“Wait, was that USC?”: Movies & TV Shows Filmed on USC Campus

By: Karla Leung ‘22

If you watch enough television and see enough movies, it’s likely that you’ve seen a scene filmed on USC’s campus without even knowing it. Here are a few of the most notable films and TV series filmed on campus!

Social Network (2010)

The biographical film of Mark Zuckerberg is supposed to take place in Harvard, we’re the same thing, right? USC campus is spotted a number of times throughout the movie, from the Von KleinSmid Center (VKC) to a Taper Hall lecture.

Forrest Gump (1994)

This iconic and classic movie is set in the American South, however, USC is a briefly a location posing as The University of Alabama. As Forrest Gump graduates, he walks across the stage and receives his diploma outside of Bovard Auditorium.

The Office (2008)

In Season 5 episode 1 of The Office, hearts were broken as Jim and Pam were apart while Pam was attending art school. However, Jim surprises Pam at her dorm room, supposedly on campus at the New School of for Design, which was actually filmed in Pardee Tower. Take a peek at Season 5, Episode 5 “Weight Loss” at 18 minutes.

Legally Blonde (2001)

Once again, although set at Harvard, scenes of Legally Blonde are mostly filmed around Southern California, including USC’s campus. One of the most iconic and commonly used buildings on campus, Bovard, can be seen as Elle moves into Harvard.  

How to Get Away with Murder (2014)

This ABC television series’ pilot episode has the all too familiar background of walking down Trousdale. Behind Wes Gibbin’s bicycle trip through campus is clearly the Student Union as he heads to Bovard for class. Afterward, he and Annalise Keating are seen walking by Zumberge Hall of Sciences along Trousdale again. 

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