April 19, 2012

Story @ SCA

Director of Think Like a Man Visits SCA

Alumnus Tim Story is known for his candor when he speaks to students at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. On April 17th, the director of Barbershop, Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer visited with students in the Ray Stark Theatre for the second year in a row, following a screening of his new film Think Like a Man. In the Q and A, he was frank with students about the amount of work it takes to be a working director.

Cachet Lamar and Tim Story in SCA 108

“Look for everything,” Story told the young filmmakers. “Watch movies that are close to what you want. Watch movies that aren’t close to what you want. Read the script over and over. Look for the visuals in magazines. The most important thing is to find something that’s true. True to you. I think, in my genre, which is comedy or dramedy, the truth is what really counts.”

The event was hosted by USC’s African American Cinema Society and moderated by Cachet Lamar, USC Production student and president of the organization. The African American Cinema Society (AACS)  is a USC cinema organization, started by USC Alums acclaimed director John Singleton and David L. Watts. AACS encourages a support system within the cinema school, provides networking opportunities, and offers programming relevant to entertainment and the community.

Story graduated from SCA in 1991. He went on to have a successful career directing music videos before making his feature film debut in 1997 with The Firing Squad. His widespread recognition came in 2002 with Barbershop.

“There’s a stamina [in filmmaking] that USC prepares you for,” said Story. “When you’re in film school, you’re all tired. You couldn’t get your hands on film. You had to ask friends for help. Somedays you would sleep and I took notes. If one of us had a day shoot and one had a night shoot, we would check out lights and share them. There’s a stamina in finishing. You learn how to finish and get it done at USC.”

For more information on Think Like a Man, please visit: http://www.thinklikeaman-movie.com/