Film Terminology

From TikTok to Cinema: The Film Terminology Behind Viral Trends

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There is a massive divide between the language of social media and the language of professional filmmaking. On TikTok, you might call it a "transition" or a "beat drop." But if you walk into an edit bay in Hollywood and use those words, you might get a blank stare. To turn your social media hobby into a career, you need to learn the language of the trade. The good news? You are already doing the work. The techniques that make a Reel go viral are often deeply rooted in cinema history.
2026 Oscar Winners

2026 Oscar Winners: Celebrating Our Alumni on Hollywood’s Biggest Night

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The 98th Academy Awards have officially wrapped. The biggest night in film delivered unforgettable moments, and, for our community, reasons to celebrate! Alumni of The Los Angeles Film School and The Los Angeles Recording School contributed to some of the most honored films of the evening, including the night's biggest winner, One Battle After Another, as well as Sinners, F1, and Avatar: Fire and Ash.
SXSW 2026

SXSW 2026: The Visual Album Takes Center Stage (No Badge Required)

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While the Austin Convention Center prepares for the 40th anniversary of SXSW 2026, a quiet revolution is happening online. This year, with the Music and Film & TV festivals running concurrently for the first time, the line between music video and short film has all but vanished. For those of us watching from afar, SXSW 2026 offers a digital treasure trove of "visual albums" and cinematic music experiences accessible with a click.
The Female Gaze is Anamorphic: The Rise of the Female Cinematographer

The Female Gaze is Anamorphic: The Rise of the Female Cinematographer

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March is Women’s History Month, a time usually reserved for looking back at the pioneers who paved the way. But this March, the most exciting story isn't in the past—it’s happening on the biggest screen possible. For fifty years, film students have debated "The Female Gaze" in theory classes. We’ve analyzed it as a narrative device or a political statement about who is being looked at. But this Women's History Month, the conversation has shifted. The female gaze is no longer just a metaphor for empathy or softness. It is technical. It is heavy. And thanks to the historic Oscar nomination for Sinners, we know it is anamorphic.
adult animation

Strange, but brilliant: How adult cartoons stopped playing by the rules

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These shows make us laugh at politics, squirm at taboos and sometimes even confront the darker sides of ourselves. They prove that cartoons can be satire, tragedy and philosophy all at once. How did animation make the leap from kids’ playgrounds to grown-up conversations? Let’s take a closer look at the milestones that turned cartoons into a safe space for adults too.
Cynthia Hernandezgarcia

Cynthia Hernandezgarcia

LA Film School animation alum Cynthia Hernandezgarcia has built an impressive career spanning DreamWorks, DreamEast Pictures, Netflix, and Nickelodeon. Starting as an intern in China in 2017, she quickly rose through the ranks, eventually managing productions for beloved Nickelodeon series like The Casagrandes and Fairly Odd Parents: A New Wish, and serving as production manager for Netflix's The Soccer Football Movie.
jessica bail

Jessica Bail

From Fox to FX, Lionsgate, and MGM,  The Los Angeles Film School alum Jessica Bail has lent her producing and post-production expertise to some of the top networks in entertainment, working on shows that have starred award-winning talent like Billy Bob Thornton, Diane Lane, Jason Bateman, and Aubrey Plaza.
Taylor Black

Taylor Black

Since graduating from The Los Angeles Film School’s film program in 2004, colorist Taylor Black has worked on over 100 films and series making him a go-to creative artist in the fast-paced entertainment industry. Taylor is currently putting all that he learned at The L.A. Film School to work as an in-demand Senior Colorist at Apache Digital– a Dolby certified facility with a primary focus on color and finishing for the film, television, and streaming industries.
2026 Oscar

And the Nominees Are… Celebrating Our Grads in the 2026 Oscar Race

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The 98th Academy Awards are coming up fast. While the world debates who will take home the gold, we are doing what we love most: scanning the credits to celebrate the alumni of The Los Angeles Film School and The Los Angeles Recording School who helped bring these films to life. This year, our graduates are represented across several heavy hitters, including the massive 16-nomination sweeper Sinners, the critically acclaimed One Battle After Another, and the high-octane F1.