The University of Southern Californias School of Cinema is holding summer course at Cinecitt Studios 7 July-15 Aug. USC was the first university to offer a degree in cinema, and this is the second year it is holding classes in Rome. Cinecitt, located in the south-eastern area of the city, covers 400,000 sqm and has been site of filming for over 3,000 films, including the classics "Ben Hur" and "The Godfather III", and more recently "U-571" and "Gangs of New York".

Three modules are on offer: beginning screenwriting (2 units, Tues and Thurs 09.30-12.30), Italian cinema studies (4 units, Tues and Thurs 14.00-18.00) and production class (4 units, Mon, Wed and Fri 13.30-17.00). Each unit costs $891, plus a $50 equipment fee for the production class.