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Private Film Shoots

Any film maker (professional, amateur or student), ad agency, production company, or other commercial entity wishing to film at Eastern State Penitentiary is required to make reservations two weeks in advance, provide a Certificate of Insurance and sign our Site Rental Agreement.

Price

The price is $25 per person per hour for single day shoots of up to 15 people. This per person fee applies to each person present (models, photographers, assistants etc.). There is a minimum charge of $125/hour (five people).

Please call for pricing for multiday shoots or shoots of more than 16 people.

Insurance

A certificate of insurance in the amount of $1,000,000, naming “Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc” and “City of Philadelphia” additionally insured is required for all film and photo shoots. The Certificate of Insurance requirement is waived for groups of five or fewer.

Available Spaces

To see the areas of the Penitentiary available for film shoots please download our Film & Photo Shoot Availability Map. It is strongly recommend that, when possible, film makers scout the site before the shoot to determine what spaces they would like to shoot in. The Site Rental Agreement will list the specific spaces the film maker(s) is permitted to shoot in during the rental.

Sample Site Rental Agreement - Film & Photo Shoots

The following is a location rental agreement between Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. (ESPHS) and:
[ Contact Name ]
[ Address ]
[ Phone ]
[ Email ]

Eastern State Penitentiary is a National Historic Landmark, and care for its preservation is a primary focus of all activity on the property. This protocol will help insure the safety of the workers and property during work at the site.

  1. A single member of [ Contact Name ] will be responsible for making these this protocol understood by the crew, and enforcing it. That person will be the primary contact for Eastern State staff during the site rental. Copies of this agreement will be given by the supervisor to all staff on the work crew.
  2. A location fee of [ $XXXX.XX ] will be paid to Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. prior to beginning any activity on site.
    • This rental fee is for up to [ number ] participants. In addition, to the participants, [ Contact Name ] may bring up to seven (7) staff members at no additional charge. Additional persons will be billed at $100/person.
    • Fees listed above are for the rental of the penitentiary from [ start time ] to [ end time ] on [ date ]. Additional time will be billed at $250/quarter hour.
  3. A certificate of insurance in the amount of $1,000,000, naming "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc" and "City of Philadelphia" additionally insured is required. In addition, any entity that comes on the premises must also provide ESPHS a certificate naming "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc" and "City of Philadelphia" additionally insured. In addition, any catering company serving alcohol must provide a certificate showing liquor liability as well as General Liability and naming "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc" and "City of Philadelphia" additionally insured.
  4. [ Contact Name ] will contract directly with Prodigal Security to provide [ number ] security officers from [ start time ] to [ end time ] on [ date ]. [ Contact Name ] will pay this firm directly for all services.
  5. [ Contact Name ] will have access to the following approved areas of the penitentiary at the times listed below:
    • [ Specific areas will be listed ]
  6. All work at Eastern State must be completely reversible. The crew may not nail into/ damage any existing materials or structure without approval from the historic site staff and City of Philadelphia Historical Commission. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to:
    • Nailing or driving screws into any surface.
    • Placing tape on any painted surface.
    • Painting (intentionally or unintentionally) any surface.
    • All tents must be weighted. Staking into the ground is not permitted.
  7. Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the property, including exterior spaces within the complex. All members of the [ Contact Name ] must leave the property to smoke.
  8. The door to the outside locked or staffed at all times. Do not leave the door to the street unlocked and unattended. No exceptions.
  9. Anyone entering the property must sign a waiver.
  10. Guest and contractors may not wander outside work areas.
  11. Guest and contractors may not bring guests onto the property without prior permission.
  12. Contractors must store all flammable material (gasoline, etc.) outside building.
  13. Guest and contractors may not remove any materials from the Historic Site that was not brought in by the contractor, including “trash,” rubble, artifacts, or souvenirs.
  14. There can be no semi-nudity (including underwear/lingerie/swimsuit modeling photos), nudity or sexually explicit images filmed at Eastern State Penitentiary.
  15. Eastern State Penitentiary's exhibits and art installations may not be filmed or photographed without prior approval from ESPHS.
  16. [ Company Name ] may obtain photos and/or logos from ESPHS’ Marketing Department for use on promotional materials; however, any marketing materials using an ESPHS owned photo or logo must be approved my ESPHS in writing prior to distribution.
  17. [ Company Name ] may solicit their own press coverage of the shoot; however, all releases of any kind (press releases, media alerts etc.) must be approved by ESPHS in writing prior to distribution.
  18. A signed copy of this protocol, along with a copy of the certificate of insurance (details listed above) are required by [ date ].
  19. [ Company Name ] may not announce or otherwise promote this event to the public until a signed copy of this protocol is returned to ESPHS.

    __________________________________________ _________________
    Title / Company
    __________________________________________ _________________
    Signature / Date
    __________________________________________ _________________
    Brett Bertolino, Director of Operations, ESPHS / Date

    If you have question or are ready to schedule a shoot, please contact Rosalie Lidard, Group Tour & Administrative Assistant, at rl@EasternState.org or (215) 236 - 5111 x10.