Why You Should Check Out Trojan Talent
By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22
Short answer? To watch some films, listen to music, and check out art. Long answer? It’s a celebration of amazing student work: visual and auditory, scientific and creative — and it deserves more attention! I was pretty shocked when I checked out Trojan Talent for the first time for the sheer fact that there was just so much stuff! To top it off, everything on the site is phenomenal! This platform is a great way to explore the creations of your fellow students and honestly just keep yourself entertained. There’s too much content to tackle it all in one, or even two or three sittings — but even if it’s just a single short film or song, you should definitely check it out! After exploring all that Trojan Talent has to offer, you may even want to submit something yourself!
TO EXPLORE FILM!
There’s a wide range of films on Trojan Talent’s platform, all ranging in genre, length and date, but none varying in the fact that they’re all excellently made! These films are really a testament to just how talented the students in the film school are. Instead of browsing through Netflix for hours trying to decide on something to watch next time, check out some of these films instead!
This is just a sneak peak into what all of the platforms have to offer!
Omeleto X USC Cinematic Arts
“We teamed up with the top film school in the world – and alma mater of George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis and Ryan Coogler – to launch the next generation of great filmmakers.”
2 strangers jump off a building and discover it’s never too late to fall in love.
A Yelp reviewer goes to a late-night diner and gets more than he bargains for.
First Look 2020
“First Look is the yearly USC School of Cinematic Arts showcase for advanced projects run by the Industry Relations Office. An Industry Jury reviews and awards films in the following categories: Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Social Change, Thriller/Sci-fi/Horror.”
Note: Only the trailers are on the website, go to the directors/editors/etc. personal websites to watch!
Yolanda Morgan recalls her experiences with racism and the impact it has had on her.
A precocious little girl strikes up a friendship with the hitman she propositions to kill her stepfather.
ALTER
“ALTER are very proud to support USC filmmakers with their incredible films.”
The Johnson’s are a model of the perfect American family. But sometimes things aren’t always what they seem.
After years of helping euthanize the terminally ill, a “hospice worker” begins to question the ethics of her job.
DUST X USC
“DUST are very proud to support USC filmmakers with their incredible films.”
Two companions on an unmanned research ship discover the value of their friendship as their decades-long mission towards the sun comes to an end.
A young boy is saved from bullies by an unexpected hero.
Amazon Prime
The Ballerina, Her Shoemaker, and His Apprentice
George Arkwright, a young man down on his luck, must navigate the refined world of ballet pointe show making and redeem his value as the apprentice under the shadow of Mr. David Trainer, a talented but stuffy pointe shoemaker. George’s imagination turns into a reality when he soon learns this magical and distant world is not beyond the reach of affliction.
Bryce stages an elaborate event to propose to his girlfriend. But when the engagement ring goes missing, he suspects his three closest friends. Each friend tells his side of the story as a different genre — a sitcom, a musical, an arthouse film, and more — and Bryce must piece together the clues to expose the culprit.
Focus On Asian Stories
Two mysterious women arrive at an inn.
Ghengis Khan Conquers The Moon
In Genghis Khan’s last days, an encounter with a Wizard sends him to the Moon. Just as the Medieval anti-hero thinks he’s made his greatest conquest, he finds himself on a spiritual quest, realizing the absurd clash between one man’s need and the silence of the Universe.
TO EXPLORE MUSIC!
Looking to add some new artists to your playlist? Might as well make them Trojans! Trojan Talent highlights how some students took their time in quarantine as an opportunity to flex their music muscles and create some original songs. The article, Quarantunes Music Competition, features five songs by different artists and groups (some even accompanied with music videos) and each is worthy of a quick listen!
Little Girl By Lila Forde
Think About It By Yashvardhan Vaid
Hold On By JaJa Tong, Brendan Carroll, Christy Moon, Tristan Elma, Hayley Feinstein, Arnav Rashid, Jazmin Polido
Golden Girl By Ben Ragasa and Maddie Wu
Together By Patrick Gil, Emily Kuo, Aaron Sha, Grace Trang, Tiffany Wong
TO EXPLORE ART!
Trojan Talent has an article directing people to the Roski Art & Design Showcase which lists tons and tons of students and artwork to sift through. The range in art and design is incredibly diverse and impressive. Below are just a few of the many pieces available for viewing on their site. These few pieces don’t even begin to cover it so be sure to give them all a look yourself!
Alexis C. McDonald, “Black Hair Magic”, 2015
Soyoung Lee, “Erin, a virtual assistant for social wellness”, 2020
Casey Kauffmann, “Lookatme#dontlookatme”, 2018
Jose Guadalupe Sanchez III, "Luis”, 2020
Trojan Talent also details some of Roski’s art work through the hashtag #roskiatfisher2020 on Instagram!
Kelsey Brembry, ”Arrest the Cops Who Killed Breonna Taylor”, 2020
Qianze Zhang, “This Side of the Water”, 2020
Samantha Dewey, ”Paper Dress”, 2020
This only scratches the surface of all that Trojan Talent has to offer. I haven’t even touched on all the scientific discoveries made by USC students that are highlighted on the site; from creating a “device to inexpensively map the ocean’s underwater topography” to creating “courses on student well-being”.Whether you’re looking to check out a movie, song, art, or a new invention — check out Trojan Talent first!
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Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students.
