Adjunct Professor of John H. Mitchell Business of Entertainment Programs: The World of A Producer

The USC School of Cinematic Arts is seeking an adjunct faculty member in the field of creative producing, marketing, and packaging for the entertainment industry. We are looking for a working professional with a primary position as producer or creative executive with extensive experience in producing film and/or television, including collaboration with studios, streamers, and production companies.

This graduate-level course explores the role of the producer, from development through delivery, marketing and release. Students will learn how the producer interacts with agencies, studios, writers, directors, department heads, financiers, distributors, all in the service of transforming a story “idea” into a completed film or television show. The professor will crystallize concepts through discussion of current events, entertainment reporting, interactive hands-on exercises, and guest speakers working in the field. How a producer pitches a “project” and strives for the “greenlight” while obtaining financing will be covered.

Candidates should be able to cover the following topics:

• Role of Producer
• How to Break In
• Role of Agents, Managers, and Lawyers
• Agency Packaging
• Securing Intellectual Property, Option Agreements,
• Negotiations (ie between agent/client and studio)
• Development and Coverage for screenplays
• Legacy Studios and New Streamers
• “Indie” producing versus Studio System
• Low budget productions
• Who Finances and Distributes?
• Closing Financing and Bonds
• Film and TV budgets
• Role of Line Producer
• Elevator Pitch and Extended Pitches
• Marketing
• Producing for TV
• Evolution of Distribution – new models, new platforms, new media windows

Candidates will be able to facilitate discussion and encourage participation through engagement and/or interactive class activities in addition to lectures. Grading assignments and facilitating course administration will be required.

Qualified applicants will have 10+ years of creative producing experience and be able to teach students at the graduate level about the industry. Prior teaching and/or guest lecturer experience at the university level is welcomed but not required.

Minimum Education:Bachelor’s degree.

Preferred Education: Master’s degree, or equivalent experience. Demonstrated teaching experience, ideally at the university level, but inclusive of professional and community seminars, workshops, and mentorships.

Minimum Experience: 7-9 years of experience in creative producing for a studio, streaming service and/ or production company.

Preferred Experience: 10+ years of experience in in creative producing for a studio, streaming service and/ or production company. Lead producing or entertainment executive experience. Demonstrated teaching experience.

USC reserves the 'Adjunct' appointment for faculty teaching less than full-time at USC who are employed full-time in a primary profession or career elsewhere. Adjunct faculty typically teach only one course per year but, in exceptional cases, may teach one course per semester, if approved by the dean.

The hourly rate range for this position is $35 - $50 per hour. This is an adjunct 25% FTE position.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, as well as external market and organizational considerations.