The mission of USC Magnet’s Media Arts Department is to train the next generation of diverse teenage filmmakers and animators from low socioeconomic neighborhoods in Los Angeles so our students can gain an intensive, hands-on education focusing on video production, animation, and music technology.
We have partnerships with Golden Globe Foundation, DreamWorks, Warner Bros, Nickelodeon, IATSE, and USC to offer our 600 students exposure to professionals in the film and animation industries. Over the last three years, we have participated in Nickelodeon’s exclusive Mentorship Program where our aspiring animators were trained in modeling 3D characters, creating 2D animated shorts, and developing new show ideas with their Executive Producers. We also provide animation and film dual enrollment courses with LACC for our students to earn free college credits, and we have been selected by the California Department of Education to participate in their Video Production and Animation Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
We want to thank GGF for its continued support and generosity for our young filmmakers and animators. Over the years, GGF grants have helped our program add new film and animation courses, expand our on-site studio, and equip our department with innovative gear and equipment.