Filming and Photography
Filming and Photography Overview
Thank you for your interest in holding a film or photography shoot in Grand Central Terminal!
The MTA and Metro-North Railroad allow external parties to temporarily use Grand Central Terminal for small and self-contained film and photography shoots upon execution of the Grand Central Terminal Still Photography/Film Permit Application (“Permit”). This website provides information about applying for the Permit, contacting us for general inquiries, and an online version of the Permit to file your request.
Looking to hold a larger-scale film or photography production in Grand Central Terminal? Please visit Filming on MTA Property for more information.
Are you a member of the press? Please visit MTA Media Relations for information on news media requests.
Looking to engage in public speaking, advancing a charitable cause, or other non-commercial activities? Please visit Non-Commercial Activities at Grand Central Terminal for more information.
Application Process
Before filing the online Permit, we recommend contacting an MTA Filming & Events representative using the General Inquiry form to discuss the particular details of your request, including the specific location within Grand Central Terminal you wish to use, the nature of your proposed shoot, date and time availability, and intended use of the imagery.
After discussing an overview of your project, you can file the Permit on this website to request the temporary use of the space. The Permit must be filed at least five (5) business days prior to the requested date, but more advance notice is often recommended as Permits are processed on a first-come first-served basis.
Note: MTA/Metro-North cannot guarantee review of any Permits filed with less than five (5) business days’ advance notice.
There is a non-refundable application filing fee (Permit Fee) applied to all Permits—there are no exceptions. The non-refundable filing fee is separate from any licensing fees for commercial use, which shall be discussed with an MTA Filming & Events representative.
Permit Fee Structure—
Commercial usage: $450
Non-Commercial usage: $250
Commercial usage is defined as using the photographs or video taken at Grand Central Terminal to promote a product or brand, class or workshop, image, or service via a website, social media,
newsletter, tv spot, or other use deemed commercial in nature at MTA’s sole discretion.
All commercial usage projects may also be subject to a separate licensing fee, which will be determined once the application is received and the scope of the project is discussed with an MTA Filming & Events representative. If you have questions regarding the licensing fee for commercial usage, please use the General Inquiry form found here and include specific details of your planned media use(s) and duration of such uses (i.e., media flight).
Non-Commercial usage is defined as using the photographs or video taken at Grand Central Terminal for personal use, such as wedding and engagement photos/videos**, student projects, hobbyist photographs, or any other use that does not meet a Commercial usage criteria, as determined in MTA’s sole discretion.
**Wedding and Engagement photos/videos will be considered a Commercial usage in instances where the photographer, videographer, or event planner uses the imagery on their website and/or social media to promote their business.
For license inquiries for commercial use, please use the General Inquiry form found here and include specific details of your planned use and duration.
Once the online Permit is filed, the review process will officially begin for your proposed request and you will be contacted by an MTA Filming & Events representative.
FAQ
Who should use this Permit?
Anyone is free to take pictures or video with a handheld consumer camera inside Grand Central Terminal. However if you will be using professional equipment, like a tripod, light, or stabilizer, or if you will be using the content for commercial purposes, you must complete this Permit process to file a Grand Central Terminal Still Photography/Film Permit Application.
How long does the process typically take?
Once the online Permit is filed, the review process will officially begin for your proposed request, and you will be contacted by an MTA Filming & Events representative. We recommend allowing at least ten (10) business days for the process. The online Permit must be filed at least five (5) business days prior to the requested date; we cannot guarantee review of any Permits filed with less than five (5) business days’ advance notice.
Who reviews the Permit? What determines if my request is approved or denied?
An MTA Filming & Events representative reviews each Permit and any accompanying documents to determine availability and feasibility of the request. The primary focus is ensuring the continued safe and orderly operation of Grand Central Terminal—a major transportation hub and tourist destination—during each shoot, as well as verifying that the shoot itself will be conducted in a safe, secure, and code compliant manner.
Are there date or time restrictions?
Permits are issued for a specific date and time on a first-come-first-served basis. In order to avoid rush hours, on weekdays all productions are limited to a time period between 10 AM and 3 PM or after 8 PM. Weekends have no official rush, so time is more flexible. As this is an active transportation hub, there are black-out dates when no Permits will be issued.
What if I have a recognizable celebrity participant, require electrical power, or have another special request?
How much will this cost?
- Each Permit requires a non-refundable filing fee based on whether your end use is Commercial or Non-Commercial in nature.
Permit fee structure:
Commercial usage: $450
Non-Commercial usage: $250
- a. Commercial usage is defined as using the photographs or video taken at Grand Central Terminal to promote a product or brand, class or workshop, image, or service via a website, social media, newsletter, tv spot, or other use deemed commercial in nature at MTA’s sole discretion.
- b. Non-Commercial usage is defined as using the photographs or video taken at Grand Central Terminal for personal use, such as wedding and engagement photos/videos**, student projects, hobbyist photographs, or any other use that does not meet a Commercial usage criteria, as determined in MTA’s sole discretion.
- i. **Wedding and Engagement photos/videos will be considered a Commercial usage in instances where the photographer, videographer, or event planner uses the imagery on their website and/or social media to promote their business.
- All Commercial usage projects may also be subject to a separate licensing fee, which will be determined once the application is received and the scope of the project is discussed with an MTA Filming & Events representative. If you have questions regarding the licensing fee for commercial usage, please use the General Inquiry form found here and include specific details of your planned media use(s) and duration of such uses (i.e., media flight).
How do I determine if my use is a commercial use?
Commercial use of Grand Central Terminal imagery requires a fee-based license agreement, as most elements of the interior and exterior are protected by trademark. To determine if your use is commercial and quote the appropriate use fee, we recommend discussing the details of your planned media use and duration with an MTA Filming & Events representative by using the General Inquiry form found here.
Can I cancel a Grand Central Terminal Still Photography/Film Permit Application?
Please notify your Filming & Events representative as soon as possible of a cancellation request so that your scheduled date and time can be freed up for other requests. The required $250 filing fee is non-refundable.
Permit Application
General Inquiry for Film and/or Photography
To discuss your project or licensing before applying for a permit, or for general information, please fill out this form.
Filming and Photography Overview
The MTA allows external parties to temporarily use Grand Central Madison for small and self-contained film and photo shoots upon execution of the GC Madision Filming and Photographyn Still Photography/Film Permit Application (“Permit”).
Please visit the GC Madison Filming and Photography page to learn more about applying for the Permit, contact us for general inquiries, and find an online version of the Permit to submit your request.