Do you ever ask yourself life’s big questions: How can I become $3,000 richer? How can I break into the film industry? How can I impress Andy McMahon?

The answer is that you can achieve all this and more by entering the USC Science Film Competition.

Here’s how:

1. October 4, 2013, from 5–6:30 p.m.: This Friday, go eat the free pizza and meet USC film students at the Doheny Library Intellectual Commons (DML 233). To attend this meet-and-greet designed to connect USC film and science students, RSVP to Clifford Johnson at johnson1@usc.edu or like the event on Facebook (facebook.com/sciencefilmusc).

2. October 16, 2013: Form a team with some film students and register for the competition.
 
3. February 15, 2014: Submit your short film or animation about stem cells, reprogramming, etc.

4. March 7, 2014: Attend the Screening Festival and Prizes Award Ceremony at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Get rich — $3,000 for first prize, $2,000 for second prize and $1,000 for third prize.

Be sure to sign up on the blog sciencefilmblog.usc.edu to connect with potential teammates, like facebook.com/sciencefilmusc and follow twitter.com/sciencefilmusc. Also, check out last year’s winning short films, including “Stem Cell Billy,” at youtube.com/sciencefilmusc2013.

Remember, fortune rewards the bold, and Oscars have been won for lesser endeavors.