PLEASE NOTE OUR POLICY HAS CHANGED, AND TRF WILL NO LONGER BE ISSUING MEDIA PASSES TO SAME-DAY REQUESTERS. ALL PASS REQUESTS MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE, APPROVED, AND SCHEDULED.

TRF Media Credentials Guidelines

Texas Renaissance Festival welcomes legitimate news and editorial media interested in covering the festival. These guidelines are designed to support media access while protecting guest experience, participant operations, safety, and festival activities.

Eligibility and Approval

· Media access is intended for working journalists, editors, producers, photographers, videographers, broadcast crews, and other representatives on a legitimate editorial assignment.

· Submitting a request does not constitute approval, guarantee admission, reserve a time slot, or authorize filming or special access.

· TRF may request assignment details, outlet information, examples of work, or other information needed to evaluate a request.

· Credentials are issued at TRF discretion and may be limited, modified, or revoked when necessary for safety, operations, policy compliance, or guest experience.

· A media credential confirms approved media status for the visit. It does not provide unrestricted access to non-public areas, performers, shops, concessions, staff, or filming locations.

Festival-Day Visits

· All approved media must check in at the Media Center at the front entrance before beginning coverage.

· Only individuals listed on the approved request may receive media access. Crew changes should be submitted in advance whenever possible.

· Media should carry photo identification and keep TRF-issued credentials visible while working on festival grounds.

· Media teams may be limited to two scheduled video/broadcast windows per weekend unless TRF approves an exception.

Videography and Broadcast Coverage

Videography must be coordinated with TRF Marketing and conducted with a TRF marketing liaison present. Standard festival-day video/broadcast windows are:

WindowStandard Capacity

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Up to 2 approved video/broadcast teams

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Up to 2 approved video/broadcast teams

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Up to 2 approved video/broadcast teams

Capacity is subject to staffing, festival operations, special events, breaking-news needs, and the nature of the requested coverage. TRF will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requested times but cannot guarantee a particular window.

Still Photography and General Reporting

· Approved still photographers and reporters generally do not require a dedicated liaison for normal coverage in public guest areas.

· They must still check in at the Media Center and comply with credential, access, safety, privacy, and participant-interaction requirements.

· Commercial, advertising, portrait, fashion, promotional, stock, or other non-editorial photography is not covered by media accreditation and requires separate authorization.

Interviewing Performers, Vendors, and Concessions

Many TRF performers, artisans, merchants, food and beverage operators, and other participants are independent businesses or contractors. Media requesting planned interviews, demonstrations, filming inside shops or booths, staged interactions, or other coordinated participation should identify those requests in advance. TRF will assist with coordination when possible; participation remains subject to the consent and availability of the individual or business.

Parking and Special Access

· Press admission may be provided for approved media visits. Preferred parking may be provided when operationally appropriate and must be requested in advance.

· Parking credentials, special access, interviews, restricted-area access, and specific filming locations are not guaranteed unless included in the written confirmation.

· Media must follow instructions from TRF staff, security, safety personnel, and designated liaisons at all times.

Non-Festival-Day Visits

· Access to festival grounds on non-festival days is by appointment only.

· Requests should be submitted at least seven days in advance. Standard coverage hours are 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM; exceptions may be considered when operationally feasible.

· All videography requires advance coordination and a TRF marketing liaison.

· All personnel must check in at the Main Office unless alternate instructions are provided in writing.

· Interview topics and requested interview subjects should be provided in advance so TRF can coordinate availability.

General Conditions

· Media activity may not block pathways, disrupt performances, interfere with guests, enter restricted areas without authorization, or impede festival operations.

· Drones, aerial systems, or other specialized equipment require separate advance written authorization and are not approved by a standard media credential.

· Live broadcasts, large equipment setups, power requirements, staged productions, or other unusual technical needs must be disclosed in the request.

· TRF reserves the right to relocate, pause, limit, or end media activity when reasonably necessary for safety, operations, guest experience, contractual obligations, or policy compliance.

Media Credential Request Form