Northrop Davis is a screenwriter and director who teaches feature and television screenwriting and manga/anime studies. He earned his B. A. at Duke University and his MFA at California Institute of the Arts.
Biographical Profile
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Art
Tenure Status
Tenured
International Activity
International Activities
Yes
Type of Activity
Research, Creative activity, Teaching
Countries
China, Japan
Institutional Focus Areas
Arts and Humanities
Extended Residence in Foreign Country
No
Speaks Non-English Language
No
Interest Background
Do you include students in your research?
Undergraduates and Graduates
Institutional Focus Areas
Arts and Humanities
Personal Focus Areas
Manga
Professional Preparation(Education & Training)
Dates
Institution
Location
Degree
Field of Study
1982
Duke University
B.A.
History/English
1986
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
M.F.A.
Live action and screenwriting
Memberships & Professional Activities
Dates
Type
Description
Institution/Entity
03/2009 - Present
Membership
University Film and Video Association
University Film and Video Association
Membership
Lifetime Vested Member
Writers Guild of America, West
01/2002 - Present
Professional Activity
WGA Asian Writers Committee
Writers Guild of America, West
01/2003 - Present
Professional Activity
WGA Latino Writers Committee
Writers Guild of America, West
08/2010 - Present
Professional Activity
WGA Writers Education Committee
Writers Guild of America, West
07/2013 - 08/2013
Professional Activity
Committee Member of Officers Nomination Committee
University Film and Video Association (UFVA)
Positions & Appointments
Dates
Description
Institution/Entity
2006 - 2008
Instructor, 3 different courses, including: "Art and business of manga and anime"
University of California, Irvine
01/2020 - Present
Full Professor, Screenwriting, Japanese manga and anime and television writing
University of South Carolina, School of Visual Art and Design/Media Arts
Commercial director: KCRW
KCRW 89.9 FM, National Public Radio, Santa Monica, CA
Screenwriter: 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Sony/Columbia [various dates]
20th Century Fox Film Corporation, Warner Brothers, Columbia/Sony Pictures
Recognition Awards, Honors, & Fellowships
Dates
Type
Description
Foundation/Entity
2012
Award
Grant for "Creation of a manga based on a screenplay by Northrop Davis"
Office of the Provost
2012
Award
Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Awards
University of South Carolina
2015
Award
Breakthrough Star Award, awarded “to faculty from a wide variety of disciplines, who show phenomenal commitment to their fields through research and scholarly activity.” (quote from award letter)
Office of the Vice President for Research, University of South Carolina
2015
Award
Hoso Bunka Foundation Award (2015-2017) Funded by Japanese public TV broadcast network NHK for research on American anime localization.
Hoso Bunka Foundation
2017
Award
USC Provost’s Creative and Performing Arts Grant, $18,200 (2017) To fund artists for vol. 2 The Hole: Space Airport of the manga production project,written, originated and supervised by Northrop Davis (sole P.I.).
University of South Carolina
2021
Award
College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Grant $10,000 (2021) To fund artists for vol. 3 The Hole manga project, written by and creative director N. Davis (sole P.I.)
College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina
2023
Award
Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor of the Year Award
University of South Carolina
2010
Honor
Selected Scholar of the Month by the USC Office of the Vice President of Research "to recognize our outstanding scholars from across USC.”
University of South Carolina
2012
Honor
USC Featured Scholar of the Month- June 2012: described by the Vice President of Research's office website as: "to recognize our outstanding scholars from across the University's diverse schools, colleges and campuses"
USC Office of the Vice President of Research
2012
Honor
USC Freshman Convocation Speaker, 2012
selected by Dean's office
2013
Honor
Invited by Dean Mary Anne Fitzpatrick to speak at USC Freshman Convocation
University of South Carolina
2017
Honor
Nominated for the Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor Award
University of South Carolina
2019
Honor
Nominated for the Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor Award
University of South Carolina
2019
Honor
Invited to walk with the Mace Party by the Trustees Office/President Pastides at commencement
University of South Carolina
2022
Honor
Nominated for the Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor. First/final runner-up in 2022Award
University of South Carolina
The two sections below (Awards and Pending Proposals) are only viewable by PIs, business managers, chairs, and deans.
Major Equipment
(Not Shared) Awarded several outside software grants (approx. $48,000) for student and faculty use for screenwriting and television writing software (Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter) and story development software (Dramatica Pro and Dramatica Story Expert)