If you haven’t heard the name Cynthia Erivo recently, then it’s about time you tuned in. 

With the buzz around the Wicked film adaptation, Erivo has been captivating audiences worldwide, dazzling us all (and quite literally defying gravity).

It’s safe to say that Erivo’s career is nothing short of extraordinary.

From her unforgettable performance as Celie in The Color Purple to her Oscar-nominated portrayal of Harriet Tubman in Harriet, Erivo has consistently raised the bar—not just for herself, but for anyone looking to follow in her footsteps.

And we were beyond honored to sit down with this incredible artist at the Diane Warren Oscar Event, where she shared her inspiring journey, love of storytelling and advice for aspiring creatives.

How The Color Purple Changed Everything

Cynthia Erivo’s career didn’t begin on Broadway or in front of Hollywood cameras—it began with a simple love of musicals.

Growing up in London, with her Nigerian heritage deeply influencing her identity, Erivo pursued her passion by studying at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

Her first break came in the form of a 200-seat London production of The Color Purple. At the time, it seemed like just another gig—but it turned out to be the catalyst for everything that followed.

“Had I not done that small play in London, I wouldn’t have done Broadway,” Erivo shared. “And if I hadn’t done Broadway, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

This role would eventually earn her a Tony Award, as well as a Grammy and an Emmy for her work on the Broadway adaptation, making her just one of a handful of artists to achieve this “Triple Crown” of awards.

Her journey from a small stage in London to the global spotlight serves as a powerful reminder: No opportunity is too small, and no dream is too big.

Balancing Acting and Music

Erivo’s talents go far beyond acting—she’s also a gifted musician and songwriter.

Her knack for connecting with audiences in so many ways really makes her stand out in an industry that often pushes people to stick to just one thing.

This blend of acting and music has given her performances an even deeper emotional pull, whether she’s on stage or on screen. It’s this ability to weave stories across different forms that has made her a true inspiration for creatives everywhere.

From Stage to Screen

After Cynthia’s standout role in The Color Purple, Hollywood had no choice but to take notice. Her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in the 2019 film Harriet was nothing short of inspired and even earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

And that’s not all—Erivo also cowrote and performed the song Stand Up for the movie, which scored her a second Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. 

She’s also shown her range in movies like Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale—not to mention voicing the Blue Fairy in Disney’s live-action Pinocchio.

Whatever the role, Erivo always brings something special to the screen.

Words of wisdom for aspiring artists

During her conversation with The Los Angeles Film School, Erivo took a moment to speak directly to aspiring filmmakers, musicians and storytellers.

Her advice was simple yet profound:

1. Start small: “Take all the small moments and understand they count.”
2. Dream big: “We’re all dreamers,” she said. “If you keep dreaming big and working toward those dreams, you’ll see them come true. Definitely. I’m definitely a testament to that.”

Her words hit home for anyone finding their way in the creative world. Whether you’re a student just starting out or a pro looking to switch things up, Erivo’s message is simple: Believe in yourself and keep pushing forward.

Watch the full interview at The L.A. Film School

So, what did we learn from our chat with Cynthia Erivo?

It was more than just an interview—it was a crash course in how to use your determination to succeed in the industry.

For more top tips from Cynthia and other artists, check out our video on our YouTube channel.

Stay Connected

For more behind-the-scenes glimpses, inspiring interviews and resources for aspiring filmmakers and musicians, follow us on social media.

And let Cynthia Erivo’s story remind you: Your stage may start small, but your dreams should always be big.

The post Wicked Star Cynthia Erivo Talks Career, Music and Dreaming Big appeared first on The Los Angeles Film School.

Dream of writing for television but feel lost on where to start? Have a stellar idea for a show but not sure of the first step? 

To help jumpstart ideas and action, this fall, we are hosting the Cool Girl’s Guide to the Television Business, a seminar led by industry experts guiding the next generation of creatives on how to navigate the steps from plan to production.

Adria Lang and Scarlett Amaris (the coolest girls in the industry) will be on-site to share professional advice, real-life experiences, and insider tips – the ultimate package for unlocking the secrets to success in the television business.

Lang is a powerhouse writer, co-executive producer, producer, and director. She’s best known for work on INVINCIBLE, You, The Devil in Silver, American Gods, Berlin Station, Fantasy Island, Helix and Sons of Anarchy among others. Most recently, Lang wrote and directed the upcoming There is No Antimemetics Division.

Amaris is a screenwriter and director, has written on numerous genre films including Color out of Space, starring Nicolas Cage, and was named a finalist for superior screenplay achievement in the Bram Stoker Awards. Her films have won awards at TIFF, Fantastic Fest, and the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. A few years ago, Amaris transitioned to television, where she has made her mark as a true influential force.

Participants will walk away with a clear understanding of the television process, from crafting compelling characters and stories to pitching their projects to executives and management. The small, focused seminar size allows for one-on-one feedback, helping participants refine their work with direct guidance from experienced professionals.

The Los Angeles Film School is committed to nurturing creative talent and providing the resources and mentorship needed to succeed in today’s competitive entertainment landscape. Cool Girl’s Guide to the Television Business reflects our dedication to fostering the next generation of storytellers. We are excited to see how this program will inspire and shape the future of television right here on our campus.

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This Military Vet Turned His Animation Degree into Compositing for Major Studio Productions

Originally from El Salvador, Marlon Rivas immigrated to the US when he was a kid and grew up in Los Angeles. Rivas first became interested in the film industry during his military service deployment. In our latest interview with Rivas, he explains how they had a lot of downtime and would watch movies to pass the time between official military duties. Movies fascinated Rivas enough to make him want to pursue filmmaking after serving in the military. “Once I got out of the military, I realized that I had all of the backing and support I needed to go to college, and I started looking at The L.A. Film School,” said Rivas in his interview with Animation Program Director, Joffrey Black.

Marlon Rivas currently works as a generalist, which is a combination of disciplines in the visualization world. Rivas takes a shot from beginning to end and brings it to life through tracking, animating, lighting, and eventually compositing. This process of building a shot together is one of the core disciplines of post-visualization work. Rivas has earned countless credits on major productions for post visualization and compositing work. From Stranger Things Season 4 to the highly anticipated release of Avatar: The Way of Water, Marlon Rivas has made a name for himself in the animation industry. Watch our full interview with Marlon Rivas in our latest Barrier Breakers video series.

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Pete Chatmon is an award-winning director who has film credits on Insecure, Black-ish and Grey’s Anatomy. Hear his journey into becoming a successful filmmaker and author.

With a deft ability to balance both half-hour single-camera comedies and one-hour dramas, PeteChatmon has directed episodes of HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant, Insecure, Silicon Valley, and Love Life, Netflix’s You and Atypical, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Black-ish, A Million Little Things, Station 19, Mixed-ish and Single Parents, CBS’s All Rise and The Unicorn, Starz’ Blindspotting, FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, FreeForm’s Grown-ish, TBS’s The Last OG, OWN’s Greenleaf, and the Apple TV+ series Mythic Quest. He is in development on The Education of Matt Barnes with Showtime, for which he will direct the pilot and serve as executive producer and is currently the co-executive producer and producing director on Reasonable Doubt, the first project to be produced via Hulu’s Onyx Collective.

His debut feature as writer/director, “Premium”, starred Dorian Missick, Zoe Saldana, and Hill Harper and premiered on Showtime after a limited theatrical run. Chatmon also wrote, produced, and directed 761st, a documentary on the first black tank battalion in WWII, narrated by Andre Braugher. He received the Tribeca Film Institute “All Access” Program’s Creative Promise Narrative Award for the heist screenplay “$FREE.99.” Through TheDirector, his Digital Studio, he has directed, shot, and edited content for advertising agencies and Fortune 500 brands. Chatmon’s career began in 2001 with the Sundance selection of his NYU thesis film, “3D”, starring Kerry Washington. His most recent short film, “BlackCard”, premiered on HBO, and his narrative podcast, “Wednesday Morning” engaged voters around the 2020 election. Chatmon is developing several episodic concepts and feature films while booking episodes for the upcoming cable, broadcast, and streaming seasons. His podcast, “Let’s Shoot! with Pete Chatmon” is available on YouTube, iTunes, and all podcast platforms.

Want to read Pete Chatmon’s book?

Find Pete Chatmon’s debut book “Transitions: A Director’s Journey and Motivational Handbook” at most major retailers. Michael Wiese Productions released his handbook and is a popular publisher of the world’s best-selling books for independent filmmakers.

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GRAMMY-Nominated Music Producer Shares How to Win Big in the Music Industry

When you compete with yourself, you can only get better.

Clinton Sparks

Clinton Sparks joined The L.A. Film School for a conversation about how to break into the music industry and win big. Sparks knows a thing or two about working in music. He’s written and produced songs for top music artists such as Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Rick Ross and many more. Over the span of his producing and songwriter career, Sparks helped sell more than 75 million records. Not only has Clinton Sparks made a name for himself in the music industry but he also developed an esports gaming brand as an entrepreneurial endeavor. All of his combined experiences lead him to write a book called How to WIN BIG in the Music Business.

Watch the highlights from our conversation with Clinton Sparks on YouTube.

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In conversation with the Los Angeles Film School for Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s an honor to bring you Film Production alumna, Evelyn Brito.

Follow Along Evelyn Brito’s Journey as a Creative Film Producer

As a busy mom of a young daughter and son, Evelyn Brito helps underserved urban communities get access to healthy foods. How does she do it? Brito is the writer and executive producer of Bodega Makeover, a TV series project that helps urban bodegas in Hispanic communities incorporate more healthy foods like fruits and vegetables in prime locations throughout the store. Ever since Brito learned about the food deserts in the communities she grew up around, it’s been her mission to advocate for healthier food options. Bodega Makeover is a passion project that incorporates Brito’s love of filmmaking and producing as well as her drive for community service and family connection.

As a first-generation Dominican American, Brito feels a strong connection to her Latin community and continues to give back through her creative talents and heart. Throughout her career, Brito has also managed Color Magazine’s Women of Color Leadership and Empowerment Conference, Men of Color Leadership Conference, and the All-Inclusive Awards. Forbes recently listed Evelyn Brito as one of the Top 50 Latina innovators.

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Jeff Barnes, President of Record Plant Studios, Speaks to Students

Our 2008 Recording Arts alum Jeff Barnes is the president of Record Plant, a go-to recording studio for top recording artists in Los Angeles. Founded in 1968, Record Plant is best known for being the studio that has created more hits and Grammy-nominated projects than any other studio. Several LARS alumni have gone on to work on multi-Grammy winning and Grammy-nominated projects that were recorded at Record Plant. From Stevie Wonder to Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, J. Cole, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Zayn, Justin Bieber, Nikki Minaj the artist roster goes on.

Watch our interview with Jeff Barnes and see how he first landed a runner job at Record Plant and built his career over the years to become president of the studio. Record Plant has employed some of our alumni including Spotlight Academy members Henrique Andrade and Daniel Zaidenstadt.

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The Los Angeles Film School Spotlight Award at the Hollywood sign

Top Highlights from FAME Week at L.A. Film School

The 3rd Annual FAME Week celebration and Spotlight Awards were a huge success! The annual event showcased some of the biggest names in the entertainment and tech space. Google, Facebook, Roland, and many other companies joined The L.A. Film School during FAME Week to host live gear demos, virtual panels and giveaways. One of the most popular events of FAME Week every year is the gear expo. Students got a chance to win big prize giveaways from some of our event partners including a one-year subscription to the winner’s software package of choice from AVID, a Q50R2 light from Quasar, and a Sony FX3 professional camera kit. Students and alumni also got the chance to win one-of-a-kind Spotlight Awards merch from our student store. Thank you to all the community partners who participated as well as the students and alumni! Here are the top moments of FAME Week 2021 and our Spotlight Awards Ceremony.

PAINT JAM

The virtual Paint Jam battle featured original art submitted by students from The L.A. Film School. Bobby E. won the 2021 Paint Jam for his illustration work “Old Traveler” using Procreate software. All the contestants who submitted original artwork did an amazing job showing their work during our virtual Paint Jam event. Check out all the art showcased at the event on our YouTube channel.

LARS LIVE: FAME WEEK EDITION

This monthly event series is hosted by our Entertainment Business program. LARS Live: FAME Week Edition showcased student artists and creators from all programs. The event streamed live on our L.A. Film School Facebook giving our students the chance to show their music, poetry and art to the online world.

BREAKING DOWN A COMEDY SCRIPT

L.A. Film School instructor Michael McCafferty chatted with comedy writer/director Matt Mazany about comedy scripts for previous sketches. For the live YouTube event, these two film aficionados discussed 5 comedy scripts and the process of shooting the scenes.

Matt Mazany guided us through his time at Funny or Die working on a program called Test Tube, where he worked with a team to shoot a handful of episodes with DJ Faucet. Mazany ran down one of the spoof videos called “Netflix” which is a seduction sketch between two actors in an apartment. The idea for this sketch came from the popularity of Netflix in the mid-2010s.

Mazany explained how he creatively worked on videos with narrators and actors who performed these comedy sketches to create comedy gold. The main writing tip Mazany shared was that if you are going to do a parody, try to be as spot-on as you can. As a comedy writer, Mazany is a big believer in what he calls “direct parody” meaning you create a shot-for-shot remake of something that already exists (i.e. a ridiculous commercial). Watch the full video with Matt Mazany on YouTube.

VIRTUAL GEAR DAY

The 3rd annual Gear Day is always one of our most popular FAME Week events. It’s a special gear expo that gives students an inside look at prominent companies like Sony and AVID’s latest tech and software. The Gear Day included demos from Roland, Sony, Quasar Science and many more!

Virtual Gear Day kicked off with our amazing community partner, Roland Corp! Roland is a top-tier software and instrument manufacturer for music lovers and professional artists who want to make their music sound distinct. Our friend Jim Stout from Roland took us through the product selection that Roland Cloud has to offer for recording engineers. Jim Stout shared a tone of new synthesizers and instruments during the virtual chat. If you are interested in learning about terms specific to the synth world, look no further than The A-to-Z of Synthesizer Terms from Roland.

Watch the full lineup of companies that presented during Gear Day on YouTube.

RECORD PLANT SESSION WITH JEFF BARNES

Jeff Barnes, Record Plant President and 2008 Recording Arts alum (pictured left).

Jeff Barnes is an alum of our Recording School and has flourished in the music industry throughout his career. Before he graduated from the Recording Arts program in 2008, Barnes sent his résumé out to companies in Hollywood and landed a job as a runner at Record Plant. Barnes credits his success with having both live sound and in-studio experience. These elements of sound experience have helped Barnes immensely in his career.

Now, Jeff Barnes is the president of Record Plant, a go-to recording studio for top recording artists. Founded in 1968, Record Plant is best known for being the studio that has created more hits and Grammy-nominated projects than any other studio. Several LARS alumni have gone on to work on multi-Grammy winning and Grammy-nominated projects that were recorded at Record Plant. From Stevie Wonder to Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, J. Cole, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Zayn, Justin Bieber, Nikki Minaj the artist roster goes on. Watch the full chat with Jeff Barnes and Joe Byron on YouTube.

3RD ANNUAL SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The main event, our Spotlight Awards Ceremony, honored six talented alumni who were inducted into the Spotlight Academy Class of 2021. On Thursday, September 2, Angelina Faulkner, Alex M. Ferrufino, Ari Levine, Corey Drake, Daniel Zaidenstadt, and Kevin Atkinson officially became members of the 2021 Spotlight Academy. Watch the entire show hosted by Tammy Elliott, President of The L.A. Film School, and Joe Byron, Alumni Relations Director.

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Women In Digital Media Talk to Students

The Barrier Breakers event series highlights writers, filmmakers, executives, music industry professionals and entertainment icons who not only excel in their industry but continue to pave the way for others by fighting for diversity, inclusion and representation. The L.A. Film School hosted a special Barrier Breakers virtual event focused on women in digital media.

About the Digital Media Space

The digital media space is a multi-billion-dollar industry and growing faster than ever. With the rise of diverse female-driven content, these stories have directly contributed to the presence and overall growth of the digital media landscape. In this panel discussion, we’ve invited women from FBE/REACT, Buzzfeed, Mitú and All Def Digital to talk about how they are shaping female voices and influencing female-driven narratives in digital media.

Whether it’s watching a funny video of Mexican Abuela’s trying each other’s Tamales on BuzzFeed’s Pero Like, or laughing at heated debates about the best 90s R&B Group on All Def Digital to analyzing what the most iconic Disney songs are on FBE – this content is driven and influenced by women. They are on the creative teams that produce videos and engaging content that have amassed millions of views worldwide.

Meet the Women in Digital Media Panelists

Alexis Tirado, Head of Buzzfeed Multicultural & Pero Like

Alexis Tirado is an award-winning multi-platform journalist and producer. She currently works for BuzzFeed, the leading independent digital media company with hundreds of millions of consumers around the world. She currently leads multicultural branded at BuzzFeed. From 2017 to 2020 she led Pero Like, the Latinx brand of BuzzFeed that’s focused on woke, humorous and culturally relevant video and social media for Latinx across the country. Prior to BuzzFeed, Alexis was the managing editor of Upworthy, the media brand responsible for making meaningful stories go viral. She was also the Editorial Director of Flama, Univison’s first English-language digital destination designed exclusively for U.S.-born Hispanic Millennials. Alexis was selected out of over 8,500 candidates to become Alicia Keys’ head blogger. She has also worked as a writer and editor for MTV, Martha Stewart, Latina and Time Out New York.

Megan Thomas, Producer, All Def Digital

Megan Thomas is an actress, producer and on-air personality best recognized for the insanely popular YouTube entertainment news channel All Def Digital. Since its inception, Megan has helped propel the multi-platform media company into new heights as it continues to gain strength and popularity through the cultural power of hip-hop, comedy, and social justice. With shows like The Drop, Great Taste, and SquADD Cast, Megan continues to represent as one of the primary female voices and producers for the channel that amassed millions of followers as well as partnerships with brands like HBO, MTV, and Spotify. Also a new mom, Megan is the co-creator and co-host of the podcast, Mommy Needs a Break.

Nneka Enurah, Head of FBE/React

Nneka Enurah is a dynamic leader and creatively collaborative development executive. She is the Head of Development & Partnerships for FBE. In this role, she leads branded and premium content development & packaging for TV and platforms. Prior to joining FBE, Nneka was Director of Digital Development & Production at Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine where she oversaw the development and production of social video and branded content for partners including Lexus, PepsiCo, P&G, and KitchenAid. She previously established Authentic Entertainment’s partnership division and served as VP of Multiplatform & Partnerships. During her tenure at the Emmy® award-winning production company, she shepherded new series for linear and brand partners. In 2018, she was honored by Cynopsis Media as a Top Woman in Digital. In 2017, she was honored as a member of the Digital It List, which recognizes the most innovative executives in digital media. Earlier in her career, Nneka produced digital and television content for leading global media company PopSugar, where she helped lead women’s lifestyle and entertainment programming. Nneka has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Arts & Entertainment from Elon University and is originally from Atlanta, GA. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.

LAFS Moderator: Film Instructor Marlee Roberts

Marlee Robers is half of the Roberts Sisters screenwriting & directing duo. Their feature film, Little Miss Perfect, garnered awards including “Best Screenplay”, “Best Actress” and the “Grand Jury Prize” at festivals nationwide and was released domestically and internationally following its festival run. Marlee Roberts is a Sundance Episodic Lab and Humanitas Prize finalist. She is currently a participant in Women in Film’s Mentorship program and part of The L.A. Film School’s directing faculty. www.cinemanas.com

Learn more about the Media Communications degree program at The L.A. Film School.

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Jacques Thelemaque is an American screenwriter and director most known for his work as the founder of the Los Angeles Filmmakers Alliance. He previously served on the board of directors for The Los Angeles Independent Film Festival (now Film Independent’s Los Angeles Film Festival). Jacques currently sits on the advisory board of the IFP Emerging Filmmaker Labs as well as the boards of the Downtown Film Festival and the Ashland Independent Film Festival. We are pleased to have Jacques Thelemaque as a virtual guest speaker for the Entertainment Business program. Enjoy this chat about all things filmmaking in Hollywood.

Get to Know Filmmaker Jacques Thelemaque

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