USC School of Cinematic Arts
The new $175-million USC School of Cinematic Arts complex includes a central square with a statue of Douglas Fairbanks, Hollywood’s first king and a key figure in the film school’s founding in 1929. Alumnus George Lucas, never satisfied with the architecture of the old building bearing his name, spearheaded the new construction with $75 million in building funds through his Lucasfilm Foundation. The foundation has also agreed to give the school a $100-million endowment. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
USC School of Cinematic Arts
The complex includes two editing bays with state-of-the-(cinematic)-art equipment. Here, Dorshan Kembhavi, leaning, helps Matthew Nyquist and Anne Bailard with a project. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
A student works on studio-grade equipment in one of the nine new sound-editing rooms. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Students can see their work on the big screen -- and in front of a not-always-kind jury of their peers -- in eight new screening rooms. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
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A statue of Douglas Fairbanks stands in the fountain of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Courtyard. Fairbanks was the president of the academy in 1929, when it co-founded USC’s film school. He also served on the school’s founding faculty. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Construction is still underway on some School of Cinematic Arts facilities. This site will be home to a building devoted to animation that is scheduled to open in August 2010. Even after the Lucas Foundation’s $75-million contribution to building funds and further film industry gifts from companies including Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox and Disney totaling $50 million, the university still must raise the last $50 million of the $175-million project cost. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
