Unlikely talks about how students are finding it harder to navigate the college complex. So many start and then drop out due to finances, life challenges or failing a class and not knowing how to cope next. Adam and Jaye Fenderson went out to find why this happened and what’s being done about it.

Check out more details HERE

Who are you and what do you do?

We are a husband/wife filmmaking team, and our company Three Frame Media produces original and branded content including

documentaries, docuseries, and commercials.

Why this story?

In the US less than 50% of students who start college actually finish which makes our completion rates one of the worst among industrialized nations. With the recent college admissions scandal and presidential candidates putting forth plans to tackle growing student loan debt, it has become all the more evident that our higher education system is not working for today’s students. So we wanted to tell this story in hopes of raising awareness about how higher education is driving inequality in our country while also highlighting some innovative programs that are working to change the status quo.

What is one thing you learned out of this process of filming the doc?

Solutions are out there but higher education often operates in silos and people are hesitant to change.

How long did you shoot for? In total how long did it take for pre-pro to post?

We started filming in November of 2015 and wrapped production in May 2017. It then took us over a year to finish post-production before we debuted at film festivals in 2018. And then we ended up recutting the film after the college admissions scandal broke in March of 2019 because we felt like it was something the film needed to address, so that’s the version that is playing in theaters now.

Do you think the American dream still exists?

Absolutely! That’s why so many people come to the US and pursue higher education

because they believe opportunities await on the other side of a degree. But it’s incumbent upon higher education to make sure the system is an accessible, inclusive and affordable bridge to those opportunities.

Why do you think college is so important in today’s world?

The demands of the workforce and economy have changed, so a high school diploma is no longer enough to compete for a livable-wage job. It really takes some form of post-secondary training to compete in today’s job market, whether it’s a certificate, technical or vocational training, or an associate or bachelor degree.

What do you think the future college will look like?

Higher education needs to adapt to the students it serves. College isn’t just for 18-24-year-olds right out of high school - in fact, the majority of students going to college today don’t fit into that framework. Populations that have been marginalized from higher education are becoming the majority, so colleges need to innovate their models to support today’s students on their educational journey as parents, first-generation, working adults, older adults, comebackers, or students experiencing homelessness. That’s the future of the college.

How did you find the stories for the doc?

As we were researching the issue of college completion, we were looking for innovative stories that were defying the odds and that’s how we landed on the organizations and programs and even cities that are really moving the needle on student success. We really wanted to tell a national story featuring voices that were representative of today’s students, so we ended up interviewing a lot of individuals over several months until we found the combination of perspectives that we thought would connect with the film’s intended audience.

What do you love about doc that’s different from narrative filmmaking?

With narrative projects, you start with a script and then figure out the best way to bring that story to the screen. What we love about making documentaries is the process of discovery and the unexpected journey that unfolds when you’re filming real people and real situations. And it’s extremely personal as you get to stand alongside people during the highs and lows of their life. That personal connection is one of the best parts of making a documentary!

What’s next for you?

We just finished directing a docuseries about small businesses and the challenges they face in today’s economic landscape. It’s called Saving Main, and it’s coming out in November of 2019.