LA Examiner

Tag: film school

  • Los Angeles Film School Alumni Take Home 8 GRAMMY Wins

    Los Angeles Film School Alumni Take Home 8 GRAMMY Wins

    Image credit: Unsplash

    Excitement was high at the GRAMMYs this weekend as hundreds of music industry professionals gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate the year’s talent, sipping martinis and exchanging pleasantries and expectations about how the awards would go. Enthusiasm was particularly strong for alumni of The Los Angeles Recording School, a division of The Los Angeles Film School, many of whom were nominated this year. 

    Seven of the School’s alumni took home GRAMMY wins this year on five albums—eight awards in total—showcasing their work with such stars as Beyoncé, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, and others.

    “Cowboy Carter”

    Beyoncé’s album Cowboy Carter claimed three GRAMMY awards: Album of the Year, Best Country Album, and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Credited as contributors for the wins were four Los Angeles Film School alumni, including recording engineers Henrique Andrade (class of 2011) and Brandon Harding (class of 2013), as well as mixing engineer Jaycen Joshua (class of 2003) and assistant engineer Jacob Richards (class of 2017).

    This was engineer Brandon Harding’s first GRAMMY win; he was named individually to receive Album of the Year. Harding has actually been nominated twice before (in 2023) for his contributions to Beyoncé’s Renaissance album.

    “Revenge”

    Two of the engineers credited for work on Cowboy Carter, Jaycen Joshua and Jacob Richards, were also recognized for their work on Muni Long’s album, Revenge, which won this year’s GRAMMY for Best R&B Performance.

    “Every project is a journey,” Richards remarked, “and this recognition represents the incredible path alumni like me have created in the music industry. This acknowledgment goes beyond personal achievement—it’s about the collective creativity, attention to detail, and commitment to the craft we bring to every opportunity.”

    “Short n’ Sweet”

    Anthony Vilchis (class of 2018), a mixing engineer with over 600 major label credits, was awarded for his work as an assistant mixer and studio personnel for Sabrina Carpenter’s album Short n’ Sweet, which received two GRAMMYs, one for Best Pop Solo Performance and the other for Best Pop Vocal Album. 

    Other Credits

    There were more awards, too. Engineer Julio Ulloa (class of 2015) was credited for his contribution to Nxworries’ album Why Lawd?, which won the GRAMMY for Best Progressive R&B Album. Mixing engineer Hector Castro (class of 2014) was recognized for his work on SZA’s hit single “Saturn,” which received the GRAMMY for Best R&B Song.

    A Source of Pride for The Los Angeles Film School

    Founded in 1999 (and adding the LA Recording School as one of its divisions in 2010), Hollywood’s LA Film School has established a legacy to be proud of. The school is where Oscar-winning sound designer Phillip Bladh got his start, and its roster of alums have worked on many multi-platinum records, GRAMMY-awarded and GRAMMY-nominated albums, and Oscar-winning films, and have been recognized at film festivals internationally. Sunday’s wins for its alums were today’s chapter in a twenty-year story.

    The Los Angeles Film School’s offerings cover a broad range of fields and careers in the modern music industry. It offers entertainment-focused Bachelor of Science degrees in Animation, Audio Production, Digital Filmmaking, Entertainment Business, Film Production, Graphic Design, Media Communications, Music Production, and Writing for Film and TV, as well as several two-year degree programs. The hands-on education exposes students to industry equipment, editing labs, dub stages, and advanced recording studios.

    Given this year’s wins and the school’s mission of shaping passionate students into industry-defining professionals, it will be exciting to see what both those awarded at the GRAMMYs on Sunday and the school’s other alums achieve in the years to come.

    For more information on The Los Angeles Film School or The Los Angeles Recording School, check out their website at lafilm.edu.

  • The L.A. Film School Named a Top U.S. Film School for Fifth Consecutive Year

    The L.A. Film School Named a Top U.S. Film School for Fifth Consecutive Year

    Image credit: Unsplash

    The Los Angeles Film School has once again been ranked among the nation’s top film schools, securing a place in TheWrap magazine’s 2024 Top 50 Film Schools list. Known for its robust curriculum that merges technical skills with artistic exploration, the L.A. Film School is celebrated for preparing the next generation of filmmakers and entertainment professionals, offering an immersive education that uniquely balances hands-on experience with theoretical knowledge.

    TheWrap, an American digital news platform that covers entertainment, media, and technology, focuses most content on Hollywood but also the broader entertainment industry. They offer in-depth reporting on industry trends, box office analysis, awards season coverage, and exclusive interviews with entertainment leaders. In addition to their Top 50 Film Schools list, they host events, including TheGrill conference, which features discussions on entertainment and tech innovation.

    TheWrap’s annual Top 50 Film Schools list is based on a detailed evaluation of key factors, such as student demographics, class sizes, networking opportunities, and insights from industry experts, all of which contribute to identifying the leading institutions in film and entertainment education. This year marks the fifth consecutive year the L.A. Film School has made the list, underscoring the school’s reputation as one of the premier creative learning hubs in the country.

    In 2024, the L.A. Film School celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of excellence in entertainment education. With 50 of its alumni contributing to projects that collectively received an impressive 299 Emmy nominations, the school’s impact on the industry is clear, as its training consistently propels students towards successful careers. From celebrated award-winning films to groundbreaking projects in animation, music production, and digital media, L.A. Film School alumni have left a lasting impression on the entertainment world. This impression speaks volumes of the school’s commitment to cultivating talent, creativity, and the technical skills required to excel in an evolving industry.

    Located in the historic RCA Building on Sunset Boulevard, the L.A. Film School takes pride in its Hollywood location, which, according to TheWrap, “blurs the lines between education and real-world experience.” Students benefit immensely from access to industry-standard facilities, including professional studios and editing labs. The school’s supportive network of faculty and accomplished alumni– many of whom have received Grammy and Oscar nominations– further enhances the learning experience, providing invaluable mentorship and firsthand insights into careers in film, music, gaming, and other entertainment sectors.

    “Being recognized, once again, by TheWrap reaffirms our commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers, animators, music producers, and the many entertainment industry professionals who share the stories we see and hear,” said Tammy Elliot, president of the school. “This accolade celebrates our faculty’s dedication, our students’ hard work, and our alumni’s impressive accomplishments across the industry.”

    The L.A. Film School offers 18 different undergraduate degrees, both on campus and online, covering fields like Animation, Audio Production, Digital Filmmaking, Film Production, and Music Production. Each program is designed to equip students with industry-relevant skills and experience, ensuring they are well-prepared to step into competitive roles across the entertainment industry. 

    The L.A. Film School emphasizes real-world preparation by offering students access to exclusive industry events, guest lectures, and internship opportunities that encourage hands-on learning. This exposure to current industry trends and professional networks enhances students’ education experience and keeps them up-to-speed with everything recent in film and entertainment.

    By combining top-of-the-line facilities with experienced faculty who have earned accolades across film, music, and digital media, the L.A. Film School encourages a supportive and innovative learning environment. Students graduate not only with technical expertise but also with a valuable network of industry contacts and mentors, opening the doors for successful careers in their chosen fields.