Recognized nationally and internationally as a superb environment for the study and practice of film, television and interactive media, the School of Cinematic Arts draws thousands of students, alumni, industry professionals, academics and other visitors to Los Angeles each year.
SCA Complex main building
The Cinematic Arts Complex, completed in 2013, is comprised of seven main bulidings, totaling 270,000 square feet. The George Lucas and Steven Spielberg buildings rise above a sweeping courtyard named in honor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which partnered with the university in 1929 to begin the USC cinema program.
On the lower level of the buildings is the Marcia Lucas Post Production-Center, including sound dubbing stages, editorial labs, classrooms and ADR and Foley stages. The first floor of the complex includes the Ray Stark Family Theatre, which is equipped for 3D presentation, as well as two digital theatres: the Albert and Dana Broccoli Theatre and Fanny Brice Theatre, and a combination screening room/sound dub stage. Both the Lucas and Spielberg buildings have large open lobby areas named for cinema greats, Mary Pickford and Harold Lloyd respectively.
Artist's rendering of the new complex Main Lobby.View Larger
Level two of the buildings includes the Interactive Media Division, offices for the Summer Program and Student-Industry Relations, and features two screening rooms, five classrooms, a graduate student lounge and numerous rooms for student group meetings. Offices for the Production, Critical Studies, and Writing divisions, as well as the Peter Stark Program, are all housed on the third level. Two more screening rooms are on the third floor along with several informal gathering areas for students and faculty. The office of the dean, as well as production faculty and development, can be found on the fourth floor.
Artist's rendering of new complex Plaza and Cafe.View Larger
Adjacent to the Lucas and Spielberg Buildings is the Media Arts and Student Services Building, with a screening room, mixing rooms, extensive sound production studio space, and numerous classrooms. In addition, the complex includes the Production Services Building, which houses an equipment center, scenery and prop shops, hair and makeup facilities, along with screening rooms, offices and conference areas. Finally, the complex features four industry-standard soundstages, housed in two separate buildings. These seven buildings total 270,000 square feet.
Building Campaign
Opportunities for giving to the new SCA facilities are available throughout each level of the new building. Learn more about the Cinematic Arts Complex Campaign.