How Prestigious is LA Film School?

The LA Film School in 2005

When I first applied to the LA Film School for a 2005 start date, the marketing materials received in the mail made me even more eager to attend. Their brochure showcased instructors and faculty who’d worked on huge films like THE MATRIX. And that’s a film I literally watched 18 times in the theater. This Midwest boy was over the moon at the thought of attending the Los Angeles Film School!

LAFS Faculty Prestige

I packed up my 1992 Honda and moved to LA in 2005 to attend The Los Angeles Film School. And I’ve gotta say, the film school did not disappoint. Our directing teacher was an honorary member of the DGA. Editing instructor had cut big studio films back in the day. Sound design instructor worked on Law & Order Special Victims Unit and taught night classes at LAFS. Lighting instructor worked on films like Gremlins.

During my time there LAFS would do screenings of films and invite someone from the film to speak. My favorite was John Toll. What a DP! I was able to casually chat with him and ask about his work. Definitely a privilege.

In terms of faculty prestige and industry knowledge, the LA Film School had it going on. But what about word on the street in LA?

LAFS Industry Access

Other cool parts of The LA Film School besides a location in the heart of Hollywood were things like access to the Universal Studios prop house and training at the official Mole Richardson facility in Hollywood. Granted, these things didn’t do anything for us long term—it’s not that type of access. But it was a nice touch that only comes from attending film school in the heart of the film industry.

Industry Prestige for the LA Film School

After film school I worked as an editorial PA on two films directed by Bob Odenkirk. And “What film school did you graduate from?” was never a topic. Nobody cared. I could’ve graduated from AFI, USC, UCLA or LAFS. It wouldn’t have made a difference. I got the editorial PA job by networking—not because I graduated from LAFS.

I think there’s more industry prestige for schools like USC or AFI. But unless that prestige lands you better jobs or connections it’s irrelevant. Who needs to pay $200K to USC for prestige? It would be better to spend two hundred grand on the slots in Vegas. The results would probably go further.

What Really Matters in the Film Industry

So even though it makes sense to wonder how prestigious the LA Film School or any other film school is, one has to realize the film industry doesn’t work this way. The industry cares about your skills, your connections. It’s really that simple. You’ve gotta network. But you also have to learn the craft and learn it well.

This is the entire point of the Write & Direct training. Instead of nuking your life savings on film school—or even worse taking out huge school loans—we teach you the craft from development through post in a very hands on manner for less than you’ll pay for parking going to LAFS. This frees you to purchase gear that won’t go away after graduation. Which means you can continue making movies, which is what you’ll need to do for honing your craft and building an audience.