Spotlight Week Event Schedule
Get ready to join our biggest event of the year! Spotlight Week is an interactive celebration that brings students and alumni together for a week-long event series that begins Monday, September 9.
From September 9-12, we invite our school community to participate in industry-specific events such as leadership panels, a gear expo, a rooftop bash, and interactive meetups with our talented Spotlight Academy inductees. All events are open to students and alumni with a few exclusive events requiring pre-registration. Keep checking your lafilm.edu email for pre-registration info!
READY…SET…LET’S GO!
All Week
Spotlight Photo Booth
Virtual
The photo booth for Spotlight Week is live and ready for action! Whether you’re on campus or in the comfort of your own home, you can join in on the fun! Show your school spirit and enjoy snapping some epic pics.
Monday, September 9
Platinum Record Celebration
Campus Event
Join us for a special unveiling of a Platinum Record for recording and mixing engineer Mark Lowe for his work on the Black Panther soundtrack. Mark has worked with an impressive roster of artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Paul Wall, Rich The Kid, Vince Staples and more. Exclusive Q&A available to attendees, with a music panel to follow, featuring Mark and other distinguished alumni.
Start Time: 12:00pm PT
Panel: Behind the Music Mix
Hybrid Event
Get ready to dive deep into the world of recording and music production with our upcoming panel featuring a star-studded lineup of distinguished audio, music, and recording alumni! Whether you’re an aspiring producer, a budding engineer, or a music enthusiast eager to learn the secrets behind your favorite tracks, this is your chance to gain unparalleled insights from industry trailblazers who have shaped the soundscape of modern music.
Featured Alumni: Mark Lowe, Jeff Barnes, Vanessa Spinetti, Henrique Andrade, Mario Taylor
Moderator: Isaac Williams
Start Time: 1:00pm PT // 4:00pm ET
Portfolio Reel & Review
Campus Event
Join us for an opportunity to receive personalized feedback and insights from industry veterans. Current students and alumni will have the chance to showcase their reels, portfolios, and most recent projects to a panel of accomplished alumni, each with extensive experience in their respective fields. This is your moment to gain constructive critiques, refine your work, and network with professionals who can provide guidance and inspiration as you embark on your career journey. Don’t miss this chance to make connections and polish your portfolio!
Meet your Alumni Mentors!: Cedric Chabloz, First Assistant Director, Jessica Sterling, Photographer & Business Owner, Vicente Peña, VP, Bungalo Records, Nato Lopez, Music Producer/Mixer (Bad Boys Soundtrack)
Moderator: Freddy Giorlando
Start Time: 3:00pm PT
Critical Thinker’s Society Presents – Student of the Month
Hybrid Event
What does it take to be a student of the month? Come and meet our 2024 LAFS Student of the Month recipients. Come and learn a fresh perspective on how these students stay motivated and achieve success. Is it the budding artist whose doodles and notes turn into films, music, or social masterpieces? Maybe it’s the student who always volunteers and participates in campus events, ensuring that other classmates don’t miss out on the school events. Whether you’re reminiscing about your Student of the Month glory days or eagerly awaiting this month’s announcement, know that you’re part of a tradition that celebrates effort, kindness, and the little things that make school life memorable. Could you be the next student of the month? Panelist include: Ariel Harris, Steffanie Kleiman Palatchi, Gaby Manzanares-Vargas, Katrell Platt and Oliver Boon. Attend, stay until the end to win a prize!
Start Time: 4:00pm PT
Critical Thinker’s Society Presents – Student of the Month Mixer
Campus Event
Come and meet our 2024 LAFS Student of the Month recipients. This is a great networking opportunity! We will have free food and sodas. Then stay and watch as the red carpet prepares for the next event, when they greet luchadores and WWE members!
Start Time: 5:00pm PT
“Love, Blood, & Aztec Demons: The Lost Films of Juan F. Moctezuma II”
Campus Event
We’re excited to invite you to “Love, Blood, & Aztec Demons: The Lost Films of Juan F. Moctezuma II” – a special screening that will take you on a cinematic journey through the lost works of this legendary filmmaker.
Start Time: 6:00pm PT
Tuesday, September 10
Gear Day + Rooftop Bash
Campus Event
Gear Day
Join us for the fifth annual Gear Day, where you’ll experience insider access to some of the biggest brands in gear today! Enjoy one on one conversations, detailed product overviews, demos and exclusives that have been personalized just for our students. Companies include Sony, Red, Apple. Titmouse & more!
Rooftop Bash
Say hello to the ultimate hang out at the LAFS Rooftop Bash! This event is the perfect opportunity to wind down after finals, connect with other students and soak up the summer vibes.
Start Time: 11:00am PT
Sony 360 Virtual Mixing Environment
Campus Event
In-person 10-minute sessions with Sony! Experience Sony’s 360 Virtual Mixing Environment technology. This is a custom HRTF (hearing profile) measurement that accurately reproduces a studios acoustic environment in headphones. Then join us for pizza in the student lounge.
Learn More: https://www.sony.net/Products/create360RA/360VME/
Start Time: Session 1 – 1pm PT
Session 2 – 2pm PT
Panel: Life After LAFS – Recent Grad Edition!
Campus Event
Join us for an engaging and insightful panel featuring recent graduates from the Los Angeles Film School who are now embarking on their own career paths in the media and entertainment industry. These dynamic alumni will share their personal journeys, from the challenges they faced transitioning from student life to professional careers, to the strategies that helped them thrive in the competitive film and entertainment landscape. Whether you’re gearing up for graduation or simply looking for real-world advice, this panel will offer invaluable tips, inspiration, and a glimpse into what lies ahead.
Featured Alumni: Sierra Imari, Ariel Harris, Ray Taylor, Carlo Alcala
Moderator: Santosh Oommen
Start Time: 3:00pm PT
Speed Networking Event
Campus Event
Dive into a fast-paced, dynamic networking experience designed for both current students and alumni. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals, exchange ideas, and forge valuable relationships in a series of quick, focused conversations. Whether you’re seeking mentorship, collaboration opportunities, or insider advice on breaking into your industry, this is your chance to make meaningful connections that can propel your career forward.
Featured Alumni: Ariel Harris, Chase Thomas, Ray Taylor
Moderator: Miles Safford
Start Times: First session: 3:30 pm PT // Second session: 4:30 pm PT
Panel: The Big Break: Finding Success through Alumni Networking
Hybrid Event
Featured Alumni: James Cotton, Brandon Trost, Tristan Thai
Moderator: Joe Byron
Step into the world of industry breakthroughs with our roundtable, where seasoned alumni share their personal “origin stories” and how they worked together on a pivotal film after graduation called Demon Slayer. Discover how these trailblazers navigated their initial jobs in the competitive entertainment landscape and hear firsthand how they’ve leveraged connections within the alumni community to fuel their ongoing success. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or strategies to connect and thrive, this discussion will illuminate the power of networking and community support in achieving industry milestones.
Start Time: 4:30pm PT
Panel: Meet the Spotlight Academy Class of 2024
Hybrid Event
Join us for an inspiring panel featuring the latest inductees of the Spotlight Academy, the prestigious honor reserved for the Los Angeles Film School’s most accomplished alumni. This exclusive event will showcase the remarkable journeys of these trailblazing individuals, who have made significant strides in the film and entertainment industry. Hear firsthand about their groundbreaking projects, career-defining moments, and the wisdom they’ve gained along the way.
Start Time: 6:00pm PT
Wednesday, September 11
Titmouse Animation Presentation
Virtual Event
Join us as team members from Titmouse display emerging animation and technology from the company.
Start Time: 10:00am PT
Virtual Panel: The Future of Entertainment & Technology
Virtual Event
This roundtable discussion features forward-thinking alumni who are exploring groundbreaking technology and reshaping the entertainment industry. This panel will delve into the latest tech trends—from virtual reality and artificial intelligence to advanced visual effects and immersive storytelling techniques—and their impact on creative processes and industry standards. Gain invaluable insights on how these innovations are transforming the landscape and learn practical strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
Featured Speakers: Sierra Imari, Casey McBeath, Nelson Monroig, Besi Zeka, and Corey Drake
Moderator: Chloe Vaughn / Chat Moderator: Rachel Betts
Start Time: 11:00am PT
Art and Animation Challenge
Virtual Event
Join us for an art and animation challenge! Art forms in Sculpting, Concept Drawing or Branding material, Animation and Compositing All materials and prompts will be given the day of the event! Prizes will include: LAFS swag to participants, Winners will receive a custom limited edition, 3D printed LAFS trophy, (More prizes to be confirmed)
Start Time: 1:00pm PT
Virtual Panel: Life after LAFS
Virtual Event
Join us for an engaging and insightful panel featuring graduates from the Los Angeles Film School who have embarked on a diverse array of career paths in the media and entertainment industry. These dynamic alumni will share their personal journeys, from the challenges they faced transitioning from student life to professional careers, to the strategies that helped them thrive in the competitive film and entertainment landscape. Whether you’re gearing up for graduation or simply looking for real-world advice, this panel will offer invaluable tips, inspiration, and a glimpse into what lies ahead.
Featured Alumni: Shane Foster, Davis Chris, Chase Thomas, Stefanie Visser
Moderator: Jackie Otero / Chat Moderator: Rachel Betts
Start Time: 3:00pm PT
Focusrite Mix Engineers Panel
Hybrid Event
Focusrite will be presenting a panel with Grammy award winning audio mixers with Harriet Tam and Rafa Sardina. There will be a discussion and Q&A after the panel.
Start Time: 4:00pm PT
3x3x3 Screenwriters’ Challenge
Virtual Event
Digital Filmmaking Events presents the 4th annual 3x3x3 Screenwriters’ Challenge. The challenge is to write an original narrative short screenplay that meets the 3x3x3 requirements found on FilmFreeway.com/DigitalFilmmakingEvents. All LAFS students and alumni are invited to participate. Visit FilmFreeway for more information and how to submit.
The deadline to submit is August 28th.
Start Time: 5:00pm PT
Thursday, September 12
Open Mic & Spotlight Party (with Blue Carpet, Food, Prizes)
Campus Event
Spotlight 24′ Open Mic Night Students only! Express your creativity through spoken words, songs, and music. This will be a casual open mic night with no pre-submitted tracks. Just come, hang out, get some food and support your fellow students! Then stay and watch the Spotlight Ceremony live on the rooftop!
Start Time: 3:00pm PT
5th Annual Spotlight Awards Ceremony
Get ready to celebrate the 5th Annual Spotlight Awards on September 12, 2024. Five alumni will be inducted into The Los Angeles Film School Spotlight Academy. Every year the Spotlight Awards ceremony inaugurates a new class into #LAFSSpotlight on the final day of Spotlight Week. These individuals have shown their unyielding commitment to excellence in their professional careers and selfless contributions to our students. We are proud to announce James Cotten, Joshua Gitersonke, Mehrnaz Mohabati, Peter Munters, and Marlon Rivas, as our Spotlight Academy Class of 2024.
Start Time: 4:00 p.m. PT // 7:00 p.m. ET
Spotlight Awards – After Party
Campus Event
The after-party will take place following the ceremony on the roof-top of The Los Angeles Film School.
Watch on YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe AND ring the bell to get notified of when we go live!
Join the conversation by tagging @lafilmschool and sharing #LAFSSpotlight
Meet the Spotlight Academy Class of 2024
Learn more about our five amazing alumni who will be inducted into the Spotlight Academy this year!