Join us for the USC Comedy Festival, Vol. 7

Spotlight Stories

SCA Hosts Panel on AI and the Future of Media

AI Panel
Event Profile

USC Student Films Win Big at Cannes

Cannes Film Festival
Film Profile

The iconic actress/filmmaker sits down with SCA

Paula Patton
Alumni Profile

Victor Longin's Headshot
Alumni Profile: Victor Longin
April 30, 2025

Victor Longin ‘25 brought a unique passion, expertise, and point-of-view on international film to his two years in the Peter Stark Producing Program

Screenshot from Cannes Classics blog landing page
SCA Students Attend The Cannes Classics for the 4th Year Running!
April 30, 2025

Four years ago, Cassidy had a conversation with the director of the Cannes Classics section of the Cannes Festival that led to something pretty special – the USC Cannes Classic Blog.

Headshot of Matt Chenuz smiling directly at the camera
Small-Town Canadian Filmmaker Makes Leap to USC's Peter Stark Producing Program
April 30, 2025

When Matt Chenuz set his sights on becoming a successful film and television producer, he knew he would have to leave Canada to make it happen. So, he made a bold move and applied to what he called the “best producing program in the world” – the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Woman with apple headset on testing VR projects
The Ganek Immersive Studio Hosts 2nd Annual Student Showcase at SCA
April 30, 2025

On April 24, 2025, the Ganek Immersive Studio at the USC School of Cinematic Arts presented the second annual Student Immersive Showcase on campus. The event featured thirteen projects at all stages of completion, underscoring the Studio’s emphasis on innovation and discovery.

Still shot from film Didi of main character looking straight at the camera
The Movie Case Studies Class (CTPR: 386) Takes an SCA Approach
April 30, 2025

When Producer and adjunct professor John Ira Palmer (September 5, Flag Day) took over the long running movie case study class (which was originated and taught for many years by Prof. Jason Squire), he thought long and hard about how he could put his own spin on the offering.

Alex Burunova
Alumni Profile: Alex Burunova
April 23, 2025

USC School of Cinematic Arts alum Alex Burunova wants her films to have a timeless quality. Her hope is that, by combining her skills as a filmmaker and painter, she can bring viewers into her lyrical, universal stories and hopefully inspire the next generation to fearlessly tell their truth.
 

A headshot of Brenda Goodman
Brenda Goodman: Shaping SCA Storytellers Through Listening
April 11, 2025

Production Faculty Professor Brenda Goodman looks back at her time at SCA

Headshot of filmmaker and SCA alum  Rebecca Eskreis
An Oscar-Nominated Short is a Great Example of Alumna Rebecca Eskreis’ Approach to Filmmaking
February 27, 2025

The short documentary A Lien, which is nominated in the narrative shorts category at this weekend’s Academy Awards, spotlights a harrowing episode in the life of Oscar Gomez, an undocumented American or “Dreamer” in search of the chance to rectify his status as a citizen.

SCA Professor Howard Rodman at the 2025 USC Libraries Scripter Award
Howard Rodman Honored at Scripter Awards
February 27, 2025

Howard Rodman, professor in the John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television, was the recipient of the Ex Libris Award at the USC Libraries Scripter Awards which was held on Saturday February 22 at Town & Gown.

French game designer, Muriel Tramis, and Dean Daley at USC Games Black History Month Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony.
USC Games Awards Inaugural Lifetime Achievement to Trailblazing Game Designer Muriel Tramis
February 27, 2025

During the USC Games Black History Month Speaker Series, Dean Daley honored Muriel Tramis, the first credited Black female game designer, with the USC Games Lifetime Achievement Award.

Image of SCA entrance
Nominations for SCA Diversity Awards Now Open!
January 30, 2025

Each year, the SCA Council on Diversity & Inclusion recognizes an SCA student from each academic unit for their work on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

3 men in a barbershop from the USC student Doritos commercial
USC student filmmakers could make Super Bowl history with Doritos ad contest
January 16, 2025

Undergraduates Zach Shenouda and Ryan Robinson are the latest School of Cinematic Arts filmmakers in line to win the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl ad competition with a spot called Barbershop. But while past winners have all been alumni, Shenouda, Robinson and their team would be the youngest ever to win the big prize!

Holiday Magic on Screen: Must-Watch Films from USC Alumni to Add to Your Watchlist
December 11, 2024

Our alumni have helped bring some of the most memorable holiday classics to life, and they’re still creating new stories that will make lasting memories for years to come. Check out this list of holiday films to add to your watch-list this season.

Like Movies that Matter? Check out this year’s MISC List
December 9, 2024

Every year, USC MISC (Media Institute for Social Change) helps us identify the best Social Change films, and the issues they do a great job at addressing. Check them out in theatres and on steaming platforms.

SCA Students Master IMAX Filmmaking in Alabama Hills Workshop
December 9, 2024

This past October, twenty-two SCA students traveled to the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area to participate in a class workshop to learn how to shoot with IMAX film and digital cameras.

Larry Auerbach leaning again a small ladder with a coffee cup
Remembering Larry Auerbach
December 2, 2024

Larry Auerbach, who established the SCA Office of Industry Relations and led it for 25 years, has died. He was 95.

An SCA Alumnus' Inspiring Journey as a Social Impact Creator
October 31, 2024

SCA alum Wubetu Shimelash '23, who grew up as a shepherd in Ethiopia, leverages his cultural heritage to create impactful stories in Hollywood amidst a growing openness to international perspectives. 

From Sloan Grant to Oscar Contender: SCA Student Film Makes Waves Ahead of 2024 Awards
October 31, 2024

SCA spoke with one of last year's Sloan grant recipients, Zhongyu (Robin) Wang, about his recent film, Neither Donkey Nor Horse, which won a 2024 Student Academy Award and is eligible for the 97th Academy Awards for Best Live Action Short.

Haunting the Screen: USC Cinematic Arts Alumni in Horror
October 31, 2024

In celebration of the spooky season, here is a list of 10 must-watch SCA horror films to add to your favorites!
 

SCA Partners with Nikon and RED to Equip Future Filmmakers with Cutting-Edge Cameras and Lenses
October 3, 2024

Nikon and RED collaborate with SCA to uplift the next generation of filmmakers.

From Fan to Filmmaker: SCA Senior Flint Tanquary’s USC Legacy Comes Full Circle
September 25, 2024

School of Cinematic Arts Senior Flint Tanquary has mastered the art of the jumbotron hype video.
 

Barnet Kellman Donates Archives to SCA 
September 19, 2024

The renowned directing professor’s collections will give insight to the television business of the last fifty years.

SCA Teams Up with Scopely's Black Employee Resource Group to Bring High School Gamers to USC
September 18, 2024

Two students from Augustus F. Hawkins High School took the game design class in the SCA summer program through funding donated in part by the Black Employee Resource Group at game design company Scopely.

The African Creative TV Program Launches at SCA
September 18, 2024

In July, the American Film Showcase at USC launched the African Creative TV Initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, welcoming established African television creators for writing workshops to develop eight high-quality projects over the year.

The John H. Mitchell Scholars Summit Debuts at USC
September 18, 2024

SCA alumnus and entertainment executive Bill Allen, trustee of the Mitchell Trusts, emphasized the endowment's goal of fostering connections among Mitchell scholars across USC, UCLA and University of Michigan, leading to a full-day summit at USC for their inaugural gathering.

Stark Producing Program Grad Shane D. Stanger Makes "Good Bad Things" Movie
August 15, 2024

Five months into the Peter Stark Producing Program, entrepreneur-turned-filmmaker Shane D. Stanger '23 had not yet decided what story to tell in his thesis project. "Had I not come to Stark, I don't think I would have had the time or patience to pursue directing," says Stanger.