International Applications Deadline extended to April 1st, 11:59 PM PST Due to popular demand, the deadline for international applications has been extended to April 1st, 11:59 PM PST.
Important Notice:
- Students may only take a maximum of 8 units.
- Students cannot take more than one production course.
- Students cannot take a production course with any of the feature writing courses.
- Students cannot take more than one feature writing course.
- No auditing courses.
- The SCA Summer Program courses are intended for students not currently enrolled at USC/SCA
- USC/SCA students will not be granted D-Clearance for SCA Summer Program courses.
The Insider: Launching Your Career in Film and Television - 4 Units
Units: 4
Student Level: All
Jun 23 - Aug 1 Apply
In-Person (Ages 16+)
Schedule: Mon/Wed 5:00pm - 8:50pm
Max. Seats: 30
Faculty: John Palmer
Related Courses
You may also enjoy one of the following courses:
- Action Film Production - 4 Units
- Digital Cinematography - 4 Units
- Horror Film Production - 4 Units
- Music Video Production - 4 Units
- Producing and Directing Your First Indie Feature - 4 Units
- Writing Blockbuster Features that Can Change the World - 4 Units
- Writing the Comedy TV Series - 4 Units
- Writing the Dramatic TV Series - 4 Units
- Writing the First Draft Feature Screenplay - 4 Units
About the Class
Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of entertainment with this six-week symposium, designed to explore every facet of the industry—from feature films to episodic series, scripted to unscripted content, and major studios to independent productions. This course is your opportunity to learn how to navigate the business side of entertainment with a creative edge, covering everything from development and production to marketing and distribution. With a strong focus on uncovering your unique path as a creative professional, the course offers invaluable insights through instructor-led lectures and in-depth discussions with guest speakers—renowned industry insiders who are actively shaping the future of entertainment.
Course Objectives
Throughout the course, you’ll engage with a series of expert guest speakers and tackle key topics, including:
- Cracking the Studio System and Agency Networks: Gain insider knowledge on how to navigate the complex studio system and build connections within agency networks.
- Building a Sustainable and Impactful Independent Career: Learn strategies for creating a lasting and influential career in the independent sector.
- Mastering Diverse Development Processes: Understand the various development processes for different types of content, from initial concept to final script.
- Giving and Receiving Powerful, Constructive Critiques: Develop the skills to provide and receive feedback that can significantly improve your work.
- Crafting Strategic Production Plans: Learn how to create detailed and effective production plans that ensure your projects run smoothly.
- Analyzing Markets and Audiences to Stay Ahead: Discover techniques for analyzing market trends and audience preferences to keep your projects relevant and engaging.
- Navigating Modern Distribution Models: Explore the latest distribution models, from traditional methods to self-distribution, and learn how to choose the best path for your projects.
The course will guide you through the entire journey of “setting up” a project—from sparking an original idea to crafting a compelling pitch, developing a solid production plan, and delivering your work to eager audiences.
Guest Speakers from Previous Years
Gain insights from industry leaders who have previously shared their expertise, including:
- Sarah Broshar – Film Editor, West Side Story (2021)
- Luke Rivett – Manager, Anonymous Content
- Phil Augusta Jackson – Writer/Producer/Actor, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- Vincent Scordino – Head of Marketing, Amazon Studios
- Jess Carson – Writer/Director, The Papers; The Flash
- Kat Candler – Writer/Director/Showrunner; Hellion; Queen Sugar
- Nate Bolotin – Foreign Sales, XYZ Films
- Dave Kajganich – Writer/Producer; The Terror; Bones & All
- Elijah Wood – Actor/Producer; Lord Of the Rings Trilogy; Mandy; SpectreVision
- Robert Maitia – Writer/Producer; American Dad; M.O.D.O.K.
- Adam Nee – Writer/Director/Producer/Actor; Band of Robbers; Drunk History; Lost City
- Habib Zargarpour – VFX Supervisor; Blade Runner 2049; Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania; The Jungle Book (2016)
Additional Information
- All dates and times are subject to change.
- Additional tutorials may be taught outside scheduled class hours.
Join us in this transformative journey and discover how to turn your passion for entertainment into a successful career. The world of entertainment is vast and full of opportunities—let this course be your guide to navigating and thriving in it!