Students in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University have been working for the past few years on a new “dramedy,” OFF CAMPUS, created under the college’s new Television major. Screenwriting students wrote the scripts, and Film & Video students handled all aspects of production for the series that explores the lives of five recent college graduates living just off campus from their alma mater, as they begin their transition to adulthood.

With a cast of professional actors, OFF CAMPUS provides a lighthearted and honest look at the confusing world that America’s young people face in today’s economic times.

Westphal Television professor Andrew Susskind supervised the production. Susskind’s successful Hollywood career in television included stints as President of Television at Imagine Entertainment, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s production company, and as Sr. Vice-President of Comedy Development at Embassy Television, Norman Lear’s production company, where he oversaw the development and production of MARRIED WITH CHILDREN.  Susskind also has been a producer and director of multiple episodes of sitcoms including KING OF QUEENS, TWO GUYS AND A GIRL, THE HUGHLEYS and UNHAPPILY EVER AFTER.

“The TV Series Production class is intended to emulate as closely as possible the experience of producing a prime-time network television single-camera pilot, exposing students to the rigors of budgeting, scheduling, production and editing,” said Susskind. “More importantly, OFF CAMPUS honestly reflects the unique uncertainties, challenges and possibilities of the world that awaits today’s college graduates.”

In addition to Susskind, other Westphal faculty provided key instruction during the production including Jon Averese (sound), Lise Raven (directing & editing) and Dave Schwartz (camera & lighting). Film & Video Program Director Karin Kelly and Screenwriting & Playwriting Program Director Ian Abrams also have been instrumental in making OFF CAMPUS. Students from the Music Industry program handled musical scoring and Interior Design and Fashion Design students held positions as set directors and fashion directors respectively.

Catch up on all the Off Campus episodes on the Drexel Television Youtube Channel: