Our Review of the SCA Summer Program by the University of Southern Carolina—Cinematic Arts

If you’re a high school student interested in movies and all things film-related, participating in a summer film school can be a great way to explore your passion and think about what you’d like to study in college. You can even complete hands-on projects that will add value to your portfolio, showcasing your skills and demonstrating a sustained interest in film!

In this blog, we’ll review the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts’ Summer Program for high school students. Here, you will find information on the program’s features, fees, important application dates, curriculum, and more. We’ll also provide a list of the pros and cons of attending the program and end with our honest review!

What is the SCA Summer Program all about?

USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) Summer Program is a six-week, in-person opportunity for students interested in pursuing careers in film and television. All high school students globally aged 16 and over can apply. You can earn college credits, which are transferable to any college. 

SCA offers courses covering filmmaking, screenwriting, animation, and the business side of filmmaking. USC’s SCA is a prestigious institution, ranking among the top three film schools in the U.S. for its undergraduate and graduate courses.

Who is eligible, and how do I apply?

All high school students internationally who will be at least 16 years old by the program’s start date can apply.

The application process has several requirements, some of which vary by the applicant's age. It’s best to start preparing your materials early and read the program’s descriptions of what they’re looking for carefully. 

To apply, you have to fill out the online application form and choose the courses you’re interested in. 

You also have to submit a 30-second video introducing yourself and answering the following questions:

1. Why the USC School of Cinematic Arts?

2. What do you wish to get out of attending our program?

3. Why are you a good match for our program?

4. What are your future ambitions and goals?

You must submit a 500-word personal statement about how your background has influenced you as a person and filmmaker. As a creative sample, you have to submit a 300-word character sketch in a format of your choosing. See tips on completing the personal statement and creative sample here. 

Applicants who are 16 or 17 must also submit an academic transcript and a recommendation letter. 

What are the important dates?

Applications for the 2025 cohort will open on December 15 and close on April 30, 2025. The deadline for international students is March 15, 2025.

The program will run for six weeks, from the end of June to early August. 

How much does the program cost?

The program’s cost depends on how many courses (and corresponding units) you opt for. You can opt for up to eight units, equating to studying 2-3 courses. The per-unit tuition rate is $2,354. Since you can opt for between two and eight units, the program tuition fees range between $4,708 and $18,832. 

Housing costs between $2,021 and $2,881, depending on your move-in and move-out date. You must pay a refundable $500 deposit. Meals are not included. 

Is the program prestigious?

USC SCA is among the top three film schools nationwide, which gives the program some prestige. While information on the acceptance rate is unavailable, each course part of the program has approximately 20 seats. The application process is quite involved, with multiple components, so you can expect to be with peers who are committed to filmmaking and the arts. However, the program is expensive (you can pay over $20,000!), limiting selectivity. Overall, we can call the SCA Summer Program somewhat prestigious, with limited selectivity. 

What can I study at the SCA Summer Program?

SCA offers its pre-college students 16 courses spread across four categories: filmmaking, screenwriting, computer graphics and animation, and film and television business.

Here is a brief overview of some of the courses offered:

1. Filmmaking

   1. Digital cinematography: Learn more about what cinematographers do through lectures, demonstrations, and live exercises. You will use cutting-edge technology like the Sony FS5 and RED Scarlet cameras. Skills you will pick up include a deeper understanding of light exposure, composition, and manipulating light for different effects. 

   2. Digital editing: You will learn to use the AVID Media Composer, the industry-standard editing system. Through editing, you will learn more about storytelling, character development, scene rhythm, and creating narratives. You’ll be able to access SCA’s state-of-the-art editing labs and post-production facilities to hone your work.

   3. Documentary filmmaking: In this course, you will learn how to research topics that will resonate with a wide audience, dive deeper into the directorial and production techniques specific to non-fiction films, and write scripts. This course’s faculty includes several Emmy award winners!

2. Screenwriting

   1. Screenwriting fundamentals: This course will introduce you to the “writer’s room,” where you can brainstorm and workshop ideas with your peers. You’ll learn to develop characters, ideas, and plot and write scenes while imagining them visually. This course includes a final project where you will write a 10-page narrative script.

   2. Creating the Dramatic Television Series: Here, you’ll dive deep into what it takes to write a pilot and learn how to shape an idea for a series depending on the medium—cable, network, or streaming. This course includes a final project: you will develop a pilot episode to showcase your series’ universe, characters, and narrative framework.

   3. Creating the Comedy TV Series: Here, you’ll learn how to create a “story engine”—a framework that keeps a show engaging (and funny!). You’ll learn different humor techniques and make a show “bible” that records your show’s universe, the characters, different story arcs, and potential for future seasons.  

3. Computer Graphics/Animation

   1. Animation Fundamentals: In this course, you’ll learn about 2D animation, specifically concepts like motion paths, spacing, timing, squashing, stretching characters, and overlapping actions. You don’t need prior drawing experience to participate in this course! You will showcase your work via a final project.

   2. Foundation of Game Design: You’ll learn how to create two kinds of games—a tabletop game mod and a digital game. Delve into game design theory, how to ideate and develop concepts, prototype, and test. You can opt for this course even if you’re a programming novice.

4. Film & Television

   1. Business: Learn about the inside workings of Hollywood. You’ll learn how agencies work, how to be a good producer, how to build a career in the film business, and much more. This course includes several guest lectures by established members of the film community. 

What are the pros and cons of the SCA Summer Program?

Pros:

1. You get to join an intensive program with varied options

The program runs for six weeks, and you can opt for several courses covering various aspects of the cinematic arts: filmmaking, screenwriting, animation, and business.

2. You can build your college portfolio

Several courses involve projects like writing scripts, shooting documentaries, and making short films. These projects can demonstrate an interest in filmmaking, which college admissions boards highly value.

3. You can apply if you live abroad

The SCA Summer Program is open to high school students globally, and anyone is welcome to apply.

4. You can choose your level of commitment

Depending on your availability, interest, and financial resources, you can opt for up to three courses during the six-week program. This gives you the flexibility to study only what you’re interested in.

Cons: 

1. The program is costly

The SCA Summer Program is quite expensive and does not offer any financial aid. You can pay north of $20,000 if you attend three courses (including stay). This amount may be a challenge for many interested students.

2. You can’t attend virtually

A virtual option, at least for the screenwriting and business courses, could have helped more interested students apply for the program and kept costs down.

Our review—what do we think of the program?

The SCA Summer Program is a solid option for students interested in the cinematic arts. You can choose filmmaking, screenwriting, animation, and film business courses. Projects done here will help your college portfolio, and you can apply if you’re an international student! On the flip side, this program is quite expensive and doesn’t offer financial aid, so think carefully before applying.

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.