Interview & Filming Policies

NYU Langone Health welcomes all media opportunities and requests. Our interview and filming policies help to ensure the privacy and safety of our patients and to protect the interests and reputation of NYU Langone.

A member of the media includes anyone engaged in the acquisition of news with the intent of disseminating it through legitimate and recognized mediums. Recognized mediums used to disseminate news and information include TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, books, documentary film/video productions, the internet, and various wireless delivery formats. Also included, but not limited to, are those supporting the press, including camera crews, set-up crews, lighting crews, makeup artists, and photographers.

Learn more about our interview and filming policies below.

Media Requests for Patient Information

NYU Langone is committed to ensuring the privacy and safety of our patients, and this policy governs when a member of the media requests information about a patient.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is ensure the privacy and safety of our patients and comply with local, state, and federal laws relating to patient privacy as well as to ensure that if patient information is provided to the media, it is consistent with all other existing or future medical center policies.

Guidelines

The following guidelines will apply to all NYU Langone faculty and staff and to all members of the media engaged in the acquisition of news with the intent of disseminating it through legitimate and recognized mediums requesting information about a patient:

  • Requests for patient information by a representative of the media must be made through the Office of Communications and Marketing by calling the Office of Communications and Marketing Monday through Friday between 9:00AM and 5:30PM at 212-404-3555. Requests may also be made via email to news@nyulangone.org. After-hours and weekend requests should also be directed to 212-404-3500. A recorded message will give the phone number of the public relations manager on duty.
  • General patient condition information may only be provided by the Office of Communications and Marketing, and then only within the limitations imposed by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA generally requires the patient or their personal representative to consent to disclosures. In order to obtain this information, a patient name is required. Medical conditions will be reported as follows: Good, Fair, Serious, Critical, or Undetermined. Stable is not a condition and should only be used to clarify a condition (e.g., patient is critical but vital signs are stable). In event of a large-scale disaster, we will attempt to provide non-specific information about patients brought to NYU Langone. The American Hospital Association recommends the following one-word descriptions of a patient's general condition: Undetermined: Patient awaiting physician assessment. Good: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are excellent. Fair: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable. Serious: Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill. Indicators are questionable. Critical: Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable. Treated and released: Received treatment but not admitted. Treated and transferred: Received treatment. Transferred to a different facility. A patient name is required. Release of detailed information or information about minors requires written consent of the parent, guardian, or legal representative.
  • NYU Langone’s privacy obligations do not end with a patient’s death. The same privacy rules apply after a patient has died. If consent has been obtained and the next of kin has been notified, NYU Langone may disclose that a patient is “deceased.” However, NYU Langone may not provide any information about the death, including date, time, or cause.
  • Federal and state statutes place additional restrictions on psychiatric patients, those who are HIV positive and those who are undergoing treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. NYU Langone may not disclose any information concerning a patient who is undergoing treatment for these conditions, including any information about their presence at the medical center.
  • Law enforcement officials, Administration for Child Services, and parents or guardians may ask that no information be released about a child. In such cases, communications officials cannot confirm or deny that a no-information patient is located at our facility, nor can we provide condition reports.
  • Patient privacy rules apply even though information may be a matter of public record or public knowledge. Without express written consent by the patient or guardian, NYU Langone may not disclose protected health information to the media even though the same information may be found in public records or has been reported elsewhere.
  • HIPAA generally requires the patient or their personal representative to consent to disclosures. In emergency situations, the hospital may not be able to obtain the patient’s consent because the patient is unconscious or incapable of giving consent. Accordingly, NYU Langone may not be able to disclose any information to the media in the immediate aftermath of an emergency because there has not been time to obtain the consent from the patient or the patient’s representative.

Media Requests for Interviews, Filming, or Photography

This policy governs when a member of the media will be granted permission to interview or film, videotape, or photograph any NYU Langone faculty or staff, on its campus or in any NYU Langone facility.

NYU Langone’s permission is required to conduct media interviews, or film, videotape, film, or photograph any NYU Langone faculty or staff, on its campus, or in any NYU Langone facility. NYU Langone will consider reasonable requests for news-related, non-commercial interviews and shooting but reserves the right to deny permission if, for any reason, NYU Langone deems that the request is not in the best interest of NYU Langone or its patients.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the privacy and safety of our patients and to protect the interests and reputation of NYU Langone Health, as well as to ensure if permission is granted, any interview, filming, videotaping, or photography is consistent with all other existing or future NYU Langone policies.

Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to all members of the media engaged in the acquisition of news with the intent of disseminating it through legitimate and recognized mediums requesting permission to conduct an interview, film, videotape, or photograph any NYU Langone faculty or staff or patient or in any NYU Langone facility:

  • Requests for permission to conduct an interview, film, videotape, or photograph must be made through the Office of Communications and Marketing by calling the Office of Communications and Marketing Monday through Friday between 9:00AM and 5:30PM at 212-404-3555. Requests may also be made via email to news@nyulangone.org. After-hours and weekend requests should also be directed to 212-404-3500. A recorded message will give the phone number of the public relations manager on duty.
  • Requests for permission to conduct an interview, film, videotape, or photograph must be made at least five (5) business days before proposed interview, filming, videotaping, or photographing. In the case of breaking news where a five (5) day lead time is not feasible, requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Requests for permission to conduct an interview, film, videotape, or photograph made directly to the subject of the interview, film, videotape, or photograph are in violation of these guidelines and will not be honored.
  • Requests for permission to conduct an interview, film, videotape, or photograph that involve a patient, or personal health information about a patient:
    • require a signed HIPAA consent form from the patient or their legal guardian, or in the case of a minor, a signed HIPAA consent from a parent or guardian, through the Office of Communications and Marketing; and
    • approval from the patient’s physician that the patient’s condition or interest will not be jeopardized as a result of the interview, film, videotape, or photography.
  • Members of the media:
    • with signs or symptoms of a communicable disease(s) or who have tested positive for tuberculosis in the past year are prohibited from entering NYU Langone ORs and/or patient care areas. Communicable (infectious) diseases include those that can be transmitted from person-to-person by the respiratory route (e.g., during coughing, sneezing, talking) or by casual contact. Such diseases include, but are not limited to: tuberculosis, influenza, pertussis (“whooping cough”), chickenpox, and measles. Symptoms of communicable diseases include fever, chills, night sweats, cough, sore throat, runny nose, conjunctivitis (“pink eye”), vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash that is either known to be infectious or of an unknown/undiagnosed cause.
    • who do not knowingly have a communicable disease(s) and who are free of signs and symptoms of communicable diseases are required to read and to sign a Medical Attestation Form verifying that they understand these restrictions and validating that they are without signs or symptoms of communicable disease at the time of their visit. Members of the media who refuse to read and sign the Medical Screening Attestation Form are prohibited from NYU Langone ORs and/or patient care areas.
  • Members of the media must be accompanied at all times in any NYU Langone facility by a member of the NYU Langone Office of Communications and Marketing staff.
  • NYU Langone reserves the right to refuse to grant permission for any reason, including but not limited to potential disruption of patient care, research, or student activities; damage to, or alteration of, medical center property; disruption of traffic or parking; or potential safety hazards, or if NYU Langone deems that the request is not in the best interests of NYU Langone or its patients.
  • Members of the media in violation of this policy will be prohibited from entering NYU Langone and required to leave NYU Langone.

Media Requests for Filming or Photography for Commercial or Entertainment Purposes

From time to time, NYU Langone permits filming or photography for commercial or entertainment purposes by legitimate agencies or production companies to be conducted at its facilities. Examples of filming or photography for commercial or entertainment purposes include, but are not limited to: print or broadcast advertising commercials and movies.

NYU Langone’s permission is required to conduct filming or photography for commercial or entertainment purposes on its campus or in any NYU Langone facility. NYU Langone will consider reasonable requests for filming or photography for commercial or entertainment purposes but reserves the right to a) charge for such use, b) require compliance with the guidelines below, and c) deny permission if, for any reason, the medical center deems that the request is not in the best interest of NYU Langone or its patients.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to protect the reputation of the NYU Langone Health brand and ensure the privacy and safety of our patients, as well as to ensure that if permission is granted to film or photograph in NYU Langone facilities for entertainment or commercial purposes the filming and photography is consistent with all other existing or future NYU Langone policies.

Guidelines

The following guidelines will apply to all requests for filming or photography at NYU Langone facilities for entertainment or commercial purposes:

  • Requests for permission to film or photograph at NYU Langone facilities for entertainment or commercial purposes must be submitted to the Office of Communications and Marketing. They can be reached Monday through Friday between 9:00AM and 5:30PM at 212-404-3555. Requests may also be made via email to news@nyulangone.org.
  • Requests for permission to film or photograph at NYU Langone facilities for entertainment or commercial purposes must be made at least 10 business days before proposed filming or photography would occur. NYU Langone, at its discretion, may require information including, but not limited to, date, duration and hours of filming, number of people involved, and copy of final script in order to assess the feasibility of the request.
  • NYU Langone reserves the right to refuse to grant permission to film or photograph at NYU Langone facilities for commercial or entertainment purposes for any reason, including but not limited to potential disruption of patient care, research, or student activities; damage to, or alteration of, NYU Langone property; disruption of traffic or parking; or potential safety hazards; or if NYU Langone deems such request not in the best interest of NYU Langone or its patients.
  • If permission to film or photograph at NYU Langone for entertainment or commercial purposes is granted:
    • Requesting organization must sign an NYU Langone film location agreement prior to the start of any filming or photography;
    • A copy of the final script or storyboard must be submitted for approval prior to signing the Film Location Agreement;
    • A Certificate of Insurance naming NYU Langone, officers, employees, and agents as additional insured for the days of the shoot must be provided at least 24 hours prior to the shoot. Proof of comprehensive general liability insurance, including personal injury and property damage, must also be included. The General Liability Insurance must come with a limit not less than $5 million and Workers Compensation Insurance must be set to New York statutory limits. Automobile Insurance with a limit not less than $1 million combined single limit must be secured for any vehicles used in conjunction with the production. The film-maker must provide evidence that they have secured the appropriate permits from New York City.
    • Most areas of NYU Langone may be used for filming. However, any specific location is available on a case-by-case basis and must be approved prior to filming.
    • Prior to filming, and at a minimum of ten days prior to the desired date of filming or photography, a representative of the production company must walk through the desired locations with a representative of the Office of Communications.
    • NYU Langone reserves the right to assign at its discretion staff to assist said production company when issues relating to safety may apply and charge the company for those services, e.g., No production company electrician may plug into the medical center’s power unless supervised by a house electrician who will stay with the production company for the duration of the shoot.
    • NYU Langone reserves the right to charge a fee for the use of its facilities for filming or photography for commercial or entertainment purposes and the associated fees are due in full on the day before the filming or photography begins.
    • Permission to film does not include a license to use the NYU Langone name or the name of any of its constituent entities. No mention is to be made of, or recognition given to, NYU Langone or any of its entities unless specifically authorized by the Office of Communications and Marketing.
    • Additional expenses associated with the filming or photography will be the responsibility of the requesting agency or production company.
    • When working around or shooting within a hospital environment, the agency or production company will be expected to take appropriate precautions to ensure that filming does not interfere with hospital operations and patient care. In the event NYU Langone staff, assisting with the production, are called away to assist with a patient care emergency during production, NYU Langone will not be liable for any cost associated with the delay in production.
    • Members of the agency or production company:
      • with signs or symptoms of a communicable disease(s) or who have tested positive for tuberculosis in the past year are prohibited from entering NYU Langone ORs and/or patient care areas. Communicable (infectious) diseases include those that can be transmitted from person-to-person by the respiratory route (e.g., during coughing, sneezing, talking) or by casual contact. Such diseases include, but are not limited to: tuberculosis, influenza, pertussis (“whooping cough”), chickenpox, and measles. Symptoms of communicable diseases include fever, chills, night sweats, cough, sore throat, runny nose, conjunctivitis (“pink eye”), vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash that is either known to be infectious or of an unknown/undiagnosed cause.
      • who do not knowingly have a communicable disease(s) and who are free of signs and symptoms of communicable diseases are required to read and to sign a Medical Attestation Form verifying that they understand these restrictions and validating that they are without signs or symptoms of communicable disease at the time of their visit. Members of the media who refuse to read and sign the Medical Screening Attestation Form are prohibited from NYU Langone ORs and/or patient care areas.
  • Members of the agency or production company must be accompanied at all times while on campus or in any NYU Langone facility by a member of the NYU Langone Office of Communications and Marketing staff.

Patient Requests to Film, Photograph, or Publicize

This policy governs requests from patients to film, videotape, photograph, or otherwise publicize or have filmed, videotaped, or photographed any medical service or treatment they receive while at NYU Langone for personal or professional reasons.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the privacy and safety of our patients, and protect the interests and reputation of NYU Langone, as well as to ensure compliance with all other existing or future medical center policies.

Guidelines

The following guidelines will apply to all requests from patients to film, videotape, photograph, or otherwise publicize or have filmed, videotaped, or photographed, any medical service or treatment they receive while at NYU Langone for personal or professional reasons:

  • Patients are prohibited from filming, or having filmed, any medical service or treatment they receive while at NYU Langone for personal or professional reasons.
  • Patients are prohibited from inviting representatives of the media to visit them while they are at NYU Langone for purposes of publicity without the express permission of the Office of Communications and Marketing. All such requests must be directed to the Office of Communications and Marketing consistent with the requirements of MEDIA POLICY #1 Media Requests for Interviews, Filming, Videotaping or Photography on the NYU Langone campus. As set forth in that policy, NYU Langone will consider reasonable requests for news-related, non-commercial interviews and shooting but reserves the right to deny permission if, for any reason, NYU Langone deems that the request is not in the best interest of NYU Langone or its patients.
  • Patients are also prohibited from holding a press conference, or inviting representatives of the media to a press conference, at NYU Langone without the express permission of the Office of Communications and Marketing. NYU Langone may consider such requests and all such requests must be directed to the Office of Communications and Marketing consistent with the requirements of MEDIA POLICY #1 Media Requests for Interviews, Filming, Videotaping or Photography on NYU Langone's campus. As set forth in that policy, NYU Langone reserves the right to deny permission if, for any reason, NYU Langone deems that the request is not in the best interest of NYU Langone or its patients.