Movies filmed on USC's Campus
By Lauren Brose ‘15
USC’s School of Cinematic Arts’ award winning architecture is undoubtedly one of the best parts about USC’s Campus. Established in 1929and with more part time academic staff than full time, USC’s SCA is a premier private film school located conveniently at the heart of the entertainment industry. A number of famous filmmakers are connected with the school including George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Judd Apathow, Jason Reitman and Will Ferrell. Unsurprisingly, USC’s campus has been known to be filming locations for over 20 films and television shows.
The Social Network(2010)
The story of Harvard drop out Mark Zuckerberg’s rise tosuccess with the creation of Facebook featured a number of locations includingHarvard and USC’s campus. Another LA location featured in The Social Network is popular nightclub Exchange LA.
Legally Blonde (2001)
Reese Witherspoon plays Elle Woods, Delta Nu sorority girl at “California University.” After getting dumped by her boyfriend, she works her way to acceptance at Harvard Law School in the hopes of winning him back. Bovard Auditorium was used as Elle Woods’ dorm room during her time at Harvard Law. Another fun fact: Delta Nu is based on USC’s Delta Gamma sorority. USC is the Alpha Nu chapter of Delta Gamma—“Delta Nu.”
Entourage (2004-2011)
It comes as little surprise that the successful (and unending—they’re making a movie!) HBO show Entourage featured scenes filmed at USC. Entourage’s story surrounds an actor, an agent and a screenwriter who are trying to make it in the entertainment business in Hollywood. A number of local spots throughout Los Angeles were featured in the show such as Urth Café, Pike’s hot dogs, Jerry’s Famous Deli and The Standard.
Forrest Gump (1994)
The first time I ever saw Oscar winning film Forrest Gump, I was in my US History class. The film’s protagonist is one of the most unique, insightful fictional characters to date. Famous for the line “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” A scene from Forrest Gump features Marks Hall, Jenny’s all-girls school in the film.
The Graduate (1967)
The fountain outside of Doheny Library was the spot where Ben mopes around and waits for Elaine to come to him. Additionally, Elaine’s dorm in the film was VKC. The graduate stars Dustin Hoffman who plays the character Ben, a recent college graduate. He has an affair with Mrs. Robinson, his father’s business partner’s wife, and is unable to shake the affair after he falls for Mrs. Robinson’s daughter Elaine.
The Bachelor (1999)
This movie is super throwback for me and now I will have to re-watch it so I can spot Doheny Library! I cannot promise you this is a good film since I was like ten when I last saw this, but you’re into chick flicks and haven’t seen this movie check it out (Chris O’Donnell isn’t so bad to look at either). It’s about a commitment-phobic bachelor who must get married or else he will lose his massive family inheritance.
The Princess Diaries 2 (2004)
When Anne Hathaway’s character Mia graduates Yale in the opening scene of the film, Bovard Auditorium can be vividly spotted as the principle filming location. The Princess Diaries 2 takes place in a fictional country, Genovia, and is a sequel to the epic teen coming of age film The Princess Diaries.
The Roommate (2011)
This movie made me legitimately fear for the sanity of my randomly assigned roommate when I came to USC and what do you know, this movie was filmed here too. Rebecca and Sara are roommates at a college in Los Angeles and things turn for the weird when Rebecca becomes progressively psychotic and obsessive over Sara. USC’s campus can be spotted within the first 15 minutes of the film.
