The USC School of Cinematic Arts is Hollywood's biggest talent factory and easily the most prestigious college at the University of Southern California.
On this day, the area outside the George Lucas Building at USC was packed tight with excited students—so much so that you couldn't squeeze through if you tried.
The campus police alone weren't enough to keep things under control, so USC had to call in 200 extra officers from the LAPD. The scene was massive, almost like an Oscar red carpet event!
Today, the world's youngest billionaire worth over ten billion dollars, Wall Street's most legendary amateur stock guru, Silicon Valley's hottest venture capitalist, and Hollywood's biggest commercial director, Dunn Walker, was set to give a lecture on the theory of commercial filmmaking right here!
Word had it he'd be sharing the secrets behind the success of blockbuster hits like Titanic, Spider-Man, and Never Sinking—an open discussion for all the students and Hollywood peers in attendance.
The buzz wasn't just limited to USC.
Hollywood was just as hyped!
The top brass from the six major studios all showed up. Columbia Pictures' CEO Amy Pascal, 20th Century Fox's president Jim Gianopulos, Paramount's head of production Adam Goodman, Warner Bros.' president Alan Horn, and Universal's president Adam Fogelson were all there.
Disney went even bigger—both chairman Michael Eisner and president Robert Iger showed up together!
On top of that, execs from New Line Cinema, Lionsgate, Legendary Pictures, Pixar, DreamWorks, MGM, and Hollywood Pictures all made the trip, eager to soak up some wisdom.
As for Hollywood producers and directors, the list was even longer!
Names like Akiva Goldsman, Stuart Baird, and Lawrence Gordon were there—talented folks, sure, but not exactly household names.
But when heavyweights like Ang Lee, Robert Zemeckis, James Cameron, Sam Mendes, and George Lucas stepped into the spotlight, the crowd erupted.
This was a lecture on film theory—no big-name actors or celebrities were expected.
Yet these Hollywood titans carried just as much clout—if not more—than any movie star!
George Lucas's arrival, in particular, sparked a near-riot. The students went wild, their enthusiasm rivaling the kind of frenzy you'd see from fans chasing their favorite stars.
After all, this building—the George Lucas Building—was named after him because of his donation!
...
Dunn had arrived early and was up in a fourth-floor office, chatting casually with Dean Sandy Dailey and Vice Dean Alan Baker.
This was a formal academic event, so a makeup artist had gone all out to polish him up. They even put him in a pair of plain glasses to make him look a bit more serious and mature.
Dean Dailey, a woman with a sharp mind, had been a producer at MGM before this gig and even earned an Emmy nomination. She'd been vocal in her support of Dunn's public criticism of the Golden Globes.
But she had more to say. "Mr. Walker," she began earnestly, "would you consider accepting an honorary doctorate from the USC School of Cinematic Arts?"
"Huh?" Dunn blinked, caught off guard. "Is that… allowed? I mean, you know I didn't even finish high school."
Vice Dean Baker chuckled. "A diploma doesn't define everything. Your achievements in film speak for themselves. If you're up for it, we could even pitch the university to bring you on as a guest professor."
Dunn waved that off with a laugh. "Professor? Nah, let's not go there. I'd probably end up confusing the students with what little I know."
Dean Dailey softened her tone. "We get it—you're too busy to teach, and that's fine. But an honorary doctorate? Don't turn that down. Just your work exposing the Golden Globes' shady side has made a huge impact on American cinema. You've more than earned this honor."
Dunn couldn't hide his excitement. A doctorate!
Dr. Walker?
It sounded amazing!
Sure, it was just a title, but in a country like America, where prestige matters, a title like that carried weight.
After thanking them profusely, a thought popped into his head. "Oh, by the way, Dean Dailey, Vice Dean Baker—you've both heard of IMAX technology, right?"
"Of course," Dean Dailey replied instantly. "It's an incredible viewing experience. The problem is there just aren't enough films for it."
Vice Dean Baker nodded. "IMAX cameras are too bulky. They're not practical for mainstream movies."
Dunn grinned. "Well, that's about to change."
"Oh?"
Both Dailey and Baker perked up, their faces lighting up with curiosity.
As academic types and theory buffs, they could see IMAX's untapped potential.
Dunn didn't mind giving himself a little credit. "I've acquired IMAX Corporation. We're working on a new DMR technology that can convert footage shot on regular film or digital cameras into IMAX 70mm prints. Soon, we'll be able to watch real IMAX movies in theaters—not just those old documentaries."
"No way, really?" Vice Dean Baker was practically bouncing in his seat.
Dunn smiled wider. "It's already working. This summer, Dunn Films is dropping two big releases—Spider-Man 2 and Pirate League: Curse of the Black Pearl. Spider-Man 2's schedule is tight, but Pirate League is already in the conversion process. By July, you'll be able to catch those massive pirate ships in all their glory on an IMAX screen."
Dean Dailey gasped. "That's going to be absolutely stunning!"
Vice Dean Baker chimed in, "Yeah, imagine it—those scenes will feel so real. This could be the next big thing for special effects blockbusters!"
Dunn nodded. "Movies are heading toward tech-driven innovation, and theaters will have to keep up. IMAX is the future. Dean Dailey, Vice Dean Baker, I know USC's film school has technical programs, but I bet there's not much focus on IMAX yet. So, I'd like to donate an IMAX Technology Building to help students dive into the latest, most cutting-edge film tech out there."
Donating a building to an American university isn't like slapping up a cheap structure for a few million bucks. You've got to fund the teaching equipment and high-end research gear too.
The George Lucas Building cost over $100 million. Dunn's IMAX tech building? It'd be even pricier!
After 9/11, Dunn Capital had peaked at $9 billion. He'd pumped $7 billion into Dunn Films, tossed $500 million into Scott Swift's venture fund, spent another $500 million on planes and a mansion, and used $500 million to finish buying up Apple shares. That left him with $500 million for day-to-day expenses.
Even after dropping $150 million on this donation, he'd still be sitting pretty.
With $350 million left, he'd earn $20 million a year in interest alone, plus $10-30 million in annual dividends from Hasbro—more than enough to keep his many ladies happy.
But there was more to this donation than just generosity.
For one, it was a thank-you for the honorary doctorate. For another, it was a smart move for his company's future.
IMAX was his, after all!
If students learned IMAX tech at USC, where would they go after graduation? Straight to IMAX Corporation, of course!
Using the school to train his future employees? That's a win-win!
Still, the deans were thrilled. They stood up, shaking Dunn's hand warmly and thanking him over and over.
USC was George Lucas's alma mater, so his donation made sense.
But Dunn? His gift felt like pure generosity.
"What a great guy," Dean Dailey murmured as Dunn headed downstairs to the auditorium.
Vice Dean Baker nodded. "He's so young, so the media's not always kind to him. But his character? He's a role model for this generation. After 9/11, he donated $5 million through Dunn Films in LA, then another $45 million personally in New York!"
Dean Dailey laughed. "Don't forget—he also gave away $50 million of Never Sinking's box office to help victims cope with their trauma."
Baker slapped his forehead. "He's only 24 and he's already donated over $100 million? My God, add this building, and it's pushing $200 million!"
Dailey paused, deep in thought. "Wait, didn't he co-write a book too?"
"Yeah, Gone Girl. Sold over 6.5 million copies nationwide last year. I hear it's getting a movie… Oh, wait, are you thinking—?"
"Yep. Beyond the film school, I think the literature department should offer him an honorary doctorate too!"
...
Dunn shed his suit jacket, grabbed a thermal mug, and strolled onto the stage.
He stood tall, walking with calm confidence—every bit the big-shot entrepreneur.
The crowd below roared with applause!
Dunn was used to this kind of thunderous welcome by now.
In his mind, he'd earned it.
He set his mug on the podium, fiddled with the remote for the PPT slides on the giant screen behind him, and made sure everything was good to go.
Then he took a deep breath, turned to face the room full of filmmakers, professors, students, and reporters, and flashed a small smile.
As if on cue, the applause stopped the moment he settled into place.
"Hey, everyone."
The clapping started up again.
"USC students—hi there!"
It got louder.
"I'm Dunn Walker."
The applause surged like a tidal wave, crashing through the room like the ocean itself.
...
Down in the audience, James Cameron, George Lucas, Sam Mendes, and the others exchanged looks.
Was the lecture starting?
Was this some director's trick to command the room?
Good luck copying that!
belamy20