Trojans may have been confused by the sudden transformation of parts of campus, which were dressed in the blue and white of Ludlow College, the fictional liberal arts school at the center of the HBO comedy series “Rooster”, along with a blanket of fresh fake snow.
“Rooster” is a comedy series about Russo, played by Steve Carell, and his complicated relationship with his daughter.
In their second week of filming Season Two, “Rooster” chose USC as one of the colleges, along with Occidental and Stockton, to represent the fictional Ludlow. USC director of campus filming Torie Daves said that parts of the show’s first season were also filmed at USC.
Carell, known for his roles in “The Office” and “Anchorman,” was seen in a winter coat in front of the Musick Law Building, despite the humid 80-degree weather on campus.
Actor Phil Dunster, best known for his role as Jamie Tartt on the show “Ted Lasso,” was also seen riding a bicycle in the fake snow.
Crews continued filming in front of Bovard Auditorium and outside Taper Hall.
Senior Business Marshall student Xian Yu took pictures of the set with the snow settling at her feet.
“I’ve been here for, like, four years, and it’s the first time I see such a huge scene here,” Yu said. “I do see some shooting on campus from time to time, but it’s never, like, recreating this entire scene.”
With USC in the heart of Los Angeles, the campus has a history as a filming location for famous movies like “Legally Blonde” and “Forrest Gump”.
The sight raised some questions among students and staff about whether the artificial snow across campus posed any health risk.
Daves said the material is the same that is used for flocking Christmas trees and is not harmful, though the crew handed out masks as a precaution.
“Because it’s so humid, it was hanging in the air,” Daves said. “It’s not that it would be dangerous for anybody, but it could be uncomfortable if you’re breathing that in.”
And while the fake snow didn’t stop production, shooting had to be halted because of lightning in the area.
“Due to OSHA regulations, if there is a lightning strike within 6 miles of the campus. They have to stop filming, and they have to shelter in place or shelter someplace,” Daves said. “They had to do that twice today.”
Justin Blum, the production’s first assistant and second in command of the rigging department, explained how they achieved the effect.
“They put down this matting here, and then they blow the snow with a little hose connected to the machine over there to make it go all over the bushes,” Blum said.
According to security personnel Gregory Robinson, the crew is set to film until 10 p.m. Tuesday night with possible blockades around the filming locations throughout the day.
