The Study of Entertainment Communication: An Innovative Degree Design

Communication, entertainment and media are increasingly evolving with new, innovative technologies and changing consumer preferences. My alma mater, the University of Southern California (USC), addresses this emergent environment and their desire to develop along with it in their most recent strategic plan. Although USC’s mission statement and core values of free inquiry, community, and informed risk-taking remain stalwart in this shifting, their plan suggests that “more flexible strategies must be developed which will enable USC to accelerate its progress under evolving external circumstances.” The plan presents four capabilities necessary for its achievement: span disciplinary and school boundaries to concentrate on problems of societal significance, link fundamental to applied research, build networks and partnerships, and increase responsiveness to learners. USC’s commitment to its enhancement is highlighted by the College Dean’s Prize, which rewards students who offer insightful suggestions on advancing the Trojan educational experience. In response, I have decided to dedicate this post to presenting my visions for USC’s communication studies and how the curriculum may develop to better serve its students and the community.

The USC Annenberg School for Communication, whose logo is seen to the right, also observes the significance in the evolution of education and prides itself on the modern degree programs it offers, “Society has been fundamentally altered by new developments in communication. USC Annenberg is at the heart of the revolution and on the cutting edge of communication technology.” USC Annenberg is listed as one of the top schools in this field according to a study performed by the National Communication Association. As a communication major, I can attest to the high quality of the courses and educational experience, particularly within the entertainment option. The degree program provides students with excellent professors and well rounded courses. Yet, where the curriculum is lacking is in practical application. The students receive vast amounts of knowledge but have little practice applying it. What the program needs is a bridge between education and the working world, an applied preparation for what follows graduation. I suggest that the course obligations are condensed to seven semesters and that the eighth consists of an internship requirement and capstone course.

In the competitive business of entertainment, internships are vital for many entry level positions. So many people want to break into the industry that businesses easily find “interns” willing to do the work for free. Why pay someone with no experience when they could get someone else at no cost? Internships are nearly expected of graduates; however, juggling a 20 hour unpaid week simultaneously with course work and sometimes even side jobs can greatly disturb a student’s educational experience. Most recent graduates need paying jobs and do not have the time to be a volunteer intern. By having a semester dedicated to the internship, the student can better concentrate on all aspects of the degree and occupation. Annenberg would aide the seniors in applying to a variety of internships relative to their career choice. USC is a perfect location for this type of program being in the heart of the entertainment industry and a booming metropolis. By reaching out to these businesses and creating a dialogue with the corporate world, USC is establishing itself and its students as valuable commodities.

Along with the internship, the students would enroll in a once a week capstone course that is specific to their prospective profession. A communication degree is extremely broad and feeds into several different careers as indicated by USC Annenberg’s four communication options: Media, Law and Politics; Organizational and Interpersonal Communication; Communication and Culture; and Entertainment, Communication, and Society. The ability to focus their studies to a final course will prove beneficial. With an entertainment option, students might become talent agents, managers, casting directors, producers, or work in advertising, promotions, public relations, radio and television. That is just a partial list. The capstone course would be a small class of four to twelve students that are all looking to enter the same profession. A class of future talent agents may learn how to negotiate contracts, scout and promote actors and do mock deals with their classmates. This course lets them share their experiences from the internships with other students and creates a close knit group who might eventually help each other out in the “real” world. It offers a tremendous opportunity for networking and building solid working relationships, while allowing students to see their classmates in a more professional light.

This curriculum further establishes the university’s dedication to the Trojan Family and their hope to aide their graduates into the professional world. Although a shift such as this will definitely require significant changes, the result will greatly benefit the university and its students. A successful unique program can put the university on the map as a break through institution and give the alumnae a smooth transition from school to a successful career. As expectations for college graduates increase and the industry of communication and entertainment becoming ever more competitive, a practical preparation will give USC students a leg up on their competitors. This would be a big change for the communication school, but I believe if they make the move, other universities and programs will follow.

Ron Howard: My Nomination for an Honorary Degree

My alma mater annually grants distinguished individuals with what is described as the “highest award that the University of Southern California confers,” an honorary degree. Presented at the commencement ceremony, the doctorate is meant to recognize those who have shown exceptional achievement in “scholarship, the professions, or other creative activities,” alumni and others who have made extraordinary contributions to the university and/or their communities, those who have displayed outstanding philanthropy and “individuals who are widely known and highly regarded for achievements in their respective fields of endeavor.” With commencement just around the corner, I have decided to put forth my nomination for this mark of distinction to a man who has shown exceptional accomplishment in several elements of entertainment. I would for these reasons, like to nominate USC alumnus Ron Howard for an honorary doctoral degree in fine arts.

Howard has displayed incredible abilities in three distinct aspects of entertainment: directing, acting, and producing. An actor since childhood, Howard is best known for his roles in the film American Graffiti and on the hit television series Happy Days, for which he was honored with a Golden Globe Nomination. After attending USC’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts, Howard used his acting knowledge to pursue his passion in a successful directorial career. In 2001, he received Academy Awards for both Best Director and Best Picture with the film A Beautiful Mind (the photo to the left shows him at the Oscars with long time collaborative partner, Brian Grazer). Actor Russell Crowe spoke of Howard, "It's great to work with a guy who understands the grave stones- the resonance of silence....He's a really great filmmaker." In addition to directing numerous successful projects, Howard has also produced many, including The Da Vinci Code, Cinderella Man and even the Emmy Award winning series Arrested Development. Although his complete list of accomplishments goes on, as displayed by the Internet Movie Database, Howard’s worthiness of this award reaches far beyond his well rounded list of credits. Particularly relevant is his connection and contribution to the University of Southern California’s film school.

Tucked in USC’s Robert Zemeckis Center for the Digital Arts is the Ron Howard Screening Room, named in his honor. Howard makes frequent appearances at the school as a guest lecturer and offers round table discussions for the students (he is seen to the right with USC’s Division of Film & Television Production Chair Michael Taylor), while proving to be an incredible resource with the ability to address almost every facet of the industry. In 2002, Howard spoke to USC film school graduates about their industry of choice: “I can’t predict the course or outcome of any of your careers, but I can do this. I can predict some particular emotions that I know you’ll feel.” Just last month, Howard returned to USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. James Tella’s article about the evening reads, “Howard told the audience that his discovery of the real power of ideas and analysis of stories stemmed from his time at USC, saying that his classroom experience helped him understand the medium as an art form.” By donating his time to the University, Howard is giving back to the community that aided in his success. This is one of the admirable qualities desired for an honorary degree recipient.

The lecture described above was an evening on collaborative filmaking. Through a series of anecdotes, Howard emphasized teamwork, a skill necessary to not only filmmaking but nearly every field of endeavor. Those awarded an honorary degree speak to graduates at commencement. If Ron Howard were chosen, collaboration would be the emphasis of his speech. In an interview with the Academy of Achievement, Howard again touched upon the important quality, "I think the healthiest king of balance is one where you have the confidence to continue to engage... [but] try to maintain the humility to listen to those who speak up and say, 'I think you're making a mistake.'" Howard engages his audience, with a playful boyish demeanor, but has substance to his material. Russell Crowe said, "I think it's funny that he has the whole world fooled that he's just a simple, easy going guy. Where that's part of his nature, it's a very inefficient definition of Ron Howard. He's a very deep thinker." Howard’s emphasis on education and his ability to bring life lessons from his successful career will surely prove beneficial and intriguing to graduates and those attending commencement.

President emeritus of the University of Iowa and Dartmouth College, James Freedman, emphasized the importance of carefully selecting those on whom this prestigious award is conferred, “In bestowing an honorary degree [of which there is a long tradition in American higher education], a university makes an explicit statement to its students and the world about the qualities of character and attainment it admires most.” In his opinion the degree should emphasize sublime achievement and should not be used for the purpose of flattering “generous donors and prospective benefactors” or to award “mere celebrities—who are often famous principally for being famous.” Although Howard may be considered a celebrity, as well as a generous USC donor, his achievements reach far beyond these characteristics. He has realized tremendous accomplishments in the field of fine arts, and shared his success with the university and its students. Ron Howard seems an obvious choice for this esteemed honor.