Outside the Box [Office] invites you and a guest to attend
 

A Special Theatrical Screening of the Pilot Episode of

VALLEY DAZE

Created by Jocelynn Catt and Genu Lee
Directed by SCA Alumnus Marco Bizio
Produced by David Dastmalchian

Followed by a Q&A with Jocelynn Catt, Genu Lee, and Marco Bizio

7:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 16th, 2026

The Ray Stark Family Theater, SCA 108
George Lucas Building, USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex
900 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089

FREE ADMISSION. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVPs REQUIRED.

FOOD AND DRINKS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN THE AUDITORIUM.
 

CLICK HERE TO RSVP
 

About Valley Daze

Valley Daze follows a group of Gen-Z teenagers struggling to find their path in a world that feels more online, disconnected, and doomed than ever… All while navigating the chaos of the San Fernando Valley. More than just a screening, this premiere is a celebration of the Valley, featuring live local bands, community vendors, and more. It’s a night to honor creativity, local culture, and the spirit of indie filmmaking. Considering the fact that this is a grassroots project, powered by crowdfunding and grants, this event hopes to encourage young artists to tell authentic stories – especially in the midst of these uncertain times in our industry.

Running time: 50 minutes.

https://www.instagram.com/valley_daze/

About the Guests

Jocelyn Catt is a 24-year-old multiracial screenwriter with a passion for telling queer stories in every sense of the word. A Los Angeles native, she pursued a career in film fresh out of high school, working her way up to being an assistant director while simultaneously studying Communications at Santa Monica College, serving as a caregiver for aging parents, and leading her band on several regional tours. Living at the intersection of so many identities, Jocelyn is devoted to exploring empathetic, deeply human stories about subcultures, underdogs, and outsiders, especially those originating from under-represented communities or people whose experiences have otherwise gone unheard. Outside of work, Jocelyn has a passion for studying both art and military history, and enjoys playing music with her band Skirtboy whenever she gets the chance.

Genu Lee is a writer, producer, and musician whose work is rooted in the San Fernando Valley. His band, Skirtboy, has performed at venues across California. A graduate of Cornell University, Genu has built a career in film and television, working on productions including Universal's Sunset PI, Frozen at The Muny, and Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer. He is currently producing Waiting in the Tall Grass and Downtown Bus, the latter starring Danny Trejo and Gary Busey.

Marco Bizio is a Los Angeles-based director, writer, producer, and editor. A 2022 graduate of USC's School of Cinematic Arts, he has built a diverse body of work spanning music videos, commercials, and narrative filmmaking. Marco was a co-writer on Carlos Lopez Estrada's Summertime, which opened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020. Among his most recognized directing credits is the music video for singer-songwriter Kinneret's "No Wind Resistance," which has garnered more than 10 million views on YouTube. Most recently, Marco served as Head Commercial Director at South of LA, where he directed campaigns for major brands, including Amazon. In 2023, Marco directed Valley Daze, a one-hour television pilot produced by David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil). Since its completion, the project has sold out multiple theatrical screenings, including presentations at the historic Million Dollar Theater in Downtown, Los Angeles and the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. In recognition of the project's authentic portrayal of the San Fernando Valley, members of the production team received Certificates of Recognition from the Los Angeles City Council. Following its successful theatrical run, Valley Daze was featured on the front page of IndieWire. Marco is currently developing Valley Daze as a television series alongside writers Jocelyn Catt and Genu Lee. The team has officially partnered with Grapple, a production company rooted in community-based storytelling.

About Outside the Box [Office]

Outside the Box [Office] is a weekly showcase for upcoming releases highlighting world cinema, documentary and independent film titles. The series draws from around the globe to present movies that may challenge, inspire or simply entertain.

To view the calendar of screenings, click here

To SUBSCRIBE to our MAILING LIST for upcoming free screenings and events, e-mail the word "Subscribe" to: aago@cinema.usc.edu
 

Check-In & Reservations

This program is open to all eligible individuals. The USC School of Cinematic Arts operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

This screening is free of charge and open to the public. A reservation confirmation will automatically be sent to your e-mail account upon successfully making an RSVP through this website. Doors will open at 6:30 P.M.

All SCA screenings are OVERBOOKED to ensure seating capacity in the theater, therefore seating is not guaranteed based on RSVPs. The RSVP list will be checked in on a first-come, first-served basis until the theater is full. Once the theater has reached capacity, we will no longer be able to admit guests, regardless of RSVP status.

Accessibility Needs

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Alessandro Ago, Assistant Dean, Programming and Special Events, at aago@cinema.usc.edu or 213-740-2330. It is requested that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least seven days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.

Parking

On-campus parking at the University of Southern California is limited. We recommend buying a day pass for the Royal Street Structure, located at the intersection of Royal Street and W. Jefferson Blvd. Parking passes are $20/car. For more information about parking at USC, please visit USC Transportation Website:

https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/daily-and-hourly-parking/
https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/about-us/entrance-hours/

Contact Information

Name: Alessandro Ago
Email: aago@cinema.usc.edu