Usc sca questions

Zelda_Fitzgerald
Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:36:02 +0000

@Zelda: I will see what the decision is before I think about minoring in screenwriting. I am probably the most dedicated person I know and when attending USC will have no other commitments other than writing (no plans on joining sports teams, greek life, etc) My concern about the minoring would be not having the resources that the SCA has to offer. I want the full packages of opportunities that come with the film school.



OK let me give you some facts here:

Out of the 23 students in my BFA year, only ONE was in a sorority. Another ONE student was in the marching band. The rest of us? No sports teams, no greek life, etc. The program makes you VERY unable to do anything outside of writing.

You don’t think all 23 of us were dedicated? I’m slightly insulted that, because I ultimately reflect upon my decision to enroll in SCA negatively, you interpreted that as a lack of interest or dedication to the craft of writing. That assumptive attitude would make you a lot of enemies in the film program.

I don’t think you’re familiar with the minor program. You would get the same exact resources all the major students get. What you won’t have to do is all the classes the film school forces you to take that, in no way, shape or form, improve your skills as a storyteller. Those classes ALL of us agreed were a complete waste of time and were used to pad out credits. When you minor, you take the SAME set of writing classes as the majors with the SAME professors. Sometimes, they’re segregated between majors/minors, but many of my upper level WST classes had screenwriting minors in them. When you enroll in a less credit-heavy major, you’d be able to take as many film electives as you’d like.

I’ll leave you with this: Out of the 23 students who graduated in my year (May 2010) only ONE is working in a writing-related job as a Writer’s PA on a television show. A handful (maybe 4? 5?) are working in non-creative entertainment industry positions (such as agent or producer assistants – doesn’t get you writing jobs, BTW) while another handful are working in general “writing related” jobs outside of the industry (journalism, marketing, etc.). The rest are unemployed, many living back home with their families.

The class before ours? (2009) ONE girl has made it as a professional screenwriter. Otherwise, the stats are generally the same.

Like I said, it’s your choice – but these are all things I wish someone had told me before I enrolled in SCA. I loved USC as a school, but the writing program killed my chances at a well-rounded education. The general consensus amongst my peers was that we weren’t allowed to explore classes that would enrich our writing outside of the film school, and as such, we didn’t emerge the best writers we could be.

Production students kind of get the same cards dealt to them. Really competitive, really based on professor favoritism.

Actually, the most successful SCA students I know are Critical Studies or Interactive majors. All of my friends from these concentrations ended up with fabulous jobs or fellowships after graduation.