Location Agreement for a Church, School or Parish Property

Template only. Adapt to your production and have a lawyer review before use.

Location Agreement: Church, School or Parish Property

Owner: [PARISH / SCHOOL / RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY LEGAL NAME], [ADDRESS] ("Owner"), acting through [NAME], [PASTOR / ADMINISTRATOR / PRINCIPAL / SUPERIOR], who confirms that he or she is authorized to sign for Owner
Producer: [PRODUCTION COMPANY], [ADDRESS] ("Producer")
Production: [WORKING TITLE] (the "Picture")
Property: [NAME OF CHURCH / SCHOOL / HALL], [ADDRESS] (the "Property")

Ask the pastor early who else has to say yes: many dioceses and religious orders require their own approval before filming on church property.

Terms

1. Permission. Owner allows Producer and its cast, crew, equipment and vehicles to enter and use the Property to prepare, film, record and wrap the Picture on the dates below, and to use the Property's name, exterior and interior appearance in the Picture and its promotion as described in clause 8.
2. Dates and hours. Prep: [DATES / HOURS]. Filming: [DATES / HOURS]. Wrap and restoration: [DATES / HOURS]. Other hours require Owner's written approval. Producer will confirm the final schedule at least [NUMBER] days in advance.
3. Areas included. [LIST: NAVE, CHOIR LOFT, NARTHEX, PARISH HALL, CLASSROOMS, PARKING LOT, GROUNDS, RECTORY EXTERIOR ONLY, ETC.]
4. Areas excluded. Unless listed in clause 3 and expressly approved in writing, the following are off limits: the sanctuary (the area around the altar), the tabernacle and its surroundings, the sacristy, confessionals, the interiors of the rectory and convent, and [OTHER]. No equipment, cable, prop or person will be placed on or against the altar, ambo, baptismal font or tabernacle.
5. Respect for the sacred space. Producer acknowledges that the church is a consecrated place. Cast and crew will behave accordingly: no food, drink, smoking or vaping inside the church; quiet in the church at all times; modest dress; no use of the altar, tabernacle or sacred vessels as set pieces; no staging of sacraments or rites in a way Owner considers irreverent. Owner may require the tabernacle area to be screened off during filming.
6. Liturgy takes precedence. No filming during Mass, confessions, adoration, funerals, weddings, baptisms or any other scheduled liturgy or devotion. Owner will provide the parish schedule for the filming period; Producer will build the shooting schedule around it. A funeral or emergency pastoral need may interrupt filming without liability to Owner.
7. Clergy or pastoral consultant. [OPTIONAL] Owner designates [NAME] as point of contact and consultant on liturgical accuracy and appropriate use of the space, available [ON SET / BY PHONE] during filming. Producer will follow the consultant's direction on anything touching the sacred areas or the depiction of rites. [DESCRIBE ANY STIPEND OR CREDIT.]
8. Depiction of the parish. [CHOOSE ONE] Producer may / may not identify the Property by its real name. Producer will not portray the Property, its parish or its clergy in a way that is knowingly false or that suggests they endorse the Picture.
9. Condition, restoration and damage. Producer will document the condition of each area before and after use. Producer will leave the Property as it was found and will pay to repair or replace anything damaged, lost or stolen because of the production. Any change to the Property (moving statues or pews, rigging to the structure, painting) needs Owner's advance written permission.
10. Insurance. Before load-in Producer will deliver a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage of at least $[AMOUNT] per occurrence, naming Owner (and [THE DIOCESE / RELIGIOUS ORDER], if Owner requires) as additional insured, plus workers' compensation as required by law. Producer's insurance is primary for claims arising from the production.
11. Indemnity. Producer will defend and indemnify Owner and its clergy, staff and volunteers against claims, damage and expense arising from the production's use of the Property, except to the extent caused by Owner's own negligence.
12. Fee or donation. In consideration for use of the Property Producer will pay Owner [$[AMOUNT] PER DAY / A FLAT FEE OF $[AMOUNT] / A DONATION OF $[AMOUNT] TO THE PARISH], payable [ON SIGNING / ON THE FIRST DAY OF FILMING]. Utilities, custodial time beyond normal hours, and a parish staff member present during filming are [INCLUDED / BILLED AT $[AMOUNT] PER HOUR].
13. Safety and access. Producer will keep exits and fire lanes clear, will not block parishioners' access beyond the agreed areas and hours, and will supervise minors as the law requires. Owner may have a representative present at all times.
14. Cancellation. Either party may cancel with [NUMBER] days' written notice. If Producer cancels later than that, Owner keeps [PERCENT]% of the fee. If Owner must cancel for a funeral, pastoral emergency or diocesan direction, Owner will refund any fee paid for the cancelled days and the parties will try in good faith to reschedule; Owner has no further liability.
15. General. This agreement is the whole agreement about use of the Property, can be changed only in a writing signed by both parties, and binds successors. Producer may not assign it without Owner's consent.

Signatures

Owner
Signature: ______________________________
Printed name and title: [NAME], [PASTOR / ADMINISTRATOR / PRINCIPAL]
Date: ______________
Diocesan or provincial approval attached: [YES / NO / NOT REQUIRED]

Producer
Signature: ______________________________
Printed name and title: [NAME, TITLE]
Date: ______________

Attachments: filming schedule; parish liturgical schedule; floor plan of included areas; certificate of insurance.