The Fullerton College community gathered on Friday, Feb. 7 to preview Fullerton College’s episode of “The College Tour” at the Campus Theatre. Cast members and their loved ones as well as staff from campus communications attended the advanced showing.
Seven students and three alumni from Fullerton College were featured on Amazon Prime’s “The College Tour,” hosted by Alex Boylan. “The College Tour” dives into colleges around the world including Texas A&M University and the neighboring Cal State Fullerton. It focuses on students from a variety of departments to get a diverse scope of the community.
Casting calls began in early August when students were emailed details while filming occurred in September.
Every applicant had to submit a video audition in order to be considered for the feature. Each student had a two-minute spotlight where they highlighted their experiences as a Hornet as well as their campus involvement.
Second-year student Aaliyah Skipper represented the photography department.
Fullerton’s diversity on campus is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Skipper hopes to lead by example for others with her inclusion, specifically fellow women of color.
“Other women of color who might get inspired by just the fact that somebody is willing to put themselves out there,” Skipper said. “All people really need is to see you, and that can motivate something for themselves to try to do the same.”
Skipper found herself hesitant and toying with the idea of submitting her audition.
“I was doing a video in my car at 10 o’clock at night,” Skipper said. “I was not sure if I actually wanted to do this. I kind of did it on a whim. I wasn’t expecting to get in, but I definitely wanted to try.”
Friends and family were included to show their social life on campus. Skipper used the community around her to be more authentic on camera. In the episode, she and her friends can be seen playing a game of Uno.
“I was very nervous, [my friends] helped me to kind of calm my nerves a little bit and just kind of get me to laugh and be myself in front of the camera,” Skipper said.
Being responsible for representing your school can be a lot of pressure, but Skipper takes it with pride. She anticipates watchers of the show will be able to see how Fullerton puts students first.
“This isn’t just education,” Skipper said. “[Fullerton College] is really career based. [They are] able to get to know students underneath just a name, underneath just a label.”
Aaliyah’s dad, Ruben Skipper, shares the same excitement to see her in front of the camera.
“It’s exciting,” said Ruben Skipper. “I’ve worked in production for the last 20 years. I normally work on red carpets, celebrity escorts so I’ve taken her on a lot of things but to see her on the other side is very nice.”
Alumnus Kash Amos, who is also featured, was a commencement speaker last spring. Amos transferred to USC and needed to leave his 11 a.m. class in order to make the premiere. Amos calls Fullerton College “his home” and made the time commitment in between his busy schedule to film the episode. After watching the episode, Amos said he was impressed with the outcome.
“At first it was weird,” said Amos . “Like that feeling when you feel like your name is about to be called and you got to watch it but it came out nice. Better than expected. They kept everything in, a full script, a full scene and everything was genuine. I can see myself on TV more often.”
The episode will premiere on May 24 on Amazon Prime, but students can watch it now on the campus YouTube channel.
