Student-Founded Film Company Continues After Graduation
The student-led company continues to produce film projects at the University of Tennessee after its founders graduated.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in College Life
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TOSU Productions, a student-founded film company, is continuing its operations at the University of Tennessee following the spring 2026 graduation of its co-founders. The group maintains its production schedule by partnering with various campus organizations on creative film and advertisement projects.
Why it matters
The company serves as a case study for student-led creative enterprises that survive the transition from undergraduate to alumni status. By collaborating across different campus departments, the founders continue to pursue their personal artistic visions even after leaving school.
Production teams often face on-set hurdles, such as spending 3 hours waiting for a locked room, which requires them to adjust shoot dates and technical sequences. The company remains active following the graduation of founders Tyler Schulte and Skylar Massengill in spring 2026.
The players
Osagie Uzzi
A senior at the University of Tennessee and a co-founder of TOSU Productions.
Tyler Schulte
A spring 2026 graduate of the University of Tennessee and a co-founder of TOSU Productions.
Skylar Massengill
A spring 2026 graduate of the University of Tennessee who worked with TOSU Productions.
University of Tennessee
The large public institution in Knoxville where TOSU Productions collaborates on projects.
The details
TOSU Productions functions by collaborating with university organizations to blend different departments on set. Filmmakers manage the production process by adapting to unexpected technical challenges or facility access issues as they arise during filming. The group plans to continue focusing on narrative stories, short films, and cross-genre projects as their primary creative output.
Timeline
TOSU Productions was founded in 2024.
Tyler Schulte and Skylar Massengill graduated in spring 2026.
An advertisement for the Music Industry Club's Monstober Halloween Music Bash was released on Oct. 15, 2026.
Education Landscape
Student-led creative companies often mirror the growth of formal entrepreneurship programs that encourage graduates to maintain their ventures after leaving campus. This model sits within a broader trend of students using their undergraduate years to build professional networks and creative portfolios.
Students looking to start a venture while in school can utilize university partnerships and departmental collaborations to streamline production logistics. If you are launching a project, consult your school's student activities or media office to identify available campus resources and support.
The takeaway
Student creators can successfully pivot from collegiate projects to independent production by maintaining interdisciplinary collaborations. Keep a record of campus-based partnerships, as these networks often serve as the foundation for creative work after graduation.
Further reading
For more on how students launch and sustain professional networks during their studies, visit our College Life section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Beacon.
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