A Sense of Pride

Back in 2008 The Coen Brothers released a movie titled Burn After Reading. It was rumored they would be using one or two locations on my college campus to brief scenes. They were shooting during a break when no one would be around. I have seen the movie more than once and don't recognize any place in it. Whether they changed their minds about the scene shot, or if it was even shot there at all, is unclear. But since then Fordham has become a bit popular for films.

That same year, a movie production studio was in talks with Fordham to use our radio station studios to film a movie staring Uma Thurma who was to play a talk show host. The deal fell through, but it was cool enough that it could have happened.

Over the past year, 3 movies have had scenes shot on our campus. Last spring a Michael Dougles movie, rumored to be called 'Solitary Man' was being filmed on campus. The movie co-stars Jenna Fischer, Susan Sarandon, Jesse Eisenberg, and Danny Devito. It was unclear if all of these actors were at Fordham during the filming, but today a trailer and some photos were released. I know countless movies are filmed in the New York area every year and having spend the past 4 years in this city, there are many places I have come to recognize. Nonetheless, seeing my school campus in a trailer has a totally different sensation. I am not pro-Fordham (which is not to say I am anti-, just not passionate about it), but it still feels oddly cool to have a connection to it, watching those scenes.

In the fall, Oliver Stone shot a few scenes on our campus as well for his new film, Wall Street 2, also staring Michael Douglas. Part of me wonders whether Douglas suggested the campus as a site to shoot after being on it for his other movie. The international trailer was released about 6-7 weeks ago, and while it is a brief scene, there is a quick clip from our campus featured in this trailer as well.

Finally, in the winter of this year a single scene was shot on the steps of Keating. This building is beautiful to look at, and it is no wonder that it is the point of focus for a location when shooting on the campus. I am fuzzy on the details about this movie, but I do remember the scene was about the main character, who was a graduate of Fordham, who was using it as his location to announce his candidacy for some governmental office. I am going to ask around to see if anyone remembers who the actor was, or any further details about this one.

I am not sure if this is a recent upswing in movie studios' interest with the campus or if this has been happening in the past, but it is pretty cool to be around for it. I hope another one happens before I leave. Maybe I will actually get to be an extra in it.

(pictured: the first volume of a graphic novel series I just started. It is pretty good stuff)