November hit Evansville with a chilly wind, ushering us closer and closer to the end of the semester. And while campus welcomed students bundled up in the early morning sunlight, on Monday, November 1 the University also greeted some special guests: the film crew of The College Tour.
Camera operators, production assistants, directors and the show’s host and co-creator, Amazing Race winner Alex Boylan, hit up numerous spots around USI, filming dialogue and scenes of students for USI's episode, set to air in Spring 2022.
A TV show aimed at providing useful, informative and interesting stories about universities across the United States for prospective college students, The College Tour (or TCT) shares college campuses through the stories and experiences of current students.
"The story behind [the show] is my niece couldn't figure out where to go to college and didn't have the finances to travel all over the country, just like millions of other high school students," says Boylan. "I, as her uncle, was helping her navigate this process. And I make television shows for a living and I realized, we've got to make a show for higher education."
Utilizing his skills and connections in the television industry, Boylan and a team of award-winning producers—including Lisa Hennessy (The Biggest Loser), Burton Roberts (Around the World for Free) and Mike Murray (Survivor, The Contender)—started the program during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a large, global audience to universities around the country during a time when in-person visiting was limited or unavailable.
"It is so awesome to be the host of this show," says Boylan. "To make it engaging and bring it in a way that any student, any high school student anywhere in the world can watch it is a blessing."
For USI's episode of TCT, 10 students from various backgrounds and majors, with interests that spanned across the University, were chosen to represent us. They spoke on college life, experiences in and out of the classroom, friends they've made, clubs and organizations they've joined, their own unique stories of coming to USI and how the University is helping shape them into the people they aspire and challenge themselves to be.
For five days—starting at 8 a.m. in the chilly morning sun and usually running until about 7 p.m.— The College Tour crew trekked numerous paths across campus. They filmed the 10 students in spots all over, telling not only the story of the student, but how that weaves into the fabric of USI. When they weren't with students, the crew chatted with USI employees, shot extra footage of daily life at USI and, quite frankly, experienced what a beautiful Fall week is like in southern Indiana.
With 45 school episodes under their belts, the crew of The College Tour heaped praise on our University, students and employees. They spoke highly of the grounds and beauty of campus, and made fantastic connections with our students and staff. Boylan and USI President Dr. Ronald Rochon quickly became friends as well.
"I can't get my smile off my face," Boylan said during his campus interview. " I know its because of the people here. The second I stepped on this campus—and the crew was already telling me before I got here—everyone has been so nice, so welcoming, so inviting. And you hear that from the students we've been talking to as well. I think that's one of the best things a university can have."
It comes as no surprise that the USI community shone brightly during the week. Boylan was not the only one showering praises on USI. Crew members spoke highly of our students, stating their energy and stories were unique and fun. Many stated after working with USI staff in the weeks leading up to filming, they couldn't wait to visit and see all that USI had to offer—and they were not disappointed.
Whether it was location set up or helping to work out scripts, The College Tour crew had high marks for USI. "I love [the script for Alex]!" said Rachel Oeth, TCT producer who worked closely with USI staff during pre-production. "This was probably my favorite script ever. So fun, so thought out!"
Students who participated in the episode were undergraduate and graduate students; athletes and student organization leaders; traditional and non-traditional; hometown kids and those far from home. Each one brought an enthusiasm and spark to the filming.
"It was a privilege for me to just be a part of it," says Diego Castillo, a Venezuelan native and senior engineering major graduating in December 2021. "Since I got here, USI has been very welcoming to me. And they have done so much for me that I always want to give back to them. I'm honored to be a part of this."
Now that filming has officially wrapped, the project heads into the next phase—post-production. The College Tour crew and producers will now get to work over the next several months putting together the episode. Here on campus, things will not slow down either. As we get closer to the Spring 2022 airing of the episode, keep your eyes open for upcoming videos, information pieces, interviews with the participating students and plans to celebrate the airing of the episode!
Credits:
Elizabeth C. Randolph Zachary Kuhs