With Hollywood in our back yard, we are all aware of the influence of film.   But few people know, that the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts was founded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.  Even closer to home, we can see that the OSCARS are held across town (from USC) at the Kodak Theatre, where the red carpet is still rolled out for this traffic-stopping event. 

But what does this have to do with what goes on in the classrooms at neighboring inner-city schools?  Kamran Syd, at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, has the answer. 

As founder of the USC Cinema Outreach Foundation, Kamran has created an exciting program called the USC Film in Education Program.  It uses the filmmaking process as a way to help underprivileged schoolchildren improve academically and learn life's skills. It is tailored to complement current academic curriculum and support the objectives of the school.

Working with USC film majors, the high school students alternate hands-on experience with classroom instruction. They develop story ideas, which improves reading comprehension; write screenplays, which improves literacy; budget film costs, which improves math and problem solving skills; perform computer-based editing, which teaches technical and spatial skills; and direct short films, which improves visual-expression.

"Besides studying cinema and making short films," says USCCOF President Shaun S. Sanghani," our program instills such life skills as goal-setting, conflict resolution, and teamwork; skills that are necessary to achieve success in any facet of life."

One of USC's most notable alumni, Oscar Nominee John Singleton, (Director of such films as BOYZ N THE HOOD & FOUR BROTHERS), is a Mentor and Chief Vision Officer for the USC Cinema Outreach Foundation.  

Singleton notes, the program is "building self-esteem, motivating students to enter the workforce, paving the way for increased self-reliance and ultimately making a lasting impact on the community as a whole. We not only hope to create filmmakers, but responsible human beings as well."

Currently, a film program is underway and is already inspiring the Steven Spielbergs of tomorrow.  It will wrap with a screening of the student films at the end of the schoolyear.  Says student Charles, 16, who completed a short film: “I feel like I can do anything now.”