What do the new ‘Star Trek’ movie, ‘Superbad,’ ‘Sky High,’ ‘Georgia Rule,’ ‘The Office,’ ‘CSI,’ and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ have in common? Each of these movies and television shows were filmed at CSUN.
Beyond the daily scholastic operations on campus, there lies a world of fantasy and entertainment.’ The university has been home the Starfleet Academy for the latest ‘Star Trek’ film, a high school for superheroes in ‘Sky High,’ and has posed as a number of other more obvious locations, including Cannes, France and Las Vegas.
If you have ever experienced a strange sense of d’eacute;j’agrave; vu while walking across college grounds or have watched a film or TV show that was oddly and indescribably familiar it might be because you have been there before.
Located within 20 miles of most major film studios, CSUN is a convenient and attractive location for moviemakers.’ Boasting a diverse number of backdrops for filming, CSUN is also a more affordable locale than other campuses in the Los Angeles area.
The rates for shooting a feature film at CSUN are $5,625 for a 14-hour day and $5,065 daily for television production. This is about $3,000 less for feature films and $500 less for shooting television footage at USC.
For CSUN, the profits and increased public prominence in the nation’s entertainment capital are beneficial. The Los Angeles film industry in 2007 contributed about $32.2 billion to the state of California, according to the Los Angeles Country Economic Development Corporation; making the motion picture industry one of the most lucrative areas of business in the state.
Similarly, Annual Report data from the CSUN University Corporation, which oversees licensing and facilities rentals, states that $95,450 in financial support came from on-campus filming in 2007/2008.
However, on-campus filming is not only financially beneficial to CSUN; it also provides students interested in film and filmmaking an opportunity to participate.
In 2008, the University Corporation in conjunction with the Department of Cinema and Television Arts started the Student Extras Program. The program gives students the opportunity to work as extras or production assistants on filming projects on campus.
While most filming is scheduled during times that create the least interference with classes and business, keep your eyes open for star trailers and production crews. You never know when you might see the next big Hollywood film or one of your favorite TV shows on campus.
Popular Movies at CSUN:
Star Trek (2009)’mdash;Oviatt Library/Sierra Quad
Knight Rider (2009)’mdash;Oviatt Library/Sierra Quad
Superbad (2006)’mdash;North Campus F10
Georgia Rule (2006)’mdash;Sierra Quad
John Tucker Must Die (2006)’mdash;Manzanita Hall
Sky High (2004)’mdash;Oviatt Lawn Stairs ‘amp; Front
Legally Blonde 2 (2003)’mdash;Oviatt Library
Popular TV Shows at CSUN:
The Office (2007)’mdash;Bayramian Lawn, Noski Auditorium, Photo Studio
CSI Las Vegas (2007)’mdash;Sierra Tower, Oviatt Library
Joan of Arcadia (2003-2005)’mdash;Oviatt Library, Campus Theatre
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2003)’mdash;Cleary Court Breezeway
Roswell (1999-2002)’mdash;Oviatt Library
Star Trek Voyager (1995-2001)’mdash;Oviatt Library
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993-96)’mdash;Oviatt Library
Battlestar Gallactica (1978-79)’mdash;Oviatt Library
Student Extras Program
http://www.csun.edu/licensing/extras.php
