USC School of Cinematic Arts — Attraction in Los Angeles

While visiting Los Angeles, I was able to drop by and visit the University of Southern California and tour the Cinematic Arts George Lucas and Steven Spielberg buildings. A mentor and close colleague of mine, Sebastian Twardosz, teaches an enriching course meant to inspire young filmmaking aspirants to follow their passions.

TheINSIDERS The Art & Commerce of Hollywood

About This Class

The purpose of this course is to demystify the behind-the-scenes world of Hollywood. You will learn exactly how the business works from people who are in it now and who are succeeding at what they do. You will come away with a full understanding of the process, a game plan for how to embark on your career, and specific strategies for improving your odds. Guest speakers will include prominent agents, executives, producers, writers and directors. This course is specifically designed for emerging filmmakers, producers, and screenwriters. It is taught from a very practical point-of-view with an emphasis on how to navigate the system and get your career started. Our goal is to spike your learning curve so you know what the business expects.

Topics for Discussion The major studio system and how it operates from the top down Getting and working with agents and managers The spec market and writing screenplays that sell Enhancing your “voice” as a writer Development from a very detailed perspective Script analysis, coverage, and story notes Television development and pilot production Making and distributing independent feature films Film festivals and film sales Networking and breaking...

SCA, as it's known, feels ostentatious. It's a pretty recent addition to campus, and when I went here a few year ago, it didn't yet feel authentic. It was still too clean - no scuff marks, no chipped pavers, no gum on the floors. It doesn't yet feel lived-in. It's like a sculpture that hasn't been weathered by time.

I believe the studios are only open to film majors and to students in classes, but if you fit that description you'll enjoy this place. The amenities are spectacular. I used the animation studio, a dark, quiet space in the basement, great for spending hours at night tweaking and playing with a model. I worked on class projects and my own hobby projects, and the studio was well-equipped. They had Mac Pros set up in a farm, with 8 GB of RAM (which was fairly sizable in 2012). They had the power and the software (specifically, Autodesk Maya) you can't get in Leavey or in a consumer laptop. If you're looking to do serious animation work, you'll benefit from...

so comes the echoes : within trees : bent branches sway corridors : underfoot tides of concrete : stiff with countless journeys : so calls the screening : voices heard : thoughts consumed : eyes swollen in lieu of gradient suspects : so lingers the traces of talent : the scent of dreams pushed through a second set of lenses : funnel in once more shall...