USC Parents Thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>lexta - I’m so glad you found our story encouraging! I should also mention that my S is a Crit Studies major, so that makes it doubly wonderful that he’s been able to participate so fully in the production side of things. He gets the best of both worlds. I’m convinced that for a kid who is motivated, the SCA at USC makes anything possible. As for my initial concern about the academic side of things, he enrolled in Thematic Option and satisfied my own desire for him to experience a liberal arts education - LOL. He actually really liked TO, and I was happy that he got the experience of studying in an intense environment outside the film school. (Although he says a high percentage of TO students are film majors.)</p>

<p>I really hope your son gets in! If he does, you should look into Alaska Airlines. They don’t have student fares, but they have great sales. It’s awfully nice that my kids can fly up and down the west coast for about $70 each way, if we time it right.</p>

<p>And Hi to Madbean! You know I joined you on the dark side a long time ago, right?</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info and encouraging words Fauxmom! You just gave me something else to check out . . . “Thematic Option”?!? Sounds intriguing . . .</p>

<p>It’s great to hear that CS students can get very involved in film too. I know that even at the high school level, there are many film projects to help out on if your ds/dd is connected to other film buffs! I can’t imagine how many projects are going on at USC where crew help, etc. is needed. The possibilities are quite exciting for these students!</p>

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<p>lextalionis asked (way upthread): “There’s a certain amount of trepidation involved in the application process as the parent of a student who is determined to pursue a collegiate career in the arts. Is it easier for parents who themselves studied film or some other artistic discipline?”</p>

<p>Speaking as a parent who works in both the entertainment and publishing worlds, I see the rewards of creative careers as well as very clearly seeing the risks. If you drive around Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Hills, Brentwood, Malibu, Toluca Lake and Santa Monica (for example), you’ll see thousands and thousands of expensive homes. Fortunes made in the entertainment business. From story editors to animators to music moguls, from production executives to network programmers to screenwriters. To talent agents. To those who own post-production facilities, costume shops, international film marketing firms, etc. There are thousands of jobs in these film/tv-related fields. For parents who haven’t worked around this industry, I can imagine it sounds “unreal.” However, these careers are very real and fuel a huge economy. What they are not, however, is stable, predictable, or college degree-or-GPA dependent. </p>

<p>In other words, no one can guarantee that the top grad from the top program will get the top career (as, perhaps, ibankers and pre-law types can hope to predict). For parents spending $$ on UG educations, it is unnerving to watch our kids go off in this direction. FWIW, the person who does best in Hollywood is often the one with 1) the most drive, 2) the most talent which he/she can harness, and/or 3) the best luck. Parents can often gauge our S or D’s drive (passion). We can sometimes gauge their talent (especially if they have won awards, received recognition, etc). And as for luck…? If the family has solid gold connections to the top of the Hollywood food chain–that can help! If not, having a degree from USC SCA or other top program is a very strong step leading to networking, internships, mentoring and learning how to schmooze and put one’s portfolio/reel together. The SCA will also help students harness their talents, as well as brand them. Like attending Harvard, those accepted to this highly selective talent-based film production program come out with a bit of prestige. But when all is said and done, the name on their diploma will only get their feet in the door of the major studios. It’s talent, drive, right-place-at-the-right-time, and–oftentimes–being the lucky intern who is doing coverage (reading script submissions for higher execs) at a major studio and discovers the screenplay to the next “Slumdog Millionaire.”</p>

<p>For some students with real passion for the arts and who have excelled in arts based projects and classes in the past, this is the major and career they dream of and for which they are best suited. Even for parents wishing for a more prudent path, we have raised independent, smart, focused kids who know what they want to do. </p>

<p>I have worked in television for many years. I did not have a degree in film production, nor did I attend a college anyone on CC would look at twice. LOL. It didn’t stop me in any way from achieving my goals. However, I have 2 talented and highly motivated S’s, the oldest is a junior at USC SCA. His education there kind of leaves me speechless. Not only the coursework–my S1 is also in Thematic Option honors program and has had a fabulous and rigorous LAC experience in those courses; and in his SCA classes (his professor in last semester’s film production class won an Oscar for cinematography for “Rosemary’s Baby”), but in the amazing peers–a group of highly articulate and focused kids, and in the endless opportunities for internships. </p>

<p>While many in SCA choose to stay at USC for the full four years, some do graduate earlier (with the help of AP credits), and a few–like my S1–do study abroad as well. </p>

<p>We’re happy to see you here posting questions. And happy to provide our own experiences if they help at all.</p>

<p>Best of luck as we wait for admissions…it’s a long wait!!</p>

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<p>Wow madbean! Thank you SO much for your reply! It is so helpful to read about your experiences in your own entertainment career as well as your son’s experiences at the SCA. Congratulations on your all of your accomplishments as well as your son’s.</p>

<p>It’s also great to read about the caliber of professors at the SCA. These professors must have a strong sense of “giving back” to their industry and of mentoring the next generation of filmmakers. </p>

<p>I honestly can say that my sense of “trepidation” lessens with each post from knowledgeable SCA parents. As you say madbean, the “drive” has to come from the student, and I have no doubt that DS2 has that in spades. My bigger concerns relate to the “practical” aspects of obtaining a degree in the arts. The more I look into the possibilities of what can be accomplished with a degree from USC, the more I share my son’s passion for wanting to go there!</p>

<p>DS2 doesn’t read these posts (too busy living his busy life like your kids I bet!), but I do pass along the key info, so again I really appreciate it. </p>

<p>Go Trojans! (that’s becoming easier to do with each passing day!)</p>

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<p>Great post, Madbean.</p>

<p>lex, at the risk of this thread becoming too SCA-centric , I’ll just add that I’ve realized the film degree - or at least the film school education and network - may actually be more practical than the generic degrees I and so many of my friends earned, in poli sci, history, English. In this economy, there are few degrees that are predictably valuable, so I figure it’s a good time to pursue film. </p>

<p>Your son might like this example of the kinds of projects SCA students get to work on outside of class: [Doritos®</a> and Pepsi MAX® Present: CRASH THE SUPER BOWL](<a href=“http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/gallery/?video=8371]Doritos®”>http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/gallery/?video=8371) Push skip in the upper right corner to zoom past the intro. The commercial is amazingly professional work, I think (hope you’re not offended; it’s a tiny bit racy). The director is a grad student who invited my son to be on the crew, after having worked with him on other projects.</p>

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<p>lextalionis, I’ll add another plug for Thematic Option - daughter says her favorite classes her first two years were her TO classes, and that she is convinced there is not a higher-quality education available anywhere. There are many great things about TO, but the most important for her was the amazing group of students with whom she found herself. And to avoid SCA-centrism, she is in CLAS (though she added an SCA minor :slight_smile: , so we are only a bit off-center).</p>

<p>Welcome!!!</p>

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<p>FauxNom, thanks for the link to the USC ad contest submission. I agree it’s a little racy, but very professionally done and very funny! As you suggested, I had my son check it out. Not surprisingly, he didn’t think it was too racy and he certainly wishes he could have been at the shoot too! Working on that crew must have been a fantastic experience for your son. I’ll certainly keep my eye out for the “Boys Night In” Doritios ad during the Super Bowl!</p>

<p>Alamemom, thank you so much for the TO info and the welcome! Your posts are incredibly informative and helpful. Fingers crossed I’ll be “hanging out” on the USC Parents’ Thread past April!!!</p>

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<p>A quick update and more praises about USC:</p>

<p>Just about to make my LAST tuition payment for S2 (3rd of 3 total)… not bittersweet- I’m so excited for my son! Both Trojan sons majored in Business: Entrepreneurship and Finance. S1 got his first job from one of his professors at Marshall then worked for a hedge fund for about 4 years. He just left to start his own business. He’s got a long hard road ahead of him, but still networks with literally hundreds of Trojan friends. S2 has an Internship he got through one of his classes and hopes it can turn into a full time job by May of 2011.</p>

<p>So my opinion of USC education… As I already mentioned, Internships and jobs are available through the Trojan network. Both sons were truly inspired by the Marshall experience and I hardly recognize them from their crazy high school days. The Entrepreneur program taught them to think outside the box. They both are prepared to take on life in this tough economy and are not afraid of it. Along with incredible professors and a well-designed program of classes, the other students around them were very influential. It’s true that this is the cream of the crop, the go-getters, the men-and-women-of-the-mind. My kids were so fortunate to work with this ambitious group. </p>

<p>College Confidential’s USC forum has grown immensely since I started here many years ago. I haven’t checked EVERY college’s forum, but I am absolutely convinced that this one has the best parents and students here to help new applicants and their parents. Alamemom cannot receive enough praises- I am in awe of her ability to calmly and precisely communicate. I think USC should pay her. The other regulars here are also invaluable- I hesitate to mention names because I’m sure I’ll miss someone important, but you know who you are.</p>

<p>Although I retired from answering questions here (it’s a 12-step program and I am still a recovering addict- I learned I can’t even take a sip), I still love to sneak around and watch the excitement. There’s no way all the cats will ever be herded, but it’s so fun watching everyone try!</p>

<p>Fight On!</p>

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<p>cc441, thanks for another great update from a cc veteran!</p>

<p>In this economy especially, contacts in the business world are critical. It must be great to know that your sons will have the “Trojan Family” behind them as they start their business ventures. Best of luck to your sons!</p>

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<p>I just have to chime in and say that Alamemom is an absolute doll! I couldn’t have made it through the nail-biting admissions wait without her (made much worse when your kid KNOWS USC is his first choice from the get go), not to mention the countless questions we had after that point. Okay, STILL have! Three cheers for the un-lamest mom I know.</p>

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<p>Agreed 100% jazz/shreddermom!</p>

<p>On one of the other threads, I believe, one of the prospective students enthusiastically exclaimed, “Alamemom for President!” I’d campaign for her in a heart beat. :)</p>

<p>So un-lame is alamemom, that I choose to pronounce her screen name “A-la-may-mom” (phonetic) instead! Three cheers for alamemom!</p>

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<p>Awwwww… and I loved this thread already!!! My very first post on College Confidential is on the first page of this thread :)</p>

<p>Thanks for the name change, but my three kids might argue that dressed in *lam</p>

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<p>Since I’m on some of the earlier pages from several years ago, I thought I’d update you on the son. His movie did not get made. Despite promises of 7 million dollars in funding it seems no one wanted to make a horror movie about the war in Iraq where lots of American soldiers die. They didn’t even want to do it when they changes the soldiers to contractors. </p>

<p>He has had several jobs most of which were a bad fit and suffered from mid-20s angst. He now seems to have found something he really likes and appears to be good at. Since October he is working as a contractor for [Jetset</a> Studios | What Awesome is Made Of](<a href=“http://www.jetsetstudios.com/]Jetset”>http://www.jetsetstudios.com/) writing and directing videos aimed at advertising movies. Hopefully they’ll bring him on permanently in the new year. Can’t point you to anything he has done. </p>

<p>Most of his close friends in LA are those he made in film school at USC. They still work on projects together trying to hit it big. And, he has a girlfriend, who we are going to meet over Christmas when they come to visit.</p>

<p>It’s tough out there for the young ones. College success doesn’t always translate to immediate success in the job market especially for the artsy kids.</p>

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<p>A fun parent thread for potential new USC parents!</p>

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<p>Maybe I can revive this thread. </p>

<p>I’m home-schooled. I’m some crazy religious fanatic, but I am a Christian. I really enjoy film in every aspect possible. I have looked at many colleges, and USC stands out as the brightest. Do any of yall have advice for a teenager who aspires to major in film production, and is non-traditionally schooled?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>BTW, I don’t know it this helps, but I live in Texas. Thank you again :)</p>

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<p>lol, my last post I put that I am a crazy religious fanatic. I meant to say: I’m not some crazy religious fanatic.</p>

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<p>Just wanted to suggest that one of you start Facebook group for USC parents Class of 2015. Here is the link to our USC Parents Class of 2014 one - it’s been an invaluable resource on many topics:</p>

<p><a href=“Facebook Public Group | Facebook”>Facebook Public Group | Facebook;

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<p>Ok…had to chime in about daughters’ USC experience. Oldest daughter graduated in film…three years ago in May. Is the assistant to one of the most powerful men in one side of the business. Has formed, with a partner, a production company. DGA’s several projects…two are in a production company that puts up capital. Her boss hired one other female who was older. He vowed NEVER to hire a girl. Hired my daughter, but he thought that she was 5 years older. Boy, was he surprised when he found out she was 22! My son got her the initial job in the mailroom because he’s in the business. SC’s education helped her to keep the job.</p>

<p>Baby d has an internship in her field of interest. LOVES the internship. There is another SC girl there as well. The other girl recommended my daughter for the internship. GUESS WHAT?! Both of them are now paid interns AND are offered full time jobs at graduation.</p>

<p>Fight on!</p>

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<p>How wonderful, ellebud! I love reading such inspiring stories. You have raised really pro-active, talented and savvy young adults who will be RUNNING Hollywood in a few years. I’ll make sure my sons send them their resumes!</p>

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<p>madbean: Absolutely! We always try to hire in the family, biological AND Trojan. </p>

<p>And that is what the Trojan Family is about.</p>

<p>(and I could tell you about a modeling job one daughter did…went in and booked it. No callback. First job. The casting agent? A Trojan.)</p>