee is assessed at the end of production it will be paid on the Production Center Payment Portal.

You are responsible for making your set safe. You may secure your set by screwing your set pieces to the “nailing strip” on the studio walls. Report equipment or facility problems immediately (especially if it may put the safety of others at risk) to the Studio Operations staff.

Sets can be assembled but initial construction must take place outside the Studio to avoid causing dust. Absolutely no dust-causing construction such as sawing, sanding, or spray painting is allowed in the studio.

Some sets are to remain in the studio and are not to be moved. If you are not sure, please consult the Director of Studio Operations. Students are prohibited from touching, adjusting, or entering another production’s set without explicit permission.

Sound Stage Packages & Policies

Green Room Policy

Please be aware that the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts maintains the rights to the Green Room and may hold it for university events even if a production has an approved reservation for Stage 1.

Reserving Edit Bays & Post Production Suites

Audio and video editing systems can be reserved through the online reservation calendar 25Live.

The Audio Mix suite is reserved for those who have passed the training given through the Advanced Gear Training Course. See Studio Operations staff for training.

Loss and Damage Deductible - $1,250

Your Loss and Damage deductible is applied toward loss or damage of equipment (both field and facility) when equipment is used according to the rules laid out in this Studio Manual. This deductible will be used toward the cost of repair/replacement. You agree to be financially responsible for lost, stolen or damaged equipment in your care, as follows: (a) If you have exercised proper care and followed all rules and procedures in this Manual, you shall be liable for up to $1,250 for any loss or damage incurred. (b) If the loss or damage is the result of your failure to exercise proper care, your failure to follow the rules and procedures in this manual, or any intentional act on your part, you shall be liable for the full value of the loss or damage incurred.

If the loss or damage is deemed excessive, you may lose all access privileges. Normal wear and tear does not qualify as “damage.” Please inform Studio Operations staff if items are damaged or missing.

The above fees will not be assessed unless there is an equipment infraction as denoted above. You will be notified by email of any infractions. This will give you a chance to respond, if you believe an error has been made, before you are required to pay.

Studio Light Grids

Students caught using unsafe studio practices will be removed from Snyder School Facility access.

Always plug and unplug any cable (electrical, XLR, patch cable, etc.) by grasping its connectors. Never pull by the cable or wire.

In the Snyder School facilities, approved receptacles for plugging in studio and field lighting are as follows:

1. Do not leave gear unattended in a sound stage. A two-week equipment checkout restriction will apply, at minimum.

2. 2000W max per dimmer / outlet.

3. Only plug in production lights into receptacles designed to handle the powerload. Do not plug production lights into standard wall sockets.

4. Lights with ballasts (LED lights, for example) must not be dimmed with the overhead dimmer packs.

5. Lights must be hung neatly on the grid or placed neatly on racks after use.

6. If anyone is found to be hanging restricted items on the grid, they will be banned from using any stage space in the Snyder School facilities indefinitely. No human being shall ever be permitted to be suspended from the grid; students will be immediately expelled from SCMA.

7. Safety cables must be used when hanging lights overhead.

8. Inspect ladders prior to use, and do not use if damaged.

9. Do not use equipment unfamiliar to you. Ask Studio Operations staff for training.

Equipment Checkout

Upon reading and signing the Snyder School Studio Manual, you will get a Cheqroom account created to checkout equipment from the Equipment Room (ER).

You will then be granted permission for free use of equipment to complete required projects for the Cinema & Media Arts production courses in which you are enrolled.

If you haven’t used Cheqroom yet, please watch the Cheqroom Overview video.

Generally, equipment reservations are available on a first come, first serve basis. Learning Projects are considered extracurricular and do not have the same priority as Class Projects.

All equipment reservations must have an approved Greenlight number. Reservations submitted without a Greenlight number will be cancelled.

Reservations are non-transferable. Equipment cannot be transferred to another person without first returning it to the Equipment Room. Consecutive reservations to extend equipment use is NOT allowed. You may make one modification to your reservation once placed.

The person who reserves equipment must pick up and return the equipment. The ER will not checkout or return equipment unless the student on the checkout form is present.

On very rare occasions, equipment problems or scheduling problems may make it necessary to “bump” you from a previously reserved time. This rarely happens, but if it does please accept it gracefully. We will do everything we can to accommodate your schedule if you reserve in advance.

You must sign and date the completed checkout form when picking up your gear from the Equipment Room. You are financially responsible for the equipment that is checked out to you.

Regular operating hours will be posted at the ER and on the Production Center website.

Do not ask ER employees to give you access when the ER is not open (unless approved off hours checkout has been granted). They are not permitted to do so. In this case, an “Off Hours Checkout“ request must be made through, and approved by, the Director of Studio Operations. See the “Off Hours” Checkout policy section for more information.

Note that ER student workers are NOT allowed to offer preferential treatment to fellow students and friends under any circumstance at the risk of reprimand and further action.

Learn how to use each piece of equipment properly before you attempt to use it. Studio Operation staff are happy to help teach best practices. Equipment must only be used for its intended purpose.

Advanced Equipment

Access to Advanced Equipment requires sophomore level classification and above, attendance at applicable in person or online training seminars (accessible through Canvas Course “Production Center Advanced Training”), and a passing grade on the related advanced equipment quiz. If you do not yet have access to our online Advanced Equipment Training offerings, please contact the Studio Operations staff.

Late Equipment Fee

A late fee will be billed to you if a late fine is incurred for returning equipment after the due date and time. Failure to pick up reserved equipment will also result in a late fee. The purpose of this fee is to provide an incentive to return equipment on time. Please see “Late Equipment Policy” below for additional details.

Late fines follow the sliding scale below:

Note that equipment restriction strikes apply for the remainder of the academic year. Also, failure to pick up reserved equipment without cancellation of reservation will result in a strike on the Late Equipment Policy above.

Late Equipment Policy

Failure to pick up reserved equipment will result in a late fine:

• First late return will result in a late fee billed by email and payable on the Production Center Payment Portal.

• Second late return will result in a 2-week restriction of equipment checkout.

• Third late return will result in equipment checkout restriction for the remainder of the academic year.

“Off Hours” Checkout Policy

Off hours checkouts at times other than normal ER operating hours may be arranged a minimum of seven days in advance. Off hours checkouts are usually reserved for advanced students and large projects. There is a surcharge of $40 for an off hours checkout. Off hours checkouts are also dependent on the schedules of Equipment Room Staff.

Equipment Returns

Equipment is due at the time written on your checkout form. There is no grace period for late returns. Be aware of when your equipment is due to avoid unwanted late fines. You are financially responsible for the equipment that is checked out to you.

If equipment is dirty or improperly packed a $50 fee may be assessed for cleaning/restocking. The checkout account will be disabled until the fee is paid.

You must return your own equipment. Do not leave it with anyone else. If you are unable to personally check out and check in equipment, you should not plan to use the equipment at that time. Do not leave any equipment by any of the ER doors; this does not count as a proper “check in.”

Equipment Room Access

Access to the ER is only allowed during normal business hours. Under no circumstances do you have access to the ER at other times.

If you are caught in the ER without authorization or are caught with equipment that was not officially checked out to you, the following penalties will apply:

1. You will be reported to Campus Safety. It will be treated as trespassing and burglary (if applicable), and a police report will be filed. Biola will press charges to the fullest extent possible as it is considered theft.

2. In addition to any sanctions enacted through the criminal justice system and through Biola, you will lose, at minimum, all access privileges for the rest of the current semester and for all of the following semester. Depending on the infraction, you could lose access permanently.

Equipment Security

You are financially responsible for all equipment checked out in your name once it leaves the ER.

When you are not using equipment, store it in a safe place. Your car is not a safe place. Student cars have been broken into and equipment has been stolen. The Production Center is open to many students 24 hours a day and is not a safe place to store equipment.

Beware of temperature-sensitive items, such as cameras, audio equipment, and meters in hot places. Tungsten lights and most grip equipment can stand heat just fine.

Take extreme caution at the beach. Sand and salt are enemies of cameras and other equipment.

Do not take equipment where it may become wet. If you drop a piece of equipment into water, especially salt water, it will almost certainly be ruined.

Do not take Biola equipment out of the United States without prior arrangement with the Director of Studio Operations and Biola University Risk Management. Equipment is not covered by insurance if taken out of the country and you will be financially liable for all loss and damage.

Equipment Failures

Equipment failures are a normal part of production life and they have a tendency to happen at the most inopportune times. Confirm that equipment is working before leaving the Equipment Room.

Here’s what to do in case of equipment failure:

1. Check to make sure that the equipment is in fact not working correctly. In many cases, equipment malfunction reports are “user error.” Carefully go over the instructions. Also, the online manual for the piece of equipment is priceless in helping you troubleshoot many basic problems.

2. If you are sure a piece of equipment does not function properly, notify ER or Studio Operations staff. Give as much detail as you can about what it did or did not do. If another piece of equipment is available, you may swap the non-working unit in the ER.

Under no circumstances are you allowed to repair a piece of equipment on your own.

Schedule of Fees

A hold will be placed on an equipment checkout account until outstanding fees are paid in full. If excessive or grossly negligent damage or loss takes place to Biola owned equipment a restriction for the remainder of the semester will be applied. Fees must be paid on the Production Center Payment Portal.

The Greenlight Process

The Greenlight Production Form is required of all student productions that intend on using Biola gear and/or facilities to ensure the safety of all participants within the scope of the project. There are 2 types of projects you will be able to choose from that each require unique information:

• Class Projects

• Learning Projects

As a student within Biola’s Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts , you will be required to adhere to specific stipulations outlined here in the Studio Manual as well as project based compliance requirements outlined by the SCMA Production Office before issuing Greenlight approval. Without agreement from the student to commit to those outlined stipulations and compliance policies, access to gear and permission to film will not be granted. The process of receiving a “Greenlight” may vary depending on the nature and scale of the project.

Class Projects

Throughout the course of your time as a SCMA student, you will be required to complete projects for classes that are aimed to exercise your filmmaking skills. These “Class Projects” are course requirements given to the student to complete each semester.

Learning Projects

The Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts encourages students to work on extra-curricular projects to develop their production skills. Learning projects are considered a second tier usage of equipment and “Class Projects” will be given priority.

Learning Projects can be approved if:

1. There is a reasonable educational purpose for the project.

2. It will not interfere with other students completing assignments.

3. There is no financial gain from the project.

On-Campus Locations

In order to utilize the campus as the canvas for your next film production, you are required to fill out an On-Campus Film Permit for each location you would like to use. These can be found online on the Snyder School website or in-person at the Snyder School office.

The Production Center and Stage 1 are the only locations on campus that do not require a permit for general production use unless the production desires to use prop weapons or stunts filming in the space – which will require a signature from the Director of Studio Operations in order to fulfill the Building Rep. approval for the On-Campus Permit.

Off-Campus Locations

For Productions seeking to film at an Off-Campus location, approval and permission must be granted from the legal property representative. The SCMA Production Office can help you with legal requirements necessary for off-campus film permits Your production will be responsible for any costs associated with permits, etc and will need to bring in payment to SCMA.

If you plan to record on public property (streets, parks, etc.) you will need a permit from the appropriate city or county agency. If your project requires traffic control or police officers on duty for safety reasons, you will be required to hire them and pay for them.

Do not film in dangerous places. If filming in remote areas, be aware of dangers such as getting lost, getting dehydrated, turning an ankle, etc. Make sure you are well prepared with a plan for any such dangers.

If the off-campus location does not have any specific legal or insurance requirements, you must have the legal property representative complete Biola’s Location Release Form which grants your production permission to film and use the space.

Beach / Desert Filming

For filming at any location with sand, the production must receive approval from the Dean of the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Art in order to ensure our gear and student crews will be treated respectfully.

Before filming in a location with sand, the following policies must be agreed to between the production leads and the SCMA Production Office:

1. No gear directly on the sand. If you are placing even a tripod down, then it must be on a towel/blanket to prevent direct contact.

2. Any lens swap must take place in an enclosed space, not exposed to the elements.

3. Do not place any open cases near the sand.

4. SCMA Equipment Room's Cleaning Fee is $50 per piece of gear that comes back dirty (ie. covered in sand) and that does not include the cost of damages should that occur.

Carpooling to Set

In order to ensure that individuals on a Biola production are transported in properly insured vehicles, Biola highly recommends that carpools take place in a University owned, leased, or rented vehicle, or in a chartered bus. All drivers must be cleared to drive prior to driving a University owned, leased, or rented vehicle as well as any personal vehicles. No one may be required to participate in a carpool either as a driver or as a rider. Since the only auto insurance available to a driver or rider is the auto insurance on any given non-owned (personally owned) vehicle, drivers and riders must be comfortable with the limits of coverage on any given vehicle before agreeing to participate in a carpool. Carpooling presents a situation where Biola’s students, staff, and faculty may be transported in an underinsured or even an uninsured vehicle. In California, auto insurance follows the vehicle and the vehicle owner, meaning that Biola cannot transfer its auto insurance to a personally owned vehicle. Additionally, medical coverage for passengers is both limited and optional. Those who participate in carpools are subject to the vehicle's individual insurance limits and Biola's insurance cannot replace or supplement an individual's personal auto insurance. You acknowledge that you are responsible for your own transportation.

Cast & Crew

Each member of the production will be required to sign a Volunteer Form for each project. You are responsible for providing a complete cast/crew list that includes each name, cast/crew position, and email.

If you need to replace a member of the Cast or Crew close to or during production you are required to notify the SCMA Production Office as soon as possible. Once you have acquired a replacement, this new hire is required to sign a Volunteer Form and production must notify the SCMA Office of their form completion. No one is allowed to participate or work on your production without having signed a Volunteer Form.

Any members of your cast or crew that are going to be paid (such as a studio teacher or SAG-AFTRA actor) must be hired as a temporary employee through Biola University. Notify the SCMA Production Office as soon as possible if any cast or crew will need to be hired as the process can take up to a month to complete. Your production will also be responsible for all costs and must bring in payment to the SCMA Production Office before your project will be “greenlit”. Paid cast/crew will receive a Biola email and timecard, which the production team must help them manage to ensure proper payment.

Child Actors / Working with Minors

Filming with minors at Biola University requires strict adherence to California labor laws, including the mandatory presence of a studio teacher on set. Every minor must possess a valid individual work permit, which must be submitted to the SCMA Production Office before your project can be “greenlit”. Additionally, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child at all times.

Moving Vehicles

The Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts does not allow for the use of moving motor vehicles for filming purposes.

Filming with Fire & Water

No fire of any kind is allowed on any Biola Production.

Do not use explosives or anything to simulate explosions (such as compressed air), which cause things (such as rocks, dirt, dust, etc.) to fly through the air.

Biola does not allow the use of fog machines inside Biola facilities.

Cigarettes, including prop cigarettes, are not allowed on Biola’s campus at any time.

The use of water effects (such as rain machines, hoses, sprinklers, showers, etc.) or filming near water must receive specific approval. If any member of the production (cast and/or crew) submerges themselves into the water, a certified lifeguard is required to be on set.

Prop Weapons

The Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts forbids the use of any actual weapon on any Biola Production. This includes any prop gun that can or has at one point had firing capacities (ie. air soft, nerf, water, BB, etc) or any type of blade. Do not attempt to use squibs to simulate gunfire.

All prop weapons must be approved in advance by the SCMA Production Office and any prop weapon used on Biola’s campus must be approved in writing by Campus Safety. At no point should any prop weapon be stored on Biola University’s Campus. There is a zero tolerance policy for unauthorized prop weapons on campus and violations will be subject to immediate disciplinary action.

When using an approved prop weapon on a Biola Production, the following safety guidelines must be enforced:

1. All prop weapon usage must be in an enclosed space.

2. During filming, “FILMING IN PROGRESS” signs must be posted around the perimeter of the set to help alert the public who may have access to your space about the activities in progress.

3. On Biola’s Campus, prop guns may only be used inside the Production Center soundstages with written approval from Campus Safety via the On-Campus Film Permit.

4. Off Campus, prop guns must be approved after inspection by the SCMA Production Office at a predetermined off-campus location. Your production will be responsible for the cost of any travel to inspect the prop weapon.

5. All prop guns must have a permanent orange tip on the muzzle of the gun and be rented from a legitimate prop rental house.

6. A member of the crew must be designated as the Weapons Handler, whose sole responsibility is to supervise and maintain prop weapon safety on set. This individual and the approved actor using the weapon are the only people allowed to use the approved prop weapon. Once the weapons are no longer needed on set, they must be removed from public sight and stored in a remote and locked location off set.

Stunts & Stunt Coordination

The Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts defines a stunt as any high risk action - including but not limited to falls, physical altercations, or coordinated movement. All stunts require Pre-Viz/Storyboards and potentially Stunt Coordinator oversight to ensure cast and crew safety.

Hiring a professional Stunt Coordinator may be required depending upon the particular scale and scope of the stunts you are attempting to perform in your story.

Accident Response

In the event that an accident and/or injury occurs on set, you are required to report it to the SCMA Production Office who will work with you to fill out an Incident Report Form to notify Risk Management.

If an emergency takes place while filming on campus, call the Campus Safety emergency line: 562-777-4000

If an emergency takes place while filming off campus, the paramedics and/or police are to be contacted immediately directly by dialing 911.

Student Responsibilities & Consequences

As a Biola student participating in any production, you are responsible for complying with Biola University's Standards of Conduct, applicable Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts policies, including this Studio Manual, and the requirements of the Greenlight Production Agreement. You are responsible for your own conduct and for fulfilling the responsibilities assigned to you in connection with any production.

Violations of applicable policies, production requirements, or material misrepresentations may result in consequences including loss or restriction of equipment privileges, facility access, or participation in productions. Serious or repeated violations may also be referred for disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the Snyder School, in accordance with applicable University policies and procedures.

Legal Issues

SCMA students are responsible for all charges associated with the media production.

If Biola University insurance policies are used to insure the film’s activities and rentals, then Biola University must own the copyright and all distribution rights to the product.

A student or staff person cannot sign contracts obligating Biola University. Contracts must be submitted to the SCMA Production Office at least one month prior to the start of the film project to provide adequate time for processing and approval from Biola Legal.

Providing proof of Liability Insurance to an organization involves obtaining an insurance certificate. (“Additional insured” means that the other entity is being added to our policy coverage). Please reach out to the SCMA Production Office to begin the process of requesting a Certificate of Insurance.

If your film project is renting equipment from a third party vendor, the SCMA Production Office will need to have the full replacement value information so that your rental is added to Biola’s insurance policy. You must provide a written list of all equipment to be rented with the replacement value for each piece of equipment.

Use of Copyrighted Material

You may not use copyrighted material in any production without permission of the copyright holder. To do so is a violation of law.

You are not allowed to store any copyrighted material without permission on Biola’s computer network.

For background music or soundtracks, Biola subscribes to music libraries for which we have paid a license fee. You may use this library free of charge for any class project or other project owned by Biola. If you would like more information on music and SFX libraries available to you for student projects please visit our Services & Resources page. We are not licensed to allow you to use library music in productions that you personally own or those from which a profit is made.

You may use music which you personally own (because you wrote it and recorded it) or which a friend or acquaintance owns and gives you permission (in writing) to use. If you receive permission to use someone else’s music, be sure you get permission on paper. Turn in a copy of your permission letter with the assignment. For your convenience, a sample Music License Form is available in the Forms section of this site.

By allowing your script to be produced as a student project you are giving Biola University permission to use your material. If you don’t want to allow Biola to use the material you wrote, do not permit it to be produced using Biola equipment or facilities.

Privacy

Do not use recognizable images of people without their permission. This violates privacy laws. You may record a large group of people in a public place (people in chapel or walking across campus, for example), but don’t use close ups of people without their permission in writing.

Copyright Notice

In order to demonstrate good faith with our non-profit status, all creative content made with free use of Biola equipment and facilities, must bear the copyright notice: “Copyright [year] Biola University.” Since you do not own the copyright, you may not make copies and sell them, put them on the Internet or distribute them in any way without permission from the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts of Biola University. You may make copies of projects for yourself for personal use, to use in a résumé reel and for other non-commercial aspects. Biola’s equipment insurance covers non-profit use only.

Financial Gain from Productions

Under IRS law it is illegal for anyone to personally profit financially from using facilities and equipment belonging to a nonprofit organization unless they have paid a fair, market value rental fee for the use of the facilities. This means as long as you are using the facilities for educational purposes you are safe. If you attempt to use facilities or equipment for commercial purposes you are violating our non-profit status and have broken the law.

Students and faculty are not allowed to produce commercial content using Biola’s equipment for free, and receive money as a result. Therefore, if you create content using Biola’s equipment or facilities without paying for its use, the content becomes the property of Biola and any money from its sale belongs to Biola. This can be as simple as checking out a camera to record a friend’s sporting event, or shooting wedding photography with compensation.

Fund Raising

Under no circumstances are you allowed to make Biola responsible for costs involved in a production.

If Biola receives a gift for expenses toward producing a student media or film project, the disbursement of that money will be subject to all of Biola’s accounting procedures, as required by law. That is, Biola cannot give you the money, even though you, your family or friends may have donated it. The donated money now belongs to Biola. You will only be reimbursed for reasonable expenses associated with your production. This means you will need to keep receipts for anything you spend and for which you wish to be reimbursed. If the reimbursement is for food, all who participated in the meal must be listed with Biola ID numbers if applicable. Both the itemized and charge receipt must be included. Before spending money on a project, it would be best to check with the SCMA Production Office as to whether or not it is reimbursable. Any money donated must be spent by the end of the fiscal year (Biola University’s fiscal year starts in July).

Of course, you are welcome to raise money entirely apart from Biola. If you choose to raise money apart from Biola, you may not mention "Biola" or use Biola's logo. "I am a student in southern California working on a film project" is as specific as you may be. Anything you receive from crowdfunding will be your personal income that you will have to report on your own taxes, so it must be clear that any transactions are not donations.

General Set Safety

These are just a few safety guidelines that should be observed to form the habit of good set safety practices for production. It is your responsibility to uphold and promote the safety of all on and off set.

Ladders

• Avoid standing on the top step or the second step down.

• Keep your body weight centered; do not overreach to either side to prevent falls.

• Check the ladder before climbing. Never use a rickety, shaky, or broken ladder. Mark defective ladders with a "Do Not Use" tag and notify Studio Operations staff immediately.

• Wear rubber-soled shoes—avoid leather soles and high heels.

• Have someone hold the ladder securely while you climb whenever possible.

• Extension Ladders: Place the base on solid ground and ensure it cannot slip or slide outward.

• Electrical Hazards: Keep aluminum ladders away from electrical lines, as aluminum conducts electricity and can cause fatal shocks.

Electrical

Electric shock can kill you. Be very careful in using electricity.

• Always wear rubber-soled shoes when working with electricity to prevent creating a pathway to the ground through your body.

• Always ensure electrical equipment is grounded (unless battery-operated) and plugged into compatible grounded outlets. Never use ungrounded wiring or tools with a missing grounding prong.

• Only a qualified electrician may "tie in" to a power system. Doing so improperly can be lethal to you and others.

• Use extension cords with intact grounding prongs and inspect them before use.

• Damaged Equipment: Do not use worn cords, exposed wiring, or defective equipment. Tie a knot at the damaged spot on a cord and return it (or missing-prong items) to the ER for repair or replacement.

• Keep electrical equipment completely dry. If equipment gets wet, let it dry thoroughly before powering it on. In rainy conditions outdoors, unplug equipment immediately before covering or moving it to shelter.

• Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) extension cord when working near pools, standing water, or damp soil/grass to automatically cut power in a bad ground situation.

• If a light or device falls into water, unplug the power cord first before reaching for it.

• Preventing Ground Paths: Never touch electrical equipment while simultaneously touching a ground source (such as a water faucet, pipe, or second plugged-in device). Avoid touching plugged-in items barefoot on wet floors or bare ground.

• Stay far away from Downed Power Lines — ground near the wire can carry lethal voltage. Do not touch or attempt to move a person in contact with a line; call 911 immediately.

• Household Power Outlets: Kitchens and laundry rooms have the highest concentration of power, with heavy appliances (refrigerator, microwave, washer) often on separate circuits—making them ideal for powering lights. Bedrooms, by contrast, may all share a single circuit.

• Calculating Load Capacity: Determine total available wattage using the formula: Volts×Amps=Watts

• A typical 15-amp, 120-volt circuit supports 1,800 watts (or ~1,850W peak).

• A 20-amp, 120-volt circuit supports 2,400 watts.

• Circuit Breaker Limits: Most residential breakers trip at 80% capacity. Factor in other plugged-in equipment and leave a safety margin to avoid overloading circuits.

Burns

• Lights get extremely hot—always wear gloves to adjust barn doors or change bulbs. Never touch hot parts with bare hands.

• Always unplug the light fixture before changing a bulb.

• Attach gels only to the outer edges of barn doors, as they are the only areas cool enough to prevent melting.

• Cool burns immediately with cool (not cold) water and seek prompt medical attention for severe burns.

Fire

• Small, open-faced location lights pose the greatest fire hazard on set, so keep them far away from flammable materials like drapes and ceilings.

Tripping

• Never step on cables, as doing so damages the internal wiring.

• Lay out all cables neatly and secure them with gaffer tape or rubber mats in traffic areas—especially in public spaces—to eliminate trip hazards.

• Run power cords straight down from the light to the ground before extending them flat across the floor—diagonal cords create trip hazards that can pull stands over.

Booms for Microphone or Camera

• Spatial Awareness: Look around carefully before and while operating a boom to avoid hitting people in its path.

• Electrical Safety: Keep large booms completely clear of overhead electrical wires, as touching them is a major, potentially fatal hazard in film production.

Falling Hazards

• Never use rigging to support people or suspend heavy equipment (like lights) above individuals. Always secure studio lights with safety chains.

• Use sandbags to weigh down lighting stands and C-stands to prevent them from tipping over and causing damage.

• If you are using reflectors on a windy day, you will probably need to station a grip at each reflector.

Lifting

• Squat beside heavy ground objects rather than bending over, using your leg muscles instead of your back to lift.

• Improper lifting techniques can cause permanent back injury.

• Ask for help with heavy loads to avoid straining your back.

Sign Agreement