Continuing the USC School of Cinematic Arts’ string of Academy Award nominations for more than the past 30 years, the 2010 list includes Jeff Cronenweth ’84 for best cinematography on The Social Network; Mark P. Stoeckinger ’82 for best sound editing on Unstoppable; Addison Teague ’02 for best sound editing on Tron: Legacy; Peter Stark adjunct Mitchell Block, producer of Poster Girl for best documentary short; and Lee Unkrich ’90, who received three nominations for best picture, best animated film and best adapted screenplay for Toy Story 3.

The 83rd Academy Awards will be held Feb. 27.

Grant Supports Reporting on Religion

USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism professor Diane Winston, who holds the Knight Chair in Media and Religion, has received a $300,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to promote excellence in journalism.

Her project, “Promoting Excellence in Journalism Reporting on the Intersection of Religion and Domestic Issues,” aims to expand and enhance exemplary coverage of an underreported topic across media platforms.

Specifically, the project will examine how religion – a defining force for the articulation of morals, values and meaning – shapes opinions, attitudes and activities regarding domestic problems such as sexuality, immigration, poverty, housing and health care.

“At the heart of this project is the conviction that despite upheavals in the news industry, now – more than ever – Americans need exemplary journalism. In-depth and thorough coverage of significant issues enables informed public debate and decision-making,” Winston said.

The project will fund a variety of activities, including a fellowship for Domestic Reporting on Religion; master classes for USC Annenberg journalism students; and seminars at USC convening journalists, graduate journalism students and scholars.

Training Mental Health Professionals for Military Families

The USC School of Social Work’s Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families co-hosted a consortium with the Army Behavioral Health Division’s Marriage and Family Therapy Program to develop a model for training mental health professionals treating military personnel and their families.

A group of 32 senior Department of Defense and military service behavioral health care leaders, distinguished academics, representatives from the Veterans Administration family programs and other behavioral health care experts convened in Los Angeles Jan. 5-6 to develop competencies for behavioral health educators and providers caring for families impacted by military service.

Participants were asked to establish an overarching philosophy, as well as the scope of practice and definition of “military family.”

Trojan Vision Receives Two Top Honors

Trojan Vision, USC’s television station, recently received five Ava Awards in an international competition that recognized exceptional audiovisual work produced by a wide range of applicants, including film production companies, advertising agencies, directors and public relations firms.

During a two-month period, professionals score entries based on creativity, quality and resourcefulness. Entries receiving a score between 90 to 100 points were named platinum winners; those between 80 to 89 points were gold winners; and those between 70 to 79 points received an honorable mention.

Although Trojan Vision has won several gold awards in the past, 2011 is the first year the station received platinum awards – one for its directing and the other for creating one of the top tribute entries.

Cassie Brooksbank, executive producer for special projects for the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a senior majoring in film production, directed and edited the platinum-winning tribute video, an homage to Dean Elizabeth Daley featuring Steven Spielberg and George Lucas..

For the Record

A story about a Seoul study abroad program in the Jan. 31 USC Chronicle featured an incorrect caption. Students in the program visited South Korea, not North Korea.

More stories about: Norris Foundation