Los Angeles Film School Alumni Make an Impact in December: From Disney’s Mufasa to NCIS: Origins
December 2024 was a breakthrough month for alumni of the Los Angeles Film School with contributions to several major Hollywood productions. Mikaela Padilla, Alyssa Ulrich, and Josiah Zavala were involved in bringing Disney’s hit Mufasa: The Lion King to the screen. Padilla, Brandon Trost and Chun-Ning Chang had important credits on Sonic the Hedgehog 3, while Daniel Egbert lent his writing talent on CBS’s NCIS: Origins. Additionally, 16 alumni collaborated on the award-winning short film Enipheres, earning 74 festival awards. Read on and learn how our alumni continue to shape the entertainment industry.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Mikaela Padilla (Audio Production 2022) has been busy working as a Foley Mixer on a number of high-profile films, including Wicked, Mufasa, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Two other LA Film School alumni joined her on the production of Mufasa: Alyssa Ulrich (Entertainment Business 2019) was credited as an Assistant Production Coordinator and Josiah Zavala (Film 2013) was a Visual Effects Editor on the film.
Synopsis:
From Fandango
“Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka–the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny–their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Spotlight Academy member Brandon Trost (Film 2000) showcased his expertise as the Director of Photography for the highly anticipated sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 3, starring Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves. His work helped bring the visually stunning world of Sonic to life. Trost wasn’t the only Los Angeles Film School graduate involved in the film—Chun-Ning Chang (Film 2013) contributed as a Production Assistant, while Mikaela Padilla (Audio Production 2022) lent her talents as a Foley Mixer, ensuring top-tier sound design.
Synopsis
From sonicthehedgehogmovie.com:
Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
NCIS: Origins
Daniel Egbert (Film 2017) works as a Staff Writer for CBS Studios and was most recently credited as a writer on 4 episodes of NCIS: Origins. Previously, he was a finalist in the 2024 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, and a semifinalist in the 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship. He is the 2021 recipient of the Richard P. Rogers Spirit Of Excellence Award For Directing presented by AFI Fest, and one of twelve directors selected for the seventh annual CAA Moebius Showcase. A Marine Corps veteran, he served four deployments including both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Synopsis:
From CBS
NCIS: ORIGINS follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in 1991, years prior to the events of NCIS, and is narrated by Mark Harmon. In the series, Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid).
Enipheres
A short film entitled Enipheres featured 16 alumni throughout the production and post-production process. In total, they have won 74 awards and 15 nominations in the film festival circuit! Alumni credits include the following: SFX Team: Danny Urena, Johnathan Alcerro, Daniel Vanlandingham, Kevin Palencia, Ryan Livian, Michael Rendon; Illustrator (for comic book): Arkiel Fornoles; Production Assistant: Jasmine (aka Jay Levi) Castro; 1st AD: Willie Bass-Griffin; BTS Photographer/Boom Operator: Hernan Ancerra; Grips: Vionna Lam, Jesse Mejia, Andre Monroe; Gaffer: Dustin Prewitt; 2nd AC: Omar Weatherburne; 1st AC: Teddy C. White; Composer: Josh Huck
Synopsis:
from IMDB
After realizing she is the link to saving the inhabitants of earth, one woman and her allies take on a corrupt organization to save the planet and humanity.
Learn More:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7513360
https://www.illuminationparadox.com/proof-of-concept-photos
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We love learning about what our alums are working on in the entertainment industry. If you’re an L.A. Film School alum with an upcoming project, tell us about it! Connect with us and send your project details!