Philip Messina

Adjunct Faculty

213.740.3317

LUC 404

An award-winning filmmaker who has produced, written, and/or directed dozens of non-theatrical and documentary films, as well as over sixty television commercials, Philip Messina brings his background in art, special effects, cinematography to his general and intermediate production courses at USC.

Messina's credits include writing and directing the theatrical motion picture With Friends Like These (1998), which garnered top honors in festivals throughout the world including the Best Of The Fest Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Best Director Award at the Aspen Comedy Arts Festival. His many screenplays include Brainstorm (1983), and Original Sin (1989). He also wrote and directed the highly successful USA Cable movie Spy (1989).

His 1970 film Skezag, the acclaimed documentary feature, considered one of the most powerful anti-drug films ever made, won a host of awards and was honored by a special invitational screening on Capitol Hill. He also directed over thirty episodes of the highly praised Disney Cable Television series, Welcome To Pooh Corner  (1983-1995), and Dumbo's Circus (1985).