The Film & Television Production program emphasizes exploration of the student filmmaker's creative voice through hands-on filmmaking. Students learn all aspects of cinematic storytelling from writing and producing to directing, post-production and cinematography. The faculty panel evaluates applications for originality, clarity, personal insight and artistic excellence.

This section includes information needed to apply to the Film & Television Production Program. Please read all the following information carefully.

Application Overview

The following items must be submitted to be considered for admission to the Film & Television Production program.

  • USC Graduate Application for Admission
  • Cinematic Arts Supplemental Materials
    • Cinematic Arts Personal Statements A & B
    • Writing Sample (pick one: A or B or C)
    • Visual Sample (Video or Photo Option)
    • Portfolio List
    • Letters of Recommendation (3)
  • Official Transcripts (From all Academic Institutions Attended)
  • Official TOEFL Test Scores (International Students Only)

All matters relating to admission are the applicant's responsibility. When submitting an application, make sure you have completed all screens of the online process. The online application system allows you to check your application to verify your application materials have been uploaded and submitted. Incomplete applications, or applications not submitted, cannot be considered.

Application Deadlines

Graduate Film & Television Production

  • Fall: December 1
  • Spring: August 1

View all Application Deadlines.

Cinematic Arts Supplemental Materials

All of the following materials must be submitted through the University's Graduate Online Application. Materials sent by mail will not be accepted. The online system may have provision for materials required by other programs, but we only require submission of materials specified herein.

These materials must include the applicant's name at the top of each page. Clearly title all documents with the appropriate supplemental document title (e.g. Personal Statement A, Writing Sample C, etc.).

  1. Graduate University Application

    The application to the USC Graduate School is through the online application system (USC Graduate Application). On this system, the applicant must upload the following materials required by the Film & Television Production program.

    If you experience any technical issues, please contact the Apply Yourself Help Center by email at ayhelp@usc.edu.

  2. Cinematic Arts Personal Statements (Both A and B are required)
    1. The personal statement will be read by the Film & Television Production Admission Committee as a measure of creativity, self-awareness and vision. There is no standard format or correct answer. What we are looking for is a sense of you as a unique individual and how your distinctive experiences, characteristics, background, values and/or view of the world have shaped who you are and what you want to say as a creative filmmaker. Be specific, vivid and focused. We're not interested in a laundry list of personality traits or a resume of accomplishments. We want to know your passions, your beliefs, the kind of stories you want to tell. (1,000 words or less)
    2. The production program at USC is committed to providing students with a broad understanding of both fiction and nonfiction filmmaking, in cinema, television and new media, and in the major creative roles of writing, producing, directing, cinematography, editing and sound. After exposure to all these forms and roles, students often choose to concentrate on a particular discipline. Given what you know now (and without committing yourself in any way) tell us which of the above aspects of filmmaking seems of particular interest to you and why. (200 words or less)
  3. Writing Samples (choose one-clearly title which writing sample you choose)
    1. An outline for a four-minute film that contains no dialogue. It can be fiction or non-fiction. The story has to be communicated visually. (no more than two pages)
    2. A dialogue scene between two people. Provide a one-paragraph introduction describing the two characters in screenplay format. (no more than three pages)
    3. Describe a concept for a feature-length movie, fiction or documentary, which you would like to develop. (no more than two pages)
  4. Visual Samples (choose one)

    5. Applicants must submit a URL for their visual sample. Samples sent by mail will not be accepted. To ensure committee access, we recommend that you do not password protect your samples.

    • Video Option: Create a brief narrative video in which you had a major creative role. The video can be either live-action or animation, fiction or documentary, but it should reflect your aesthetic tastes and intellectual and emotional interests. (no more than five minutes)
    • Photo Option: Prepare a series of six photographs you have taken which, when viewed in a specific sequence, portray a unique and original character or which tells a simple narrative story. Also, please submit a two page narrative about the character that is being portrayed. The images may either be black-and-white or in color.
  5. Portfolio List

    6. The portfolio list is a written record of the applicant's creative material. It should include a concise description of each project, the month and year the project was completed, the applicant's creative role and the purpose of the project. The material, which does not need to be film- or television-related, should give an idea of the range and depth of the applicant's creative ability. Formal recognition - such as awards, publications, jobs and exhibitions - should be noted. The name of the institution or publication should be included when listing creative materials prepared for a class or publication. Please do not submit any of these materials to us - this is just a list of your work. An example of the portfolio list is below:

    • July 2008, A Day in the Life, digital video, 12 minutes. Position: writer/director. A documentary on a homeless Iraq vet who has lived on the streets since his return from the military. Created for senior-year multimedia term project, San Raphael High School, Miami, Florida.
    • March 2008, Doorways, a series of 5 black-and-white photographs. Position: photographer. "Second Prize Winner" in the Des Moines Sunday Journal photo contest.
    • February 2007, Cellomorphosis, short story. Position: writer. A variation on the novella by Franz Kafka; published in Writing, vol. IV, 2007, at Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts.
  6. Letters of Recommendation (One letter must be an academic reference)

    7. Three letters of recommendation are required. Applicants must submit their letters electronically through the "Recommendation" system on the online application. Recommenders who are unwilling to use the online recommendation process may send their letters to USC Graduate Admissions. Applicants are responsible for verifying that the letters have been received.

TOEFL (International Students Only)

International students are required to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam, unless they are from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (except Quebec) where English is both the first language of the country and the language instruction or if they have a degree from a college or university in an English-speaking country (United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, USA, etc.).

The minimum recommended TOEFL score is:

  • Computer Based Test (CBT): 250
  • Internet Based Test (IBT): 100
  • Paper Based Test (PBT): 600-603

Note: These scores may not be more than two years old at the time of application.

USC's institution code for TOEFL Registration is 4852. There is no Department Code. Additionally, if you have a copy of your score report, please scan and upload it to the online application. It is recommended that applicants take the TOEFL exam at least one month prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all Colleges or Universities attended must be submitted. Request original copies of official transcripts to be sent directly from your institution to USC Graduate Admissions at:

USC Office of Graduate Admissions
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

It is recommended that you send your official transcripts to USC's Office of Graduate Admissions at least 3 weeks before the application deadline.

Additionally, please upload a copy of your transcripts into the online application system. This will assist us in processing your application. When scanning transcripts into the online system, be aware there is a limit on the size of file you can upload.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Many financial aid and scholarship processes run concurrently with the admissions process. Be sure to research and apply for financial aid and scholarships as you are applying for admission. There are many grants and scholarships that are available through the University of Southern California. Please feel free to email us at studentservices@cinema.usc.edu for specific information or if you have any questions.