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A Very Good Year Thanks to the many friends and alumni who have participated in, or soon will join us for, the School’s 75th anniversary festivities. Our community’s unabated enthusiasm for the School — reflected in this special commemorative section — is a clear indication that the long tradition of leadership, excellence, and innovation that we have enjoyed celebrating this year is just the beginning. Going Once, Going Twice… Benefit Auction Gives School Something to Shout About On June 17, an entertainment-themed auction benefiting the USC School of Cinema- Television was held at the former home of actor-writer Vincent Price (1911– 1993). Scott and Ellen Sassa generously offered their Spanish-style estate for this historic 75th anniversary event, which raised over $100,000 to benefit students and programs at the School. “ Fundraisers like this help keep our program financially healthy so it can continue to serve new generations of students, scholars, and creative talent,” Dean Elizabeth Daley explained to guests. “So, no matter the selling price, every purchase made tonight is a pretty terrific bargain.” Internationally known auctioneer and president of Christie’s Los Angeles, Andrea Fiuczynski, presided over the bidding for the “live” auction lots — Alfred Hitchcock’s passport, lunch with Steven Spielberg, and an original “Golden Ticket” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory were among the crowd favorites — but an array of one-of-akind silent auction lots — including costumes worn by Hugh Jackman in Van Helsing, courtside tickets to an L.A. Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings game, and the “broad sword” brandished by Mel Gibson in Braveheart — also inspired enthusiastic bidding contests. The USC School of Cinema-Television and Dean Elizabeth M. Daley would like to extend warmest thanks to all of those who made the benefit auction a success through their bids and generous donations of time and priceless artifacts. Bounty and the Beast Van Helsing Premiere Scares Up Support Stephen Sommers Bob Ducsay 2 | in motion fall 2004 Deep in the mountains of faraway Carpathia lies Transylvania, a mysterious world menaced by impenetrable secrets and cunning, nightmarish creatures. But, on May 3, Hollywood stars and eager premiere-goers had only to drive to the top of a modest hill in modern-day Universal City to journey to this mythic land, unforgettably rendered by Stephen Sommers (’93) and Bob Ducsay (’86) in Van Helsing. Special thanks to Bob Ducsay, Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider, Stephen Sommers, Jim Wiatt, Universal Pictures, and everyone else in the School’s loyal family of supporters for making this premiere to benefit the USC School of Cinema-Television such a wonderful success. Top: Dean Elizabeth M. Daley, with alumnus and Board of Councilors member Scott Sassa and his wife, Ellen, during the School’s recent benefit auction. Bottom: That’s the ticket! Board of Councilors member David L. Wolper, producer of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, donated one of five original “golden tickets” from the ever-popular 1971 film to his alma mater for the School of Cinema-Television’s benefit auction. The rare item, which fetched $10,000, was the night’s biggest seller.
A Night To Remember (continued from page 1) George Lucas (’66), Bill Mechanic (’79), Josh Schwartz (’99), Stacey Sher (’85), John Singleton (’90), and Robert Zemeckis (’73) were among the notable USC alumni who made special appearances that evening. Highlights of the gala, a homecoming for USC’s cinema-television alumni, included Clint Eastwood’s tribute to School of Architecture alumnus and legendary art and production director Henry Bumstead (’37) and the presentation of a specially commissioned award by Frank Pierson, president of the School’s founding partner, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It was the friendship between fencing partners Douglas Fairbanks Sr., the first president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and Rufus von KleinSmid, president of the University of Southern California, that set the stage for the founding of the School back in 1929. Brian Grazer (’74), Ron Howard, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Dean Elizabeth Daley, Board of Councilors Chair Frank Price, and, fittingly, USC President Steven B. Sample were all on hand to accept the stunning one-of-a-kind crystal trophy. Executive produced by Grazer and Spielberg, and produced by Michael B. Seligman, the event also featured humorous and heartfelt testimonials from alumni and friends, as well as performances by the USC Thornton Orchestra, conducted by Mark Watters (’77) who substituted for John Williams, and members of the USC Trojan Marching Band. The School’s alumni gala was generously underwritten by Studios International, which has partnered with USC to oversee the educational program that will be offered in conjunction with the new state-of-the-art studio that soon will break ground in Bangkok. Major support for this event was also provided by AudioTek Corp., Creative Technology, Dream Foods, Galpin Ford, Harry Winston, Sandra and Kenneth Malamed, Stolichnaya, Turner Classic Movies, and Variety. Top Right: Spielberg, Grazer, and Howard Middle Right: Leslie Harter Zemeckis and Robert Zemeckis Below: Pierson, Howard, Zemeckis, Spielberg, Grazer, Lucas, Daley, Sample, and Price All Aboard! Zemeckis Donates Polar Express Premiere Bringing to life one of the most beloved children’s fables of our time, The Polar Express is a stunning new digital production that reunites the Oscar-winning team of Robert Zemeckis (’73) and Tom Hanks. The Polar Express, based on Chris Van Allsburg’s book, pulls into theaters on November 10, but you can be among the first to experience this soon-to-be holiday classic when it premieres in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 7! Thanks to the generosity of Robert Zemeckis, Warner Bros., and an anonymous donor who is matching all proceeds, dollar for dollar, the world premiere of The Polar Express will serve as a benefit for the USC School of Cinema-Television. For more information about this benefit premiere, please call Levy, Pazanti & Associates at (310) 201-5033. BOARD OF COUNCILORS TELEVISION EXECUTIVE ADVISORY COUNCIL Frank Biondi, Jr. John Calley Barry Diller Lee Gabler David Geffen Brian Grazer Brad Grey Jeffrey Katzenberg Alan Levine George Lucas Don Mattrick William M. Mechanic Barry Meyer Sidney Poitier Frank Price Barney Rosenzweig Scott Sassa Steven Spielberg John Wells Jim Wiatt Paul Junger Witt David L. Wolper Robert Zemeckis Laura Ziskin Peter Benedek Alan Berger Stuart Bloomberg Marcy Carsey Jon Feltheimer Lee Gabler Ted Harbert Sam Haskell Tony Jonas Kerry McCluggage Leslie Moonves Rod Perth Frank Price Peter Roth Scott Sassa Herb Scannell Scott Stone Toper Taylor John Wells Paul Junger Witt fall 2004 in motion | 3
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