About Us
Dara Resnick, Peter Stark Producing Program
“I have been an adjunct lecturer at USC for 10 years this fall. I’ve taught writing in both the John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television and the Peter Stark Producing Program, and I just adore it. Teaching is my passion, and I am often told by my students I am one of the only female professors from whom they have had an opportunity to learn. But the university’s policies prevent me from teaching more than one class. Even though I work as a TV writer full-time, I would love the chance to teach more sections, and eventually segue into academia one day. I believe students would benefit from my lifetime of experience in the entertainment business as a female showrunner. I support forming a union so adjuncts can negotiate a clear pathway to an academic career.”
Bruce Green, Production Division / Editing
“I have been working in editing rooms since 1974 and my life improved dramatically in 1977 when I joined the IATSE Local 776 representing film editors. My wages became fair, I had an organization to represent my interests, and I had health care for myself and my family. In 2019, after 45 years of editing I started sharing what I’d learned to promising young filmmakers at USC as an adjunct professor. I was also reminded of what life without a union is like. USC adjuncts are not treated with the same respect as our counterparts at NYU, UCLA, Chapman, etc. I know we will be better off united together, with union representation. The Adjunct Faculty Alliance with the support of the UAW is the representation I want.”
Jody Wheeler, Screenwriting
“I both work and teach screenwriting professionally. I love doing both. It makes me a better artist and a better instructor. It gives me an expertise my students draw on for their own betterment. While my students value my expertise, in my time at USC, the school hasn’t. I’ve been amazed by the sheer number of my colleagues who are also excellent teachers and professionals. Yet each semester, in the interest of saving money, USC tries to cut costs rather than retain talent. The excellent teachers our students have now? Students will lose that if USC doesn’t turn around and value, cultivate, and retain adjunct faculty. Collective bargaining is the only way to make sure USC does.”
Anne DeSalvo, Production / Directing
“I adore teaching and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers at USC. It’s time the adjunct faculty leverage our own collective power so we can make SCA a better school and a better place to work. The success of the school is tied to the success of its faculty. I’ve spent countless hours above the required hours to give the students a very hands-on, one-on-one experience. I’m not alone in this… it’s what gives SCA its great reputation, that is, its faculty are very skilled and devoted. The creation of AFA will make our roles more secure and give us fairer compensation for what it is we do. It will give us, the adjunct educators, a voice in our well-being. The lack of advancement, uncertainty of our future, and the same wages year after year do not speak to our worth. The adjunct faculty represent the majority of SCA so we are critical to the university. It’s time we assert our collective bargaining power to give us a more sustainable future. We’ve earned that.”