Hollywood's spotlight is shining directly on Texas Christian University students. As viewers turn to the anticipated second season of the hit TV show Landman , know that Horned Frogs had a hand in its success.

In addition to working as extras on the Taylor Sheridan production, as hundreds had in brief on-campus filming in the first season, students this time had a larger role. For Season 2 of the anticipated Paramount+ series, Horned Frogs worked as extras and behind the scenes, getting real-world, hands-on experience in areas such as camera and wardrobe.

"I had worked in film through high school, so to get to see how a large-scale production functions, in all of the specific roles involved, even with costuming, was a really cool experience," said Adelaide Lovett, a senior fashion merchandising major in the College of Fine Arts who worked with the wardrobe department. "I did not expect to see how efficient everything ran, or the scale. I was very shocked, walking into the trailers, to see that there were not just duplicates of outfits, but seven of the same shirt. And then there were different stages for the same shirt. So, it's very precise, and it's an art and a science, too."

Lovett, a double major in psychology in the Davis College of Science & Engineering , said the experience left her starstruck, but not by the stars in front of the camera.

"I was blown away with the staff in general," she said. "They're kind of celebrities to me. I was asking them what they worked on, and there were all these projects they had done that I had seen, and I was like, 'You guys are really experts in your field. I'm kind of starstruck.'"

Take Two
For another perspective, film, television and digital media (FTDM) seniors Freddy Ornelas and Colson Schroeder were selected from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication to work with the camera crew.

"I signed up as soon as possible," Schroeder said. "I was in a lecture and - I'm sure many people did the exact same thing I did - on our laptops waiting for the docs to open up so you could choose what you wanted."

The two shadowed the camera operators all day, watching and learning and discovering how different the work was from what they had expected.

"I saw them do the same take, I don't know how many times. It had to be 10 to 12 times," Ornelas said. "And it was the same shot, but just different camera angles. I was like, 'Wow, that's just one 30-second scene.' Who knows if they'll even use the whole thing?"

This kind of exposure for students was exactly what TCU had in mind. Season 1 of Landman featured a first glimpse of TCU when they filmed on the athletic track with actors Jon Hamm and Demi Moore. Filming a large production on campus was new to TCU, but people across the university came together to make it happen, as long as student work experience was the priority. When the show wanted to return and feature TCU even more, Brad Thompson, executive director of university events, took over the logistics and built out a plan that could serve future operations as well.

"The first time, we weren't sure what hosting a large production like this would look like. For the second season, we were really able to capitalize on the opportunity by getting our students involved and shining a light on TCU," Thompson said. "We think this is really a win-win. We learn from experiences like this every time, but it was great to approach it not only as part of a major Fort Worth event, but also as something unique that we can offer as an academic opportunity for our students. Many of the students who volunteered behind the scenes were hired to work on other productions in Fort Worth."

Increasing Opportunities
The local film industry is growing. Sheridan, 101 Studios and Hillwood have partnered to open SGS Studios in Alliance, which will be the largest film studio in Texas, according to news reports.

"SGS Studios isn't just about soundstages or tax incentives - it's about reclaiming the independence and grit that built this industry in the first place," Sheridan said in a statement to Newsweek . "Texas offers something rare: the space to dream big, the freedom to build fast and a community that still believes storytelling matters."

Lovett is excited for what's next for Fort Worth and TCU after her time on set.

"The energy here is so vibrant and great. And to see it getting recognition was just very exciting," Lovett said. "And to think that more films could come here, because there are so many capable people that I grew up with, that I met on set, and other film students - it's just incredible. It's kind of beyond words. I'm just so excited for TCU and Fort Worth in general. What Taylor is doing is just incredible."

Sheridan, who grew up near campus, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters from TCU last spring for his contributions to the arts, Texas film industry, the greater Fort Worth community - and TCU.

"Before I realized how big Fort Worth was becoming for the film industry, I thought I'd have to go to L.A. to make a name for myself," Ornelas said. "I'm not gonna say I was necessarily going to do that right away, but I knew eventually you have to go down there. And now, I really sincerely don't feel that way."

Ornelas is also excited about what filming here means for the classroom and promotion of the FTDM program and the university as a whole.

"The film department is doing a tremendous job of presenting students with opportunities here on campus, and I'm excited to see what happens," he said. "I think Landman shows off how beautiful our campus is. This is going to bring attention to the campus and more business opportunities, and I'm excited."

Plenty of Purple
Although TCU does not have permission to review scripts or characters or content, the institution does negotiate for student opportunities and views it as a chance to elevate the TCU name and have its campus and plenty of purple on display among the fictional characters.

"Taylor Sheridan and his production teams have provided hundreds of TCU students with professional film industry experience that's already resulted in real-world work experience, internships and jobs," said Merianne Roth, vice chancellor for TCU marketing and communication. "The experience offers material benefit for our students, and we love being a filming location. It brings incredible energy to campus. It's not meant to be a commercial nor represent real characters, though. It's pretty clear that this is good television in its most compelling, comedic and dramatic form."

Even TCU's massive downtown Fort Worth mural designed by Trevor Scott '22 is set to make a cameo.

"It was incredibly rewarding to see my artwork featured in Landman ," said Scott, who was a student in the Department of Design. "Since the design was captured on film, it now lives on as part of Fort Worth's history in a way, which is pretty powerful in itself. As a designer, you never really know who will encounter your work, and now millions will see it through the show."

Scott said he's honored to have been part of a project that's been so well received, and others concur.

"Having Landman film on TCU's campus not only helps build the university's awareness globally," Tricia Jenkins, FTDM professor, said, "it also provides our film and theatre students with unique experiential learning opportunities and reflects the explosive growth of the film and television industry in Fort Worth, more broadly."

Horned Frogs couldn't help but seize the opportunity.

"The feeling of making something big and bold that people are gonna see all over the place?" Schroeder said with a smile. "That just sounds like too much fun for me not to get involved."

-Scott Anderson