The Los Angeles Film School is a rotating professional conservatory.
By “Rotating” we mean that we emphasize that our faculty is a group of working professionals who float between the film school and the real world of production, moving back and forth from classroom to set, and frequently bringing our students with them.
By “Professional” we mean that our faculty is not a group of academics in pursuit of tenure, but instead a variety of talented, highly-skilled, working professionals who are currently making a mark in the film industry while also offering a vibrant and contemporary educational experience to student filmmakers.
By “Conservatory” we mean to underscore the value of a small classroom environment that allows students to focus and excel. It also implies a constant push for “practice.” Students produce far more films at The Los Angeles Film School than at any other educational institution, thereby allowing new filmmakers both the room to fail safely and the time to succeed with grace, elegance and excellence. Instead of having only one or two start dates per year, we start classes every two months to ensure small class sizes.
Our teaching model concentrates on linking the complex technical requirements of filmmaking to the filmmaker’s desires for creative exploration and discovery. For example, in the first week of the program students are trained in the use of a Canon XL1 Digital camera. They spend the following nine weeks shooting a series of exercises that explore everything from character illustration to abstract expression, all while attending a full load of classes in the disciplines of Producing, Screenwriting, Directing, Production Design, Cinematography, Editing, and Sound Design. This teaching model supports the School’s belief that a strong, grounded and practical education in the practice of filmmaking, combined with a detailed awareness and use of cutting-edge technology, will result in a group of professional filmmakers with a forward-thinking attitude about the evolution of the entertainment business.

The Immersion Filmmaking Program, as outlined here, provides 52 weeks, 1100 hours* of comprehensive training and hands-on experience in filmmaking.
*Production hours are minimum estimates. Expect actual production hours to be much higher.

Students engage in 6 hours per week of classes in their chosen concentration and 6 hours in an elective concentration. The elective may be changed from term to term. Concentrations include:

• Cinematography
• Directing
• Editing
• Producing
• Production Design
• Sound Design
• Screenwriting (elective only)

Session One is the introduction period emphasizing project assignment work, collaboration, and an overview of ALL the craft concentrations. It is ten weeks long; during that time a minimum of six shooting assignments are given. Designed to give a broad common technical background and a chance to shoot quickly and expressively, this period is an ideal time for experimentation and exploration of the student's aesthetic and professional goals. At the end of this period the student chooses a concentration and an elective.
Production Period One: Crewing for Advanced Thesis Films (4 weeks)

Session Two is the skills period. The student, having now chosen his concentration and elective, begins extensive technical and artistic training in her/his chosen areas. The period is eight weeks long and culminates in the student’s Pre-Thesis Project.
Production Period Two: Pre-Thesis Production (2 weeks)

Session Three is the thesis preparation period. The program is ten weeks long. Concentration skills are evaluated, enhanced, and refined, and students are guided and drilled through the pre-production requirements of their upcoming Thesis Projects. Production Period Three: Thesis Production (4 weeks)

Session Four is the post-production/careers period. The students are guided through the post-production workflow required for the proper finishing of their thesis films. The program is eight weeks long and culminates in student career counseling which includes reel, resume, and portfolio preparation, an evaluation of the current job market, and assistance with submissions of your project to festivals and for award consideration.