A Note From MISC Executive Director and Founder, Michael Taylor

Since the inception of the Media Institute for Social Change more than eight years ago, I have not experienced a year that calls for social change more than 2020. The MISC team stands in solidarity with all who are meeting the challenges of our time by working on the front lines to create positive social change. Here in California, we are simultaneously facing the COVID pandemic and catastrophic wildfires fueled by the effects of climate change, while addressing intolerable racial injustice at the hands of the very people who are sworn to protect and serve us. And I know issues of health, climate science and social justice are of concern wherever you are reading this. It feels like the many issues MISC has been highlighting for years have culminated into an urgent, multi-layered, global conversation.

I am inspired by so many in our community who have demonstrated courage, leadership, strength and resilience, proving that it is everyday people who can, and do, make a difference. My hope is that 2020 will be a turning point for us all. Over the years MISC has made films and produced events about health issues, environmental issues and racial issues, among others. We will continue to do so. The Media Institute for Social Change will always speak out about the important issues of our time and we hope you will follow, join and support our efforts. Let us work together to ensure that 2021 brings the social change we want to see.

Make a Film! Win a Cash Prize! Vote with SCA Votes!

SCA Votes, the School of Cinematic Arts’ non-partisan Get Out The Vote initiative, is launching a film competition to encourage everyone to vote in the upcoming Fall election.

Why is your vote so important? In 2016 only 61% of all eligible voters cast a ballot, and in 2018 that number shrunk to 53%. With less than two months until election day, SCA Votes wants to make sure that everyone registers to vote. What better way to do that than with the kind of event everyone at SCA loves— a Film Festival! Read More.

And here are some other resources that might be useful:

Make sure you are registered by checking your details at www.rockthevote.org

Help your community by becoming a Poll Worker : https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote

Art With Impact Offers Grants For Short Films About Mental Health

Submit your short film proposal to shine a light on mental health issues to Art With Impact, focusing on mental health issues specific to Black people, and mental health issues specific to immigration experiences.

All you need is an idea, and a little bit of thought into how you would create the five-minute film. Details on the Art With Impact website. The submission deadline is October 15, 2020. Read More.

MISC To Produce Films For The City of Hope National Medical Center

MISC has been green-lit to produce a series of films for the City of Hope National Medical Center. In a groundbreaking cancer research initiative, City of Hope will offer comprehensive genetic testing to every patient, and will offer to sequence the genome of tumors for patients. The MISC films will educate patients and their families about why this testing is necessary for clinical care and why it is crucial for research purposes. The films will be produced by MISC Director Michael Taylor and will be directed by SCA alumnus John Berardo. Read More.

Learn more about City of Hope at https://www.cityofhope.org/

MISC to Represent USC in the Green Film School Alliance

We are excited to announce that the USC School of Cinematic Arts will join The Green Film School Alliance, a new consortium of film schools and industry companies who have come together for the goal of attaining sustainability and best environmental practices in film production. The Alliance is developing a sustainability checklist that can be used by student filmmakers to achieve green film sets.

The goal is to teach and prioritize environmental concerns the same way we now teach and prioritize safety. Participating schools include USC, AFI, UCLA, Chapman, LMU, Cal State, and Emerson. The industry is represented by NBC Universal, HBO, and Paramount. Read More.

MISC Partners With New Filmmakers LA

MISC is happy to announce a new collaborative partnership with New Filmmakers LA (NFMLA). NFMLA fosters opportunities for emerging filmmakers by connecting creators to audiences with festivals and discussions. The organization also brings them together with industry professionals who can provide insight on distribution, production, acquisition and representation. Read More.

Social Impact Entertainment Society Launches Alliance For Art Makers

Filmmakers Robert Rippberger and Tobias Deml recently launched the Social Impact Entertainment Society, an organization which will serve as a central hub to connect, empower, and create alliances between Social Impact Entertainment companies, content creators, organizations, institutions and professionals. MISC is thrilled to join this team of entertainment industry leaders and advisors. Read More.

USC-MISC Newsletter Archive