PRESS RELEASE: MTV's COLLEGE LIFE

I received press release today for MTV's latest show, COLLEGE LIFE. It's an interesting concept and made me wonder if we'll see more and more self-produced shows in the future, including soaps, as technology continues to become available to allow it happen.


TAKING REALITY TO A NEW LEVEL

MTV HANDS OVER THE CAMERAS AS
STUDENTS DOCUMENT THEIR “COLLEGE LIFE”
MONDAYS AT 10:30PM ET/PT

What do you get when you take away the producers, directors and camera operators? COLLEGE LIFE, is a self-produced, groundbreaking new series following students as they embark on their freshman year of school in a way never before seen on television. Following a group of college kids at a Big Ten University in Madison, Wisconsin, the students will tell their own stories in an authentic and unprecedented way, as cameras are put in their hands. From hookups to breakups to academic pressure and homesickness, COLLEGE LIFE delivers a new level of “real”-ity access starting April 13 at 10:30pm ET/PT on MTV.

"Technology has democratized the filmmaking process for our viewers. That fact combined with this generation's real time publishing online of every aspect of their lives brings us into a new era of honesty and openness, and COLLEGE LIFE exemplifies this," said Tony DiSanto, head of MTV Programming. “COLLEGE LIFE has turned the cameras over to the students themselves, allowing them to tell their own stories, show us their world, bare their emotions and take us on a dramatic journey through Freshman year as they see and experience it. It's an entirely new and different viewing experience that we are very excited about.”

Engaging college students around the world, mtvU, MTV’s 24-hour college network, is set to launch a COLLEGE LIFE contest, as part of the Best Film on Campus initiative beginning, in mid-April which challenges students to produce and submit their versions of their college Life. Finalists’ content will be showcased on collegelife.mtv.com and bestfilmoncampus.com, where fans will be able to vote for their favorite video. While several finalists will be chosen, only one winner will receive the hottest MTV gifts and prizes.

For 24/7 access, viewers will be able to see cast photos, watch full episodes and check out exclusive extended footage of each cast member on collegelife.mtv.com. On the go? Watch full episodes, sneak peeks and episode recaps on mobile video across all wireless carrier partners. And MTV Mobile WAP users can check photo galleries, cast bios, weekly episode guides and take weekly polls.

Continue reading...

Here is an introduction to the COLLEGE LIFE crew:

Kevin:
Hi, I’m 18, from St. Paul, Minnesota and I’m chillin’. I like cooking outdoors, Kid Rock, good grades, fathead posters, and mini-skirts. Not too sure what I’m doing in the future – Seth Rogen seems to have a pretty good gig. My buddies and I have a pretty good time… summers consist of crappy minimum wage jobs, Pennsylvania Style Light beers, partying outside, and tan girls. In college, Penny light is now PBR light, math is ridiculously harder, the girls are better looking (no offense), and you have way more fun.

Andrea:
Hey, I am 19-years old and was born and raised a cheese head. I love animals, am known to break into dance at any given moment and I absolutely love to sing (even though I'm not that great). I plan to major in journalism and/or broadcasting, and traveling the world. I am unattached and am having too much fun getting to know the wide array of guys out there. In the wise words of Pink, “life is my dance floor and God is my DJ.”

Jordan:
What up! I’m19 years old, was born and raised in Wheaton, IL, a predominately white suburb of Chicago. With a mom from Jamaica and dad from Canada - both cultures have influenced me. I am a music nerd. I envision a career of writing but who knows what the future brings? I’m into literature so if you ever want to start a book club or need a good book to read hit me up. I am currently single, but I'm definitely ready for a relationship. So that's me. Well not all of me but a nice little cross-section.

Alex:
Hey ya’ll! I'm 19 years old and I’m from Montgomery, Texas in search of a fresh start, new friends, and cultural diversity. I’m here on a scholarship, so school is a priority, yet balancing between grades and a social life is tough. I am passionate about volunteer work and hope to double major in Journalism and International Studies. I'm a music junky, a vegetarian, a twin, and I watch SportsCenter religiously.

Liz Gateley, Brent Haynes and Amy Emmerich are MTV executives in charge of production.