USC Alum/Producer Laura Ziskin to be Keynote Speaker at SCHOOL OF CINEMATIC ARTS This Friday

(Laura Ziskin, above left, on the set of Spider-Man, and Shonda Rhimes, below.)


"Grey's Anatomy" Executive Producer and Head Writer Shonda Rhimes will also receive the Mary Pickford Foundation Award at the ceremony.

by Terry Keefe

Two of the most successful alumni of the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) will be featured players at the SCA Commencement this Friday, May 15th. The Commencement Address will be delivered by producer Laura Ziskin, who counts the Spider-Man franchise amongst her many producing credits. Other Ziskin productions include As Good As It Gets and Pretty Woman, as well as the 74th Annual Academy Awards Show.

Shonda Rhimes, the creative force behind "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice," will receive the distinguished Mary Pickford Foundation Award, which is given to distinguished alumni. Past recipients include: Brian Grazer, William Fraker, Conrad L. Hall, Ray Harryhausen, Alan Ladd Jr., Michelle Manning, Walter Murch, Jay Roach, Gary Rydstrom, Stacey Sher, John Singleton, David L. Wolper, and Robert Zemeckis, as well as Laura Ziskin.

Said SCA Dean Elizabeth Daley, “Laura Ziskin honors us by serving as our commencement speaker. We are thrilled that she will generously give of her time and wisdom on this very important occasion. Shonda Rhimes is another of our distinguished alums who has continued to support and encourage our students throughout her amazing successes. We are delighted that both these successful women will join us this year.”

The Hollywood Interview recently attended the dedication ceremonies of the first buildings of the new SCA campus, a facility which will rival the technological and production prowess of some of the major studios in town, when completed. Filmmakers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg spoke at the event, in front of brand-new buildings which feature their individual names.

Our coverage of the SCA Dedication can be found in three parts below and the website for SCA is here.

SCA Dedication - Part One

SCA Dedication - Part Two

SCA Dedication - Part Three

(Above, a view of the Courtyard and Statue of Douglas Fairbanks at the new SCA. Photo by Gregory Weinkauf.)






Additional SCA Alumni of recent note include directors Bryan Singer, screenwriters Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski, and Star Trek and "Lost" producer Bryan Burk.