University of Southern California

Open-Rank Adjunct Professor of Writing for Screen and Television – TV Hour-Long

LOS ANGELES, CAPosted 30+ days ago

Job summary

  • Job post source

    This job is directly from University of Southern California

  • Job overview

    The Open-Rank Adjunct Professor of Writing for Screen and Television teaches the business of writing to students, leveraging industry experience to prepare quality storytellers in the TV hour-long format.

  • Responsibilities and impact

    The professor will teach courses on the business aspects of writing, focusing on industry norms, development processes, and legal agreements, typically teaching one course per year or semester.

  • Compensation and benefits

    The position offers an hourly wage between $30.00 and $45.00 for a 25% FTE adjunct role, with compensation influenced by experience and qualifications.

  • Experience and skills

    Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree and experience as a staff writer on a network or cable hour-long drama, with preferred qualifications including a Master’s degree and producer-level experience on several hour-long TV shows.

  • Work environment and culture

    The role is part of USC's School of Cinematic Arts, emphasizing a collaborative, workshop-style learning environment fostering individual voices and perspectives.

  • Company information

    USC is a prestigious private research university founded in 1880, located in downtown Los Angeles, known for its strong academic programs and large employment base.

  • Team overview

    The candidate will join the John Wells Division of Writing for Screen and Television, which offers various screenwriting programs and focuses on producing quality storytellers.

  • Job location and travel

    The position is based at USC in downtown Los Angeles, with adjunct faculty typically teaching part-time and possibly balancing other professional careers.

  • Unique job features

    The job uniquely combines academic teaching with practical industry experience, focusing on legal and business aspects of screenwriting in a workshop setting.

Company overview

The University of Southern California (USC) is a premier private research university located in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1880, USC offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, law, and the arts. The university generates revenue through tuition fees, research grants, and donations, and it is known for its strong emphasis on innovation, interdisciplinary research, and global engagement. USC's notable alumni network and partnerships with industry leaders provide significant opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

How to land this job

  • Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience in the entertainment industry, particularly your roles as a producer, manager, or agent, and your direct interactions with television and feature writers.

  • Highlight your knowledge of the TV and feature development process, industry norms, and legal aspects like option and work-for-hire agreements to align with the teaching focus of the position.

  • Apply through multiple channels including the University of Southern California’s official career site and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility.

  • Connect on LinkedIn with faculty or staff in the John Wells Division of Writing for Screen and Television at USC, using ice breakers such as asking about recent curriculum developments or expressing admiration for their approach to fostering unique storytelling voices.

  • Optimize your resume for ATS by including keywords from the job description such as 'adjunct faculty,' 'television development,' 'option agreements,' 'work-for-hire,' and 'writing for screen and television' to ensure it passes initial screenings.

  • Use Jennie Johnson’s Power Apply feature to automate tailored applications, identify relevant job posting sites, and find key USC contacts to network with, allowing you to focus more on preparing for interviews and teaching demonstrations.

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