By Benjamin Pola

This summer, the Business of Cinematic Arts (BCA) Program—the collaboration between SCA and the USC Marshall School of Business—created a first of its kind course for its sophomore class and traveled to London to explore the international entertainment industry, expanding their networks and perspectives on a global scale. The BCA cohort comprised of twenty sophomores enrolled in the BCA Entertainment Practicum and taught by Assistant Dean and John H. Mitchell Endowed Chair for the Business of Entertainment, Bonnie Chi. 

The trip, which took two years to develop, is part of Marshall’s Global Programs and Partnerships. It was packed with studio visits, industry guest speakers, and a creative project that students developed and pitched during their time abroad. Students had classroom sessions at the prestigious National Film and Television School (NFTS) and visited top studios including Warner Bros. Studio, Netflix UK, Pinewood Studios, and more. They even had the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at a live set and ask questions during a special tour led by BCA alum Mary Livanos ‘14, an Executive Producer at Marvel.

This trip not only broadened students’ understanding of the global entertainment industry, but also underscored the power of collaboration and cross-campus partnerships. BCA students were learning and networking alongside Marshall MBA students, while also developing original projects in teams for a capstone. Drawing inspiration from industry guest speakers and studio visits, each team crafted thoughtful, well-developed concepts that were then pitched to the team of faculty and staff on this trip: Professor Bonnie Chi, Professor Marion Philadelphia (Marshall), Patrick Fritz  (SCA) and Ally Fitz (Marshall), all of whom provided feedback and guidance throughout the process, giving students a realistic look at the professional pitch process.

Although the entertainment business is infamous for being a difficult industry to break into, experiences such as the BCA London trip offers SCA students a distinct competitive edge. The opportunities gave the aspiring creatives a global perspective, real world experience, and industry insight that will help them to stand out.  

To learn more about the Business of Cinematic Arts Program, visit: https://cinema.usc.edu/ir/bca.cfm