A Night of Excellence: 37th Annual USC Libraries Scripter Awards Shine the Spotlight on Screenwriters

The 37th annual USC Libraries Scripter Awards was a resounding success! Members oxf the arts and entertainment community, university faculty, school alumni, and philanthropic partners gathered at the spectacular Town and Gown Ballroom on the USC campus for the exciting high-end event honoring excellence in screenwriting.

The lavish courtyard was the perfect gathering space for attendees to mingle with honorees and nominees. Immersed in a festive atmosphere, guests displayed enthusiasm and support for the event, which is an important tradition at USC and a true cornerstone in fundraising efforts for the libraries.

This signature event is vital in helping USC libraries achieve high-quality programming efforts. Specifically, the event’s proceeds support the USC Libraries’ services, collections, and programs that inspire and inform the achievements of the university’s faculty, students, and staff.

This year’s event resembled a stunning high-fashion runway display, featuring exquisite couture designs across the audience. On the red carpet, Melissa Just, Dean of the USC Libraries System, spoke with veteran journalist Germany Kent about her tenure serving the past two years chairing the prestigious event.

“I am fortunate to have so many people pave the path for the success of this event for this to be in its thirty-seventh year it’s amazing. The best part about the Scripter is this is the only award that celebrates the written word, which sets us apart from everything else that is out there. This is why the library started Scripter thirty-seven years ago which is our bread and butter,” the dean said.

“We are thrilled to recognize (every year) original writing and the adaptation of that original writing”.

“I think most people who aren’t current students studying in the library for an exam just don’t think about the role that we play on campus and in the broader society so having a visible event like this makes it visible to an audience who maybe don’t even know that were here on campus,” Just said.

“We have such a wonderful event. It’s such a great opportunity to come and hear writers and screenwriters talk about their work and celebrate it and appreciate the work that they do,” the dean noted.

Before moving into the ballroom, guests enjoyed a delightful blend of hors d’oeuvres with an open bar for the joyous celebration. This year’s sponsorship of the reception cocktails and bar was courtesy of Lesley and Jon S. Summers.

It was a night filled with fun and celebration. However, once inside the ballroom, the tone shifted as the dean reflected upon the recent turmoil the city has faced with the widespread destruction caused by the wildfires. Just spoke eloquently yet candidly about the impact showing that the devastation is still top of mind by addressing “those in the room who have been directly and indirectly impacted.”

“As our city focuses on rebuilding in the Palisades and in Altadena, we gather together to celebrate and carry on long celebratory traditions. This is also a key element of honoring the people and the communities that we hold dear and for our beloved Los Angeles,” Just said.

“We stand in solidarity with inspiring efforts across our city to cover, restore, and renew the Los Angeles we love. The Los Angeles that gave rise to great universities like ours. Gave rise to our regions’ extraordinary talents for innovation across so many fields and gave rise to the creative achievements we honor every year at Scripter,” Just said. ​​The audience gave a rousing cheer.

The dean also acknowledged the tireless efforts of others in the library system. “Our celebration tonight (for example) owes much, perhaps everything, to the people who have contributed to making Scripter what it is today.”

“We also see the enduring results of similar foresight and dedication by those who came before us throughout our campus libraries,” Just said.

Dedicated to inspiring students, faculty collaborations, and engaging researchers from around the world, the libraries cultivate an appreciation of the knowledge of the past and its role in informing the scholarship of the future in so doing, the libraries contribute to the continued success of the University of Southern California.

Howard A. Rodman, the selection committee chair, took the time to discuss what it means for him to be a part of the Scripter Awards.

“I have the honor and pleasure of being the chair of the selection committee for the Scripter Awards for almost twenty years now. And, it has been such a real thrill (year after year after year) to honor not just movies or tv shows not just books but the process of translation from one to the other which I think often goes unremarked. I don’t know of any other awards show that honors adaptation and theme that was adapted,” Rodman said.

This year Rodman is being honored. “It has been a great, great ride I am just so pleased that after 19 years of giving awards, I get to get a little award too. Also, at this point in my life, it’s all about price per wear on the tuxedo,” Rodman stated humorously.

When asked what he wanted his legacy to be Rodman told me, “I would like my legacy to be he put his shoulder to the wheel of caring for the community of writers and forging a community of writers and left that world better than he found it.”

“Nickel Boys” director/co-writer RaMell Ross told me it was an honor to be a nominee for the Scripter Award. “I think it means the world. The writing often gets left behind for directing. It’s the baseline of the vision – the vision I think starts in the writing process,” Ross said.

Ross, already a Peabody Award winner for his directorial debut, said “Joslyn Barnes, my co-writer, and I are thrilled to be here.”

Other attendees included USC Libraries co-founder Glenn Sonnenberg, screenwriter Peter Straughan (Conclave), screenwriters Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar (Sing Sing), screenwriter and author Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer), screenwriter Steven Zaillian (Ripley), screenwriter Joshua Zetumer (Say Nothing), screenwriters Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks (Shōgun), actress Jennifer Beals, and more.

Distinguished guests attend the 37th Annual USC Libraries Scripter Awards (Photo by Germany Kent)

ABOUT THE SCRIPTER AWARDS

Since 1988, the USC Libraries Scripter Award has honored each year’s best adaptation of the printed word to film, and since 2016, episodic series adaptation. Scripter celebrates writers and writing, collaboration, and the profound results of transforming one artistic medium into another. It stands as an emblem of the libraries’ ability to inspire creative and scholarly achievement.