Cody Gifford is the founder of the Gifford Media Group, a company that produces film, television, and new media content for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, such as HBO Films, Warner Bros. Television, MGM, and The Hallmark Channel. He is also a professional screenwriter whose work has been featured by The Black List, a website that showcases the best-unproduced scripts in Hollywood.
But before he became a successful media mogul, Cody Gifford was a student who pursued his passion for storytelling and filmmaking at one of the most prestigious universities in the United States: the University of Southern California (USC). Let’s take a look at his educational background and how it influenced his career.
| Name | Cody Newton Gifford |
|---|---|
| College Attended | University of Southern California (USC) |
| Degree(s) Earned | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English |
| Field of Study/Major | English (Creative Writing) |
| Graduation Year | 2012 |
Educational Journey
Cody Gifford attended USC from 2008 to 2012, where he majored in English with an emphasis on creative writing. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.9 GPA and received several honors and awards, such as the Phi Beta Kappa Society membership, the Renaissance Scholar distinction, and the USC Presidential Scholarship.
During his college years, Cody Gifford developed his skills and knowledge in various aspects of storytelling, such as literature, poetry, screenwriting, and film production. He took courses from renowned professors and mentors, such as Aimee Bender, T.C. Boyle, David St. John, Howard Rodman, and Mark Jonathan Harris.
He also participated in extracurricular activities and societies that enriched his college experience, such as the USC Trojan Vision Television Station, the USC Scripter Awards Committee, the USC Student Film Festival Committee, and the USC Creative Writing Club.
Cody Gifford also took advantage of the opportunities that USC offered to its students to explore other cultures and perspectives. He studied abroad at the University of Oxford in England for a semester, where he wrote for the university’s oldest independent newspaper, Cherwell. He also traveled to China with the USC School of Cinematic Arts to learn about the Chinese film industry and culture.
Early Life and Background
Cody Gifford was born on March 22, 1990, in New York City. He is the son of Frank Gifford, a former NFL player and sportscaster, and Kathie Lee Gifford, a singer, actress, and TV host. He has a younger sister, Cassidy Gifford, who is also an actress. He also has three older half-siblings from his father’s previous marriage: Kyle Gifford, Jeff Gifford, and Vicky Gifford Kennedy.
Growing up in a family of celebrities exposed Cody Gifford to the world of media and entertainment from an early age. He has shown an interest in writing and filmmaking since he was a child. He wanted to be in the movie Big Daddy (1999), but his mother rejected the role after reading the script. He also wrote his first screenplay when he was 12 years old.
Cody Gifford attended high school at The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California. He was an excellent student who excelled academically and socially. He played squash and piano and was involved in various clubs and activities. He graduated from high school in 2008 with honors.
Post-College Journey
After graduating from USC in 2012, Cody Gifford started his career as a script reader at Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions. He then transitioned to Twentieth Century Fox as a writer’s assistant. He also worked as a freelance writer for various publications and websites.
In 2014, Cody Gifford founded his own company, the Gifford Media Group (GMG), with the mission of producing high-quality content for film, television, and new media platforms. He has sold, developed, and executive-produced projects for major studios and networks, such as HBO Films (The Glory Game), Warner Bros. Television (American Patriot), MGM (Untitled Johnny Rosselli Project), and The Hallmark Channel (A Timeless Christmas). He is also working on his original scripts that have been recognized by The Black List.
Cody Gifford is also a media consultant who advises and collaborates with various organizations and individuals on their media strategies and projects. He is a member of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts Leadership Circle, a group of alumni who support and mentor current students and faculty. He is also a frequent guest speaker and panelist at various events and forums related to media and entertainment.
Impact and Significance
Cody Gifford is one of the most influential and successful producers and writers in the media industry today. He has created and contributed to content that has entertained, informed, and inspired millions of viewers around the world. He has also received critical acclaim and recognition for his work, such as nominations for the Emmy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, and the Writers Guild of America Awards.
Cody Gifford’s educational background has played a significant role in his career and achievements. He has credited USC for providing him with the skills, knowledge, network, and opportunities that have helped him pursue his passion and goals. He has also expressed his gratitude and appreciation for his professors, mentors, classmates, and friends who have supported and influenced him along the way.
Interesting Anecdotes or Trivia
Here are some interesting facts and stories about Cody Gifford’s college years that you may not know:
- Cody Gifford met his wife, Erika Brown, at USC. They were both students in the same creative writing class taught by Professor Aimee Bender. They got engaged in 2019 and married in 2020.
- Cody Gifford was one of the students who helped select the winners of the USC Scripter Awards, an annual award that honors the best adaptation of a written work into a film or television show. He was part of the committee that chose The Social Network (2010) as the winner in 2011.
- Cody Gifford once interviewed legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg for a USC student magazine. He asked him about his advice for aspiring filmmakers and his thoughts on the future of cinema.
- Cody Gifford was a fan of Harry Potter books and movies. He visited the filming locations of the Harry Potter series when he studied abroad at Oxford. He also attended the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) in London.
Relevance to Today’s Students
Cody Gifford’s college journey is an inspiring example for students who want to pursue a career in media and entertainment or any other field that requires creativity, innovation, and collaboration. Here are some lessons or takeaways that current students can learn from their college journey:
- Follow your passion and interests. Cody Gifford chose to major in English with an emphasis on creative writing because he loved storytelling and filmmaking. He did not let his family’s fame or expectations limit or define his choices. He followed his path and pursued his own goals.
- Take advantage of the opportunities that college offers. Cody Gifford made the most of his college experience by taking courses from different disciplines, studying abroad, participating in extracurricular activities, and networking with professors and peers. He learned from different perspectives, cultures, and experiences that enriched his education and career.
- Be proactive and persistent. Cody Gifford did not wait for opportunities to come to him. He created his opportunities by writing his scripts, pitching his projects, starting his own company, and collaborating with others. He also faced challenges and rejections along the way, but he did not give up on his dreams.
Conclusion
Cody Gifford is a remarkable person who has achieved great success in the media industry as a producer, writer, and consultant. His college journey at USC was an important part of his personal and professional development. He gained valuable skills, knowledge, connections, and experiences that helped him shape his career and life.
We hope that this article has given you some insight into Cody Gifford’s college journey and how it influenced his work and achievements. We also hope it has inspired you to pursue your college education goals and follow your passion.
Thank you for reading this article. If you enjoyed it, please share it with your friends or leave a comment below. We would love to hear your feedback or questions.