About

Degree offered:

·        Master of Fine Arts

Peter Stark Program USC School of Cinematic Arts George Lucas Instructional Building Room 302 850 West 34th Street University Park Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211 Phone: 213.740.3304 Fax: 213.745.6652 pstark@cinema.usc.edu

Video Overview









Degree requirements and course descriptions are detailed in the USC Catalogue.


The Peter Stark Producing Program believes in the primacy of ideas and imagination. A producer is a creative originator, an entrepreneurial self-starter, whose initiating talent is recognizing ideas that have merit creatively and/or commercially.

The mission of the Peter Stark Program is to expose students to the full spectrum of the Entertainment business, enabling them to refine and define their individual career goals.  Our curriculum is designed to give our students the practical skills and knowledge by which they can accomplish their creative goals with integrity to their own values.

Starkie Stacey Sher '85 was one of the producers of  World Trade Center.

The curriculum places equal emphasis on the creative and the managerial, to enhance and develop artistic skills and ­judgment while providing a sound background in business essentials. Courses are continually updated to ensure that the Stark Program remains responsive and cutting-edge current.


The first class of Peter Stark graduates received M.F.A. degrees in 1981. Today, graduates are entrenched throughout the industry, as creative executives, in marketing, production, distribution and business affairs. Some are writers and directors, a few are agents, and, of course, many are producers. Stark graduates have won major awards, including Oscars, Emmys and Golden Globes.

Ray Stark, the late distinguished producer, and his wife, the late Frances Stark, made substantial early contributions to the program. For their generous, ongoing support, the program is named to honor their son Peter, who died in 1970.

The program was created and founded by the late A. D. Murphy who was its director until the end of 1989. He was succeeded by Charles M. Powell who served as director until his death. Since 1991, the program has been under the direction of producer Lawrence Turman.