Peter Stark Producing Program Graduate Requirements
Degree requirements and course descriptions are detailed in the USC Catalogue.
The Peter Stark Producing Program is an innovative two-year (four semesters), full-time graduate program designed to prepare a select group of highly motivated, imaginative, students for careers as independent film and television producers or as executives.
Admission is once a year in the fall. Approximately 25 Peter Stark Program students are enrolled each year. The curriculum emphasizes both the managerial and the creative side of producing.
The Peter Stark Program is structured and sequential. All students are full-time graduate students, and must complete the designated program in order. There are no electives.
A minimum of 44 units of 500-level courses is required. There are no prerequisites. Students are required to take a two-semester sequence of production courses, the first semester, in their first year which covers the basic principles of visual communication. While taking CMPP 541L during the second semester, students work in teams of four, making two 16mm non-synchronous sound films which are generally 8-10 minutes long. Equipment for both courses is provided by the school.
The short films have become increasingly sophisticated, in some cases winning festival awards. The films are showcased the following fall with a screening and reception in Norris Theatre. Cast, crew, family, friends and program graduates are invited to view the finished work. The Peter Stark Filmmaker Award, instituted in 2002 by Program Director, Lawrence Turman, is given to the team whose film is voted “best picture” by the class, the new incoming class, instructors, and program administrators. The winners are engraved on a permanent plaque in the Stark Office.
An internship period between school years gives students an opportunity to observe actual producing and executive operations with participating independent producers and film companies. The internship period is eight weeks during the months of May, June and July. Internships are subject to availability and the student's academic performance in the first year of studies. Completing an internship of at least 8 weeks is required.
Peter Stark Producing Program students have an opportunity to initiate and produce a 20-minute synchronous sound film financed by the program. Projects to be produced are selected on a competitive basis. Such films must be produced by a Stark student or team of Stark students. Scripts must be written by a student from the Division of Screen & Television Writing or a Stark student. The director must be a graduate student from the Division of Film & Television Production or a Stark student. The Stark student may only perform one major task on the film (i.e., director, writer or producer). Each team has a professional advisor available as needed. Completed films are screened at USC's annual film festival, First Look.
Negotiation Simulation Game
In spring 2001, The Stark Program added to its final semester curriculum a simulation game which allows students to experience negotiating, packaging, and selling motion picture properties. The Negotiation Simulation Game encompasses two weeks where students take roles as producers, studio executives, and agents competing for actors, directors, and ultimately for production funds. The game stresses ingenuity, communication, and persuasiveness, plus the ability to recognize and value the tradeoffs essential to successful negotiation.
Classic Films
To increase knowledge and appreciation of the classics of this art form, Program Director, Lawrence Turman personally conducts afternoon screenings, followed by a group discussion for first semester students.
Additional Seminars
Additional Seminars and Tutorials are ongoing to help students gain specialized knowledge in specific areas. Some are done every year, some are offered in response to requests from students for in-depth information. Seminars are presented by top industry professionals—all highly credentialed. Some are Stark Program Graduates who have expertise, or have had particular success in that area. Previous topics addressed in special seminars and tutorials are: Use of Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling Programs; Ethics; Preparation for Internships; Entrepreneurship;International Marketing; Producing Animation; Producing Reality Television; and Producing Documentaries.
Sample Two-Year Requirements for the M.F.A. in Producing. The following sample program does not represent a required sequence of study; it is to serve only as a guideline.
| Year One | First Semester | Units |
| CTPR 507 | Production I | 4 |
| CMPP 550 | Script Analysis for the Producer | 2 |
| CMPP 568 | Producing for Television | 2 |
| CMPP 589a | Graduate Film Business Seminar | 4 |
| Year One | Second Semester | Units |
| CMPP 541 | Production Workshop | 4 |
| CMPP 560 | Script Development | 2 |
| CMPP 563 | Producing Symposium | 2 |
| CMPP 589b | Graduate Film Business Seminar | 4 |
| Year Two | First Semester | Units |
| CMPP 561 | Motion Picture Marketing | 2 |
| CMPP 565 | Scheduling and Budgeting | 4 |
| CMPP 566 | Finance | 2 |
| CMPP 571 | Producing the Screenplay | 2 |
| Year Two | Second Semester | Units |
| CMPP 564 | Producing Business Procedures | 2 |
| CMPP 569 | Seminar in Non-Mainstream Producing | 2 |
| CMPP 570 | Advanced Television | 2 |
| CMPP 592* | Individual Project Seminar | 4 |
*In lieu of a thesis, Stark students are required to complete a fully developed film project with a budget and marketing/distribution plan.
Grade Point Average Requirements
An overall grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation. Courses in which a grade of C- (1.7) or lower is earned will not apply toward the M.F.A. degree. A grade of C-, D, or F in any CMPP course may be cause for expulsion from the program.
Thesis Project
The Master's Thesis Project for The Peter Stark Producing Program is a developed shooting script to which the student has acquired rights plus story notes, a complete schedule with full budget, and a detailed marketing and distribution plan.
Completed Thesis Projects are reviewed by selected industry professional who conduct Oral Examinations of each master's candidate, and assign grades. Oral exams are held in late April/early May of the final semester of the Program.
A complete Thesis Project and an Oral Examination are requirements for graduation.
Ideally, the goal is for each student to leave the Program with a film project strong enough to launch a producing career.
Time Limit
Students must maintain satisfactory progress toward their master's degree at all times. The time limit for completing all requirements is three years from the first course at USC applied toward the Master of Fine Arts degree. Course work more than seven years old is invalidated and will not be applied toward the degree.
