Binghamton University unveils new campus tour video

Binghamton University ushered in the fall semester by unveiling a brand-new campus tour. And unlike many college tours, it wasn’t produced by a big agency for big bucks – it was made in-house, by staff and students.

The last Binghamton University campus tour came out in 2015. Because of the exponential growth of campus, the University decided a revamp was long overdue. Usually, universities choose to outsource to production teams for projects like campus tours, hoping for enhanced quality, the use of better gear and trained actors. A project subcontracted in this fashion can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

The University’s Division of Communications and Marketing decided to take a different path. The actual question of what to present, and how, quickly arose.

The development team, led by University Videographer Casey Staff and Communications Manager John Brhel, already had the use of state-of-the-art tools — like drones to film aerial shots — but a script and content still had to be created. For that, Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Marketing Rebecca Kahn stepped in, assisted by Brhel.

After several months of polishing, Brhel and Staff sat down one more time and worked, line by line, to bring more energy to the script and come up with fun and dynamic transitions.

“A lot has changed here in the past eight years, from new facilities to all-new schools. Definitely the fashion!” Brhel said. “We wanted to highlight the campus and all the great things it has to offer today, so a new tour was necessary.”

Another step in the process was finding the faces amongst the thousands of Bearcats willing to lend their likeness to a project.

“We knew we wanted the new tour to be engaging, fun and captivating,” Staff said. “Rather than having the tour be propelled by a voice-over or hosted by hired actors, we decided to take the authentic route and utilize the help of real Binghamton students who give in-person and guided tours to prospective students and families.”

Adam Assou and Chloe Van Caeseele, both ‘23, were selected to be the video’s guides.

Assou, now a graduate student in system science and industrial engineering, got to know the Division of Communications and Marketing as a member of the University’s TikTok team.

“Most people will not believe it when I tell them this, but I used to be a very shy, quiet kid. I would hate any attention drawn to me. And just the fact of being in the spotlight made me nervous,” Assou said. “But being in college kind of pushed me outside of that shell. I was really excited to be part of this project because it was my senior year. And my whole thing was, ‘How can I leave a legacy?’ I’m glad I got to take part.”

The project was shot over the spring 2023 semester, wrapping up right before the Commencement ceremonies where both Assou and Van Caeseele graduated.

“It’s an understatement to say we are grateful to Adam and Chloe for finding the time in their busy schedules to film their segments – the tour wouldn’t be half as effective without them,” Brhel said.

The tour explores a variety of the University’s features, from research to athletics and beyond. But viewers are treated to a number of shots that a production company wouldn’t have had access to, some thanks to those across campus who were happy to share their time and work. For example, the group filmed a segment late at night after a dress rehearsal with the cast of RENT, and the final scenes of the video wouldn’t have been possible without Assou’s and Van Caeseele’s friends coordinating their schedules to be present.

Assou was thankful for the ability to work with other members of the campus community and said it made the process more enjoyable.

“They were my bosses, but it didn’t seem like that — I was just working with my friends,” Assou said. “There were times during shoots when I didn’t feel well or confident in delivering a line. They would constantly reassure me, ‘It’s okay. It’s your first time. We get it.’ The fact that they were very courteous and aware of how I felt throughout the shoot, it made a difference.”

Just a month after its release, the video has already garnered over thousands of views. For Staff, Brhel and Assou, the video is a testimony to months of hard work and effort, and it will serve two important audiences: prospective students, who might even be hearing about Binghamton for the first time, and the thousands of alumni who now have a chance to see how much has changed.

“Even though this tour only provides a glimpse into all of the wonderful opportunities and experiences Binghamton has to offer, it instills pride and a sense of belonging in those who are members of the community,” Staff said. “It shows our alumni how far we have come and that we are unstoppable. It invites prospective students to step into a world of wonder and innovation. It informs the surrounding community of Binghamton University’s accomplishments and our direct impact on the Southern Tier and beyond.”