For the first time, a student-produced reality series has premiered at TCU. The Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media is producing its own competition-based reality television show called “Top Grad.” The premiere event and screening of the first episode took place on Feb. 11 at TCU’s Brown-Lupton University Union auditorium.

 

The show features 11 TCU student-contestants of all different academic majors participating in a series of challenges to prove that they are the “best and brightest” among their peers.

 

Each episode, the contestants will show off a wide range of academic talents and resourceful skills expected in an ideal, well-rounded student. The winner of the show will be given the “Top Grad” title, receive a cash prize in the thousands and will be featured in TCU magazine.

 

This show is believed to be the first of its kind. TCU has done television projects in the past (a sitcom called “Preston Hall,” which was featured in The New York Times in 1997, and a soap opera called “Studio 13” that aired on TBS in 2001), but never a competition reality series. This semester, “Top Grad” will be produced by a combination of three classes from FTDM using real-world skills such as writing, casting, directing, camerawork, post-production and advertising. “We are hoping this show will be a hit and a good reflection of a reality series,” executive producer Julie Harrison said.

 

The show’s season is scheduled to have eight consecutive episodes to be aired on Fridays at 7 p.m. online and on the TCU network. During each episode, student-contestants will perform in a challenge reflecting a different department of the University. A panel of selected judges from appropriate disciplines will determine the winners and losers of each episode and ultimately result in contestant elimination.

 

To learn more about this project, visit www.TopGradTV.com.