Only At SCA: 5 Unforgettable Classes You Can’t Take Anywhere Else
by Benjamin Pola
The USC School of Cinematic Arts stands apart not only as the world’s leading media school with an alumni network of over 18,000 professionals across the entertainment industry but also for its exclusive courses offered nowhere else. With a faculty of industry experts and a curriculum that evolves alongside the fast-paced entertainment landscape, SCA is committed to shaping the next generation of innovators and filmmakers.
Here are five courses that are only available at SCA:
1. How They Made It - "Barbie" a Warner Bros. Movie
Barbie movie poster.
When industry phenomena arise, SCA quickly integrates them into its curriculum to ensure students are prepared for any challenge in their careers. For example, following the historic success of Barbie - with its record-breaking box office and global impact—SCA partnered with Warner Bros. and Mattel, Inc. to develop a course examining the film's journey from concept to development. Led by SCA Professors Gail Katz and Susan Cartsonis, the course explored the balance of creativity and business in film production. The syllabus featured guest lectures from Warner Bros. and Mattel executives, along with a special visit from writer-director Greta Gerwig, who shared insights into the process of creating a global blockbuster.
2. The Advanced Game Project
Students testing games at the USC Games Expo.
USC Games is a premier program at USC dedicated to the art of game design, a collaboration between the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. In the Advanced Game Project course, students work in teams to refine and complete a fully functional digital game, ready for web distribution or submission to independent game festivals. Throughout the semester, students collaborate with leading industry faculty and partners to fine-tune their projects, culminating in a presentation at the annual USC Games Expo in May. The event attracts major industry executives and partners, offering students the rare opportunity to showcase their projects and receive direct feedback from potential employers and future collaborators.
3. Animation for Projection Mapping and Live Performance
Students showcase projects in the Ganek Immersive Studio.
The John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts explores the evolving world of animation, emphasizing the integration of cutting-edge technologies into students' creative work. Led by Professor Jordan Halsey, Director of the Ganek Immersive Studio, USC's XR Lab, this course offers hands-on experience in projection mapping and immersive animation. Students develop professional skills and workflows, creating innovative content while collaborating on a final showcase displayed to the SCA community and industry partners at the end of the year.
4. Dreams, the Brain, and Storytelling
Mary Sweeney, the new Chair of the John Wells Division of Screenwriting for Film & Television, has introduced a groundbreaking course that explores the intersection of brain science, creativity, neuroscience, and storytelling. By understanding these connections, students can refine their creative processes and unlock new sources of inspiration to enhance their storytelling. Through lectures, screenings, and dream-logging exercises, students will participate in creative exercises designed to strengthen their ability to craft compelling stories across today’s diverse entertainment mediums—from streaming and television to blockbuster films. While distribution channels may have evolved, the core principles of effective storytelling remain timeless, and this course is designed to help students tap into those foundational skills on a deeper level.
5. Global Media
Advances in technology and global connectivity have propelled entertainment industries worldwide to reach levels comparable to Hollywood. As a result, understanding the globalization of media is more important than ever. Led by Dr. Nitin Govil, a leading Global Media scholar and SCA Professor, this course explores the aesthetic, political, cultural, and ethical dimensions of media globalization. It examines a broad range of historical and contemporary media, focusing on the connections between media forms, practices, and institutions across both local and global contexts.
The USC School of Cinematic Arts is dedicated to the success of our students and alumni, and introducing new courses is one way we keep our students at the forefront of industry developments. To learn more about our programs, please visit: cinema.usc.edu