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Test City, USA

There is undeniable energy and momentum in the growing startup ecosystem of Columbus, Ohio. Test City, USA explores this moment in time for the city, how the ecosystem evolved, and the challenges of what comes next.

  • Kyle Skinner
    Director
  • Jay Clouse
    Producer
  • Eric Hornung
    Executive Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 33 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 11, 2019
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Film Festival of Columbus
    Columbus, Ohio
    United States
    September 12, 2019
    Ohio Premiere
    Best Ohio Feature
  • Columbus International Film Festival
    Columbus
    United States
    April 14, 2020
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Kyle Skinner

A fifth-year film production studies major, Kyle his home town of Santa Barbara and its close proximity to Hollywood to finish his college career in Columbus. Skinner is an outside hitter for the men’s volleyball team and transferring to an elite volleyball program attracted him to Ohio State.

"Test City, USA" is Kyle's first feature-length documentary.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

We are fascinated by the different approaches cities across the United States take towards fostering entrepreneurship. There is no other place like San Francisco, but we’re in a time when great companies can be started all over the country.

There didn’t seem to be unbiased, nuanced look at specific cities. Everything we found was commissioned by the city, or economic development, or a community organization with a vested interest of showing, “Here’s what’s awesome about [city].” and a vested interest in not showing, “Here’s the problem about [city].”

To us, it was much more interesting and valuable to create documentary-style story about a city with the goal of being honest as opposed to being positive.