Filming at Silicon Valley’s Airport, SJC!

Film, Video and Photography Policy

The San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is located in the heart of Silicon Valley surrounded by some of the world’s most famous high tech giants including Google, Apple Inc., Cisco, Intel, Adobe, eBay and Hewlett Packard. With a polished new look from a $1 billion modernization, iconic architecture and an average of more than 300 beautiful sunny days per year; SJC may be an ideal location for your commercial film or photo shoot. SJC will help you navigate the policy and advise you on the best ways to get your project done in a timely manner with existing limitations.

Follow these steps to navigate SJC filming requirements:

  1. Complete a Film Request at least 30 business days prior to production. Requests will be approved to eligible applicants after SJC determines, in its sole discretion, that the proposed activity is in accordance with federal, state and local laws and with the Airport’s rules and regulations, and will not interfere with business operations.
  2. Project organizer will calculate fees based on estimated time in the film request. Fees will be collected at the time of the shoot. Refunds will not be given for overestimated time.

    Film and Photography Fees:

    DESCRIPTIONRATESTERMS
    Location Fee$250 per hourTwo-hour minimum

    Airport Coordinator

    • Scouting Trips
    • Pre-Production Meetings
    • Logistical Planning
    $77 per hourTwo-hour minimum
    Airport Management$115 per hourTwo-hour minimum (SJC will determine if Airport Management needs to be involved in project.)
    Escorts for pre-and post-security
    (contract security service)

    Project Organizer is responsible for coordinating security services directly with the Airport approved contract security services. A rate will be determined by the Airport approved contract security service.
    Rate TBD by approved serviceFour-hour minimum (Airport Staff determines how many escorts are needed for each project.)

     

  3. Read the SJC Commercial Film, Video and Photography Agreement.

    The project organizer is responsible for reviewing the agreement and determining if the project complies with the guidelines set forth in the SJC Commercial Film, Video and Photography Agreement. Upon approval, the project organizer will need to sign the agreement and send it to info@sjc.org.

  4. The approval process can take up to 10 business days depending on project complexity and proposed locations of shoot. Tentative approval will be granted to eligible applicants after SJC determines, in its sole discretion, that the proposed activity is in accordance with federal, state and local laws and with the Airport’s rules and regulations, and will not interfere with business operations. SJC will try to accommodate requested dates and times of filming; however, final schedule is at the discretion of SJC.
  5. While the request is being reviewed, the project organizer can tentatively coordinate the production schedule and proposed locations with the Airport Coordinator and pre-arrange for Airport Security if needed. SJC will tentatively determine the number of escorts needed if the proposed location of the shoot is post-security. The project organizer is responsible for coordinating the logistics and providing payment directly to Airport Security (First Alarm).
  6. Once a project gets tentative approval from SJC, the project organizer must complete and sign a City of San José Right of Entry Agreement, provide a signed SJC Commercial Film, Video and Photography Agreement and a Certificate of General Liability Insurance and Endorsements for $1,000,000. Signed paperwork should be received at least three business days prior to start of shoot. The request remains tentatively approved until all signed paperwork and certificate of insurance is received by SJC.
  7. Once all required documentation has been received and SJC has issued final approval, the project organizer will need to prepare a check payable to “City of San José” or provide credit card information for the estimated airport fees. Fees will be collected on the day of the shoot by the Airport Coordinator. The project organizer and the crew are responsible for their parking fees, to be paid to the parking attendant at time of departure.
  8. Day of the shoot – The Airport Coordinator and the Airport Security Escorts will meet the project organizer and crew in a pre-determined centralized airport location. Extra equipment or crew members not listed in the film request will be subject to dismissal. If the proposed shoot is post-security, the project organizer and crew will be escorted through the security checkpoint and all TSA federal rules will apply.
     

For more information about SJC’s Film, Video and Photography Policy, call (408) 392-1150 or send an email to info@sjc.org.

Thank you for choosing San José Mineta International Airport! SJC looks forward to working with your project team and creating an idyllic setting for your production at Silicon Valley’s Airport!