A Safe Filming Environment, or Journalist Safety: Emergency Response

On September 24, 2026, a practical event entitled «A Safe Filming Environment, or Journalist Safety: Emergency Response» was organized for students under the guidance of Abdulla Nurgul, Lecturer at the Department of Print and Electronic Media, Master of Arts in Art Studies, cinema critic.

The primary aim of the event was to familiarize students with safety requirements on a film set, teach them how to assess potential risks that may arise while preparing journalistic and audiovisual materials, and develop the skills necessary to respond appropriately and promptly in emergency situations.

The filming process requires not only creativity but also a high degree of responsibility. When working at different locations, journalists, directors, camera operators, and other members of a production team must take into account the characteristics of the surrounding environment, pedestrian activity, as well as technical and natural risk factors. During the event, students were therefore introduced to the importance of inspecting a location before filming, identifying potential hazards, determining safe routes of movement, and prioritizing safety measures, including stopping the filming process when an emergency occurs.

During the practical part of the event, the students explored various locations within the Farabi Campus. Each space was assessed individually in terms of its suitability and safety for filming. The participants discussed what types and genres of content could be produced at particular locations, what factors should be considered when positioning a camera, and how to organize the safe movement of a production crew.

Students were also introduced to ways of effectively utilizing the artistic potential of accessible locations across the university campus. They learned how the same space can be presented in different contexts through the use of various camera angles, compositional approaches, and filming techniques. This enables students to produce high-quality audiovisual content in a safe environment without having to seek distant or potentially hazardous locations for their future academic and creative projects.

Filming on the university campus not only contributes to student safety but also helps reduce the time and financial costs associated with organizing creative projects. Instead of spending excessive time searching for suitable locations, students can focus on exploring the visual and dramaturgical potential of the spaces readily available to them.

Particular emphasis was placed on the principle that «safety comes before the perfect shot». The pursuit of an unusual or visually impressive shot should never endanger a person’s life or health. In the event of an emergency, students must first ensure their own safety and that of the other members of the production team before continuing with their professional responsibilities.

As a result of the event, students gained a clearer understanding of the importance of viewing a filming location not only as a creative space but also as a professional environment that requires advance planning and strict adherence to safety requirements. Such practical activities contribute to developing professional responsibility among future journalists and audiovisual media specialists, while strengthening their ability to make appropriate and informed decisions in real-world working conditions.