Jason Reitman to Speak at USC School of Cinematic Arts Graduation in May
Jason Reitman to Deliver USC School of Cinematic Arts Commencement Address
Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman is set to deliver the commencement address at this year’s graduation ceremony for the USC School of Cinematic Arts. The event will be held on May 15 at the Shrine Auditorium.
In addition to Reitman, acclaimed cinematographer Alice Brooks, known for her work on Wicked and Wicked: For Good, will receive the Mary Pickford Alumni Award during the ceremony.
Both Reitman and Brooks have strong ties to USC; Reitman is an alumnus of the school, while Brooks graduated from the School of Cinematic Arts in 2001.
"We are excited to welcome two of our accomplished alumni back to USC to help usher our latest cohort of graduating students into the professional world,” said Elizabeth M. Daley, dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. “Jason and Alice are responsible for some of the most beloved films of the last few years, and are having the kinds of careers our students dream about. Their presence alone will be inspirational, but I know our students are looking forward to their words of advice and encouragement.”
Reitman, a four-time Oscar nominee, has been recognized for his direction in Juno (2008) and Up in the Air (2010). Last year, Wicked director Jon M. Chu served as the commencement speaker, continuing a tradition that includes industry luminaries such as Paul Feig, Jim Gianopulos, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Donna Langley, Miky Lee, and George Lucas.
The Mary Pickford Alumni Award honors alumni whose achievements significantly enhance the reputation of both the university and the industry. Brooks, who collaborated with Chu during their time at USC, has an impressive portfolio that includes cinematography for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tick, Tick … Boom! and In the Heights. Currently, she is working on Sony/Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse and serves on the Dean’s Alumni Leadership Council at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
