The one degree of its kind presented in the larger context of a Tier 1 Research University, this program offers an unpredicted exploration of the Themed Entertainment Industry. Our narrative first focus builds on the history of themed entertainment, while infusing this cutting edge field with radical innovations in technology. This unique degree pulls from all across the USC spectrum of courses, and takes unique advantage of Los Angeles' legendary location, as the Entertainment Capital of the World.
The faculty admissions committee evaluates applications for originality, clarity, personal insight and artistic excellence. Considerable importance is placed on the creative work demonstrated within the application. Some applicants may be contacted for an interview in order for the admissions committee to learn more information or gain clarification of submitted materials. By limiting the evaluation to the items listed, the committee ensures that all applicants are judged by the same criteria.
-
Cinematic Arts Personal Statement (Must be uploaded in PDF format only):
The Cinematic Arts Personal Statement is an opportunity to express your ideas about and interest in Interactive Entertainment,Game Art, and/or Themed Entertainment. Help us understand your background and creative potential, and explain why you would like to study one of these disciplines at the School of Cinematic Arts. We are looking for a sense of you as a unique individual and how your distinctive experiences, identities, values, and/or views of the world have shaped who you are. This statement will be read by the admissions committee as a measure of creativity, self-awareness and vision. Your statement should give the committee a sense of your long-term goals and ambitions. It should answer the questions: "Who are you as a person? What are you trying to say, using immersive media? Why do you want to attend one of our Programs? What are your career/professional/artistic goals?"
-
Project Question (Must be uploaded in PDF format only):
Describe a project that you worked on with multiple collaborators that left you feeling proud and fulfilled. Discuss your role in the project and explain why this collaboration was successful. Then, describe another collaborative project that left you unsatisfied. Discuss your role in the project and explain why this collaboration frustrated you. Finally, summarize what you learned from each of these experiences and describe the lessons you learned that inspire your future collaborations. (No more than two pages)
- Creative Portfolio List (Must be uploaded in PDF format only)
The Creative Portfolio List is a written record of the applicant's creative material. Please list all of your creative work, when and in what capacity it was created. For example, was the work made in a class or for a show? What was your role? List your most recent work first and list related work as a single entry, such as a group of drawings completed for a single showing. If you have created interactive software, animation or games, please be sure to list these on your portfolio and describe the development environment for the piece. For example, the program or language used. If you have created paper-based games, please list these as well. If you were part of an interactive production, please list your role in the experience. The name of the institution or publication should be included when listing creative materials prepared for a class or publication. A few examples are below:
June 2025, Honors, 16mm black-and-white film, one hour. Position: writer/director. Honors is a story about two competitive college roommates. Produced for an advanced film production workshop: "Film Production II," University of San Diego, San Diego, California.
February 2023, "Cellomorphosis," short story. Position: writer. A variation on the novella by Franz Kafka; published in Writing, vol. IV, 2021, at Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts.
January 2021, No-Tag Team, Flash game. Position: game designer, programmer. A short, experimental game about two game avatars who wander an unknown land without ever finding each other. Made in a Flash Workshop at Boston Community College. Available to play at http://www.mysite.com/thisisnotagteam.html.
-
Technical Skill ((Must be uploaded in PDF format only)
Please list any Coding Languages, Tools Platforms, Game Engines, and 3D art/animation software you are familiar with, as well as any other software or skills you believe would be applicable. NOTE: Students do not need to have a coding or engineering background to succeed in our program, however we like to know what tools and skills students already have.
-
Development Portfolio (Upload in Portfolio section)
Applicants should submit a portfolio of at most 15 pieces of content that represent their work that is most relevant to them. This content can include:
- 2D/3D artwork and/or animation, including storyboards
- Puppets or physical creations
- Interior design & lighting
- Games or Immersive Media
- Demonstrations of Engineering or Business skills
- Pictures of physical card or board games
- Life drawing or painting examples
- Motion graphics work
Or any other samples that represent the applicant's aesthetic sense and capabilities.
Moving images should be uploaded as individual files not to exceed a total of 15 minutes of material. Please do not upload one single large file.
Regarding playable game content, browser games that do not require installation or have strict system requirements will be more accessible to our admissions committee.
If applicants have a public online portfolio, we highly encourage you to include a link to it in one or more of your pieces of content.
As part of the Interactive Media and Games Division applicant review process, applicants may be selected to have a remote video interview with faculty or staff. Not every applicant will be interviewed, and an interview is not required for admission. The window for the interview time may vary, so please keep an eye on the inbox of the email address used in your application for a request to schedule one (emails may go to your junk folder). Please respond to such requests within 72 hours.