Howard A. Rodman

Howard A. Rodman serves as a Professor in the Writing Division of the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. He concurrently holds significant roles as an artistic director of the Sundance Institute Screenwriting Labs, board member of the Writers Guild of America, West, and active fellow of the Los Angeles Institute for the Humanities for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Rodman's professional practice centers on narrative creation across multiple mediums, with screenwriting forming the core of his artistic identity. His filmography includes critically noted works such as Savage Grace, August, and Joe Gould's Secret, while his literary output features the novel Destiny Express—praised by Thomas Pynchon as 'daringly imagined, darkly romantic—a moral thriller.' His commentary on cultural and industry matters appears regularly in major publications including the New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

His creative methodology integrates historical research with contemporary storytelling techniques, particularly evident in works exploring pre-war European cultural landscapes and Hollywood's institutional dynamics. This interdisciplinary approach bridges film production, literary fiction, and media criticism.

His principal recognitions include:

• Premiere magazine's selection of his screenplay F. among Hollywood's Ten Best Unproduced Screenplays
• Appointment as an Active Fellow of the Los Angeles Institute for the Humanities (2025-2026)

Through his leadership at the Sundance Institute Screenwriting Labs, Rodman actively mentors emerging screenwriters while maintaining industry partnerships with major studios and production entities. His career trajectory—from editor-in-chief of the Cornell Daily Sun to collaborator with auteurs like David Lynch and Steven Soderbergh—demonstrates sustained influence across both independent and studio filmmaking spheres.