Filming 'Landman' Provides TCU Students Experiential Learning
Hollywood’s spotlight is shining directly on Texas Christian University students.
As viewers turn to the anticipated second season of the hit TV show Landman, know that Horned Frogs had a hand in its success.
In addition to working as extras on the Taylor Sheridan production, as hundreds had
in brief on-campus filming in the first season, students this time had a larger role.
For Season 2 of the anticipated Paramount+ series, Horned Frogs worked as extras and
behind the scenes, getting real-world, hands-on experience in areas such as camera
and wardrobe.
“I had worked in film through high school, so to get to see how a large-scale production
functions, in all of the specific roles involved, even with costuming, was a really
cool experience,” said Adelaide Lovett, a senior fashion merchandising major in the
College of Fine Arts who worked with the wardrobe department. “I did not expect to see how efficient everything
ran, or the scale. I was very shocked, walking into the trailers, to see that there
were not just duplicates of outfits, but seven of the same shirt. And then there were
different stages for the same shirt. So, it’s very precise, and it’s an art and a
science, too.”
Lovett, a double major in psychology in the Davis College of Science & Engineering, said the experience left her starstruck, but not by the stars in front of the camera.
“I was blown away with the staff in general,” she said. “They’re kind of celebrities
to me. I was asking them what they worked on, and there were all these projects they
had done that I had seen, and I was like, ‘You guys are really experts in your field.
I’m kind of starstruck.’”
Take Two
For another perspective, film, television and digital media (FTDM) seniors Freddy
Ornelas and Colson Schroeder were selected from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication to work with the camera crew.
“I signed up as soon as possible,” Schroeder said. “I was in a lecture and — I’m sure
many people did the exact same thing I did — on our laptops waiting for the docs to
open up so you could choose what you wanted.”
The two shadowed the camera operators all day, watching and learning and discovering
how different the work was from what they had expected.
“I saw them do the same take, I don’t know how many times. It had to be 10 to 12 times,”
Ornelas said. “And it was the same shot, but just different camera angles. I was like,
‘Wow, that’s just one 30-second scene.’ Who knows if they’ll even use the whole thing?”
This kind of exposure for students was exactly what TCU had in mind. Season 1 of Landman featured a first glimpse of TCU when they filmed on the athletic track with actors
Jon Hamm and Demi Moore. Filming a large production on campus was new to TCU, but
people across the university came together to make it happen, as long as student work
experience was the priority. When the show wanted to return and feature TCU even more,
Brad Thompson, executive director of university events, took over the logistics and
built out a plan that could serve future operations as well.
“The first time, we weren’t sure what hosting a large production like this would look
like. For the second season, we were really able to capitalize on the opportunity
by getting our students involved and shining a light on TCU,” Thompson said. “We think
this is really a win-win. We learn from experiences like this every time, but it was
great to approach it not only as part of a major Fort Worth event, but also as something
unique that we can offer as an academic opportunity for our students. Many of the
students who volunteered behind the scenes were hired to work on other productions
in Fort Worth.”
Increasing Opportunities
The local film industry is growing. Sheridan, 101 Studios and Hillwood have partnered
to open SGS Studios in Alliance, which will be the largest film studio in Texas, according
to news reports.
“SGS Studios isn’t just about soundstages or tax incentives — it’s about reclaiming
the independence and grit that built this industry in the first place,” Sheridan said
in a statement to Newsweek. “Texas offers something rare: the space to dream big, the freedom to build fast
and a community that still believes storytelling matters.”
Lovett is excited for what’s next for Fort Worth and TCU after her time on set.
“The energy here is so vibrant and great. And to see it getting recognition was just
very exciting,” Lovett said. “And to think that more films could come here, because
there are so many capable people that I grew up with, that I met on set, and other
film students — it’s just incredible. It’s kind of beyond words. I’m just so excited
for TCU and Fort Worth in general. What Taylor is doing is just incredible.”
Sheridan, who grew up near campus, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters from TCU last spring for his contributions to the arts, the Texas film industry,
the greater Fort Worth community — and TCU.
“Before I realized how big Fort Worth was becoming for the film industry, I thought
I’d have to go to L.A. to make a name for myself,” Ornelas said. “I’m not gonna say
I was necessarily going to do that right away, but I knew eventually you have to go
down there. And now, I sincerely don’t feel that way.”
Ornelas is also excited about what filming here means for the classroom and promotion
of the FTDM program and the university as a whole.
“The film department is doing a tremendous job of presenting students with opportunities
here on campus, and I’m excited to see what happens,” he said. “I think Landman shows off how beautiful our campus is. This is going to bring attention to the campus
and more business opportunities, and I’m excited.”
Plenty of Purple
Although TCU does not have permission to review scripts or characters or content,
the institution does negotiate for student opportunities and views it as a chance
to elevate the TCU name and have its campus and plenty of purple on display among
the fictional characters.
“Taylor Sheridan and his production teams have provided hundreds of TCU students with
professional film industry experience that’s already resulted in real-world work experience,
internships and jobs,” said Merianne Roth, vice chancellor for TCU marketing and communication.
“The experience offers material benefit for our students, and we love being a filming
location. It brings incredible energy to campus. It’s not meant to be a commercial
nor represent real characters, though. It’s pretty clear that this is good television
in its most compelling, comedic and dramatic form.”
Even TCU’s massive downtown Fort Worth mural designed by Trevor Scott ’22 is set to
make a cameo.
“It was incredibly rewarding to see my artwork featured in Landman,” said Scott, who was a student in the Department of Design. “Since the design was
captured on film, it now lives on as part of Fort Worth’s history in a way, which
is pretty powerful in itself. As a designer, you never really know who will encounter
your work, and now millions will see it through the show.”
Scott said he’s honored to have been part of a project that’s been so well received,
and others concur.
“Having Landman film on TCU’s campus not only helps build the university’s awareness globally,” Tricia
Jenkins, FTDM professor, said, “it also provides our film and theatre students with
unique experiential learning opportunities and reflects the explosive growth of the
film and television industry in Fort Worth, more broadly.”
Horned Frogs couldn’t help but seize the opportunity.
“The feeling of making something big and bold that people are gonna see all over the
place?” Schroeder said with a smile. “That just sounds like too much fun for me not
to get involved.”
