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TV Pilot Filmed at Bryn Mawr Over Spring Break

Thomas Great Hall, decorated with banners from the fictional Middleton University. Photo from Bryn Mawr College Class of 2018 Facebook Page.
Thomas Great Hall, decorated with banners from the fictional Middleton University. Photo from Bryn Mawr College Class of 2018 Facebook Page.

While students were away for Spring Break, camera crews swarmed Bryn Mawr’s campus for two days for the filming of an ABC television pilot produced by Shonda Rhimes, known for her work on shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal.”

According to the Mainline Media News, the show is set at a fictional Ivy-League college in Philadelphia called Middleton University. Crews will be filming at nearby campuses as well, according to the article.

A large wooden football player, constructed for a bonfire at the end of Tuesday's shoot, sits on Merion Green. Photo from Bryn Mawr College Class of 2018 Facebook page.
A large wooden football player, constructed for a bonfire at the end of Tuesday’s shoot, sits on Merion Green. Photo from Bryn Mawr College Class of 2018 Facebook page.
The statue burns on the last day of filming, at approximately 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

Filming culminated early Wednesday morning with the burning of a giant football player constructed out of wood. Students on campus over the break were warned about the potential noise and bright lights that might occur during filming, expected to last from 6 p.m. until as late as 6 a.m., according to an email to students.

The Fire Department was on hand to supervise the safety of the fire and fireworks display.

According to Lisa Zernicke, Director of Conferences and Special Events at Bryn Mawr, the Philadelphia Film Office contacted the College in early January about filming on campus.

Asked how much the College will be compensated, Zernicke said BMC charged its standard location fees but would not elaborate further.

“Given the competition for these opportunities and due to contractual agreements we don’t disclose our fees publicly,” Zernicke said in an email.

During the two days of filming, catering trucks and piles of equipment littered the campus. The filming crew included both local unions, such as the Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Local 52, and crews from as far as Los Angeles.
During the two days of filming, catering trucks and piles of equipment littered the campus. The filming crew included both local unions, such as the Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Local 52, and crews from as far as Los Angeles. Photo from the BMC Class of 2018 Facebook page.

Zernicke says there has been no discussion of whether the crew might be back for more filming if the show is picked up by ABC.

“We were very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this project and to have Bryn Mawr’s campus featured in a show that could potentially become a big hit for ABC. Hopefully, viewers will see the campus and become intrigued enough to want to find out more,” Zernicke said.

You can view more photos at the Bryn Mawr College Class of 2018 Facebook Page.

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