Durham College plays host to rising star’s music video

The cast and crew of Tyler Medeiros’ new music video set up a take inside the gym at Durham College’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre on June 1.

Already well known on the academic circuit for its campuses and facilities, Durham College also made its mark on the music scene last month when it provided the location for rising Canadian singing star Tyler Medeiros’ music video for his new single Please Don’t Go featuring Lil’ Twist.

Directed by Marc Andre Debruyne and filmed at the Oshawa campus at the beginning of June, the video was shot in gyms 1 and 2 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, inside the Marketplace Cafeteria and in the south wing of the Gordon Willey building.

Students were given the opportunity to assist with the filming both in front of and behind the camera with the Durham College/University of Ontario Institute of Technology dance team GeekFreaks dancing in the video and students from the Centre for Success used as extras. In addition, several students helped out behind the scenes, giving everyone involved a chance to see first-hand how videos are made.

“Having these types of activities on campus is important as a community partner,” said Suzanne Chasse, manager, Facilities and Ancillary Services. “Durham College has always given back to the community and this is just another example. It’s also nice our students got to be a part of it.”

The video was not Debruyne’s first experience filming at the college, he also filmed a video for singer Najjah Calibur at the Campus Library in February 2011.

“With Durham College, I received nothing but support,” said Debruyne. “Their staff went above and beyond to facilitate our production. It’s such a complicated task to shoot a music video, especially one with a minimal budget that we’re trying to make appear as big as possible.  I would love to shoot at Durham College again.”