The University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts (SCA)

The USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA), founded in 1929, is a world-renowned institution for film, television, and digital media education. Led by Dean Elizabeth Monk Daley, it houses eight academic divisions:

Divisions

  • Film & Television Production: Prepares students for careers in film and television production, with renowned faculty and industry connections.
  • Cinema & Media Studies: Focuses on film theory, criticism, and history, with notable faculty members like Todd Boyd and Drew Casper.
  • John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts: Teaches animation and digital arts, including character animation, visual effects, and motion capture.
  • Interactive Media & Games Division: Specializes in video game design and interactive media, consistently ranked as the top school for game design in North America by The Princeton Review.
  • Media Arts + Practice: Explores the use of media in diverse fields such as business, education, and urban planning.
  • John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television: Offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees in screenwriting, emphasizing small-group workshops and industry internships.
  • Peter Stark Producing Program: A two-year graduate program that prepares students for careers as film, television, and new media producers.
  • Expanded Animation Research + Practice Program: An MFA program that encourages artistic freedom and experimentation in animation, with a focus on emerging technologies.

Facilities

Thanks to generous donations, SCA boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including:

  • The School of Cinematic Arts Complex, featuring soundstages, theaters, and production centers.
  • The Interactive Building, home to the Interactive Media & Games Division, research labs, and Trojan Vision, USC's student television station.
  • The Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre Complex, featuring a 365-seat theater with THX audiovisual reproduction standards.

Distinctions

SCA has a long history of producing award-winning alumni. Since 1973, at least one SCA alumnus has been nominated for an Academy Award or Emmy Award annually, with numerous wins. The division has also been ranked the number one film program in the world by The Hollywood Reporter and USA Today.