Filming religious or culturally private moments

Being invited to a ceremony is not permission to film all of it. Ask the family, the community or the person who leads the ceremony what may be filmed, then write it down for the crew.

Who should you ask?

The right person depends on the ceremony. We follow the practice of the people involved, because practices differ between communities and between families.

If different people give different answers, follow the stricter one until it is sorted out. Note who gave each answer, so the crew knows who to ask on the day.

What does a briefing cover?

A short written briefing, filled in by the family or custodian, avoids guesswork on the day. You can copy this list:

1. The parts of the ceremony in order, with rough timing.
2. For each part: may be filmed, may be filmed from a distance, audio only, or not filmed.
3. Where the crew may stand, and any areas they must not enter.
4. Dress and conduct expected of the crew, as told by the family or leader.
5. Who decides on the day, with a phone number.
6. What happens to the footage: who sees it and whether anything is shared outside the family or community.

Practices vary, so the family or community fills in each line.

A worked example: a community gathering

This is an illustration, not a real event. A residents’ association hosts a festival prayer gathering in a community hall. The committee wants a record for members and a short clip for the association’s page.

The committee leader marks the briefing: the arrival and the shared meal may be filmed; the prayer itself is filmed from the back of the hall, with no close-ups of faces; one short section is not filmed. Crew stand in an area the leader points out. After the event, the leader reviews the clip before it is posted.

The same approach works for a gathering held outside a place of worship, such as a hall, a home or a field. The principle is the same: the people responsible for the gathering set the limits.

What about the crew?

Crew follow the briefing, dress and behave as asked, and keep a low profile. If they are unsure, they ask your named contact. If a point in the briefing needs a different arrangement, we tell you before the day so you can choose how to proceed.

Tell us early if you need someone familiar with a particular community’s customs, and we will confirm what is possible for your date.

What about sharing the video?

Agree the audience before filming. A record for the family may be welcome, while a public post may not be. If you plan to post, check with the people who lead the ceremony first.

The guide on recording versus publishing shows how to plan separate versions. For weddings, see keeping a wedding or family film private.

What we confirm for your event

• How the crew takes direction from the family or the leader on the day.
• Filming from a distance, or audio only, for private parts.
• What happens if a part turns out to be restricted when we arrive: the camera goes down and the crew asks your contact.
• Who can see the footage while we edit.
• A private version for the family and a different one to share.

For the wider list, start with permissions to discuss before filming. Use the filming and publication responsibilities checklist to write down what you agree. For a community event, see our community event videography service, and ask us about event videography when you are ready.