We’re always excited to celebrate our students and alumni who are making their mark in the entertainment industry.

This year, a handful of both our talented graduates and students completed the Academy Gold Rising internship program, a prestigious initiative by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

But Academy Gold Rising is more than just an internship. It’s an eight-week journey filled with learning, networking and mentorship. It builds on all the opportunities that the students are offered at The Los Angeles Film School, giving participants another great way to break into the industry.

Through this program, our selected students and alumni gained amazing opportunities for growth, mentorship and building industry connections—showcasing the dedication and creativity they bring to their work.

Their journey in this program reflects the strong foundation they built at The L.A. Film School and we couldn’t be more proud to celebrate their success.

Ariel Harris: From Navy Vet to Award-Winning Filmmaker

Ariel Harris truly stole the show at the Academy Gold Rising graduation, an event that celebrates some of the most promising new talents in film. 

For Ariel, graduation night was particularly sweet. She had applied to the program the previous year but didn’t get in. Instead of giving up, Ariel took on feedback, leaned on the support from her L.A. Film School advisor and gave it another shot. This time, she not only got in but shone bright, proving that persistence really does pay off.

Ariel’s journey to becoming a filmmaker is as unique as it is inspiring. Before she found her way into the world of film, she served in the U.S. Navy, where she developed not just a strong sense of discipline but a deep love for storytelling. Originally from North Carolina, her passion for movies eventually led her to The L.A. Film School, where she quickly made her mark as a standout student, even earning the title of “Student of the Month” in July 2024.

During her time in the Academy Gold Rising program, Ariel took on the role of assistant director for the short film Flutter. The set they created on The L.A. Film School’s Kurosawa stage was nothing short of amazing, and the film, edited by fellow L.A. Film School alum Nasim Kiani, is a great showcase of the talent emerging from our school.

But Ariel’s achievements don’t stop there. She’s already secured a job at Panavision, a top company in the film industry, where she’ll continue to hone her craft. And if that’s not impressive enough, her pilot, Pledge: Change is Good, recently won the Jury Award at the Essence Festival in New Orleans. 

What Makes Academy Gold Rising so Special?

Academy Gold Rising is an eight-week program designed to give college seniors, recent graduates and young professionals unique access to the film industry and Academy members, combining education and networking opportunities.

Since its inception, the Academy Gold Rising program has partnered with schools like The L.A. Film School to provide students with unique opportunities. Over the years, more than 40 L.A. Film School students and alumni have taken part in this program, gaining invaluable experience and making connections that have propelled their careers forward.

This year, alongside Ariel, several other L.A. Film School students and alumni joined the ranks of Academy Gold Rising participants:

• Edo Natasha (Film Production June 2025) – Editing Concentration
• Ariel Harris (Film Production Sept 2024) – Cinematography Concentration
• Nasim Kiani (Film Production March 2023) – Editing Concentration
• Marci Facundo-Moya (Film Production Oct 2024) – Cinematography Concentration
• Metzli Duran (Film Production June 2024) – Production Design Concentration
• Shaunette Fenton (Film Production and EB Dec 2021) – Cinematography Concentration
• Dane Andersen (Animation Feb 2023) – VFX Concentration
• Anthony Williams (Film Production March 2025) – Cinematography Concentration
• Kevin Paul Casteneto (Animation Dec 2023) – VFX Concentration
• Oliver Boon (Audio Production Nov 2024) – Sound Design Concentration
• Elmer Beriguete (Audio Production Nov 2023) – Sound Design Concentration

This pool of talented individuals brings a unique skill set to the table and their participation in the Academy Gold Rising program is a testament to the school’s strong commitment to nurturing diverse, creative talent.

What’s Next for Ariel Harris and The L.A. Film School Team?

Ariel’s journey from a U.S. Navy veteran to an award-winning filmmaker is just the beginning.

With her new role at Panavision and her continued success in the film industry, there’s no telling what heights she’ll reach next. And she’s not alone. The other L.A. Film School students and alumni who have participated in the Academy Gold Rising program are also set on their paths to success in Hollywood.

As we continue to celebrate the achievements of our students and alumni, we’re reminded of the incredible potential that lies within each of them. The Academy Gold Rising program is just one of many opportunities available to our students, helping them turn their passion for film into successful careers.

If you’re inspired by Ariel’s story and want to learn more about the Academy Gold Rising program or how The L.A. Film School can help you achieve your goals in the entertainment industry, get in touch to talk.

And don’t forget to watch the Academy Gold Rising graduation stream here.

At The L.A. Film School, we’re all about supporting our students every step of the way, from the classroom to the red carpet. So whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, we’re here to help you make it happen.

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Students from The L.A. Film School Compete at the 2023 American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) in Los Angeles

The American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) are the Super Bowl of the advertising field. Every year, it draws 35,000 entries to local competitions across the U.S. We are pleased to announce that five Graphic Design Online students placed in the Los Angeles American Advertising Awards competition for 2023. These students can move up to regional and national American Advertising Federation (AAF) competitions where they can compete against other professionals.

There were a total of nine student projects that placed in the Gold, Silver and Bronze categories this year. Check out the amazing graphic design work from each of our student candidates.

About the Addy Awards

The ADDY Awards are given out annually to recognize some of the best advertising and graphic design work created by college students. The awards are presented annually by the American Advertising Federation. The ADDY Awards is the world’s largest advertising competition, with more than 35,000 entries annually. Students must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited U.S. educational institution to be eligible for the award.

Gold ADDY Winners

Student: Neftalye Delgado

Category: Printed Annual Report or Brochure

Entry Title: Thrill’N Chik’N Brand Guidelines

Student: Artyana Hollis

Category: Packaging

Entry Title: Sly Fox Coffee

Silver ADDY Winners

Student: Artyana Hollis

Category: Editorial Spread or Feature

Entry Title: BP Magazine: Afropunk Feature

Student: Nicholas Siravo

Category: Animation or Special Effects

Entry Title: Harry Potter Motion Graphics

Student: Emily Pena

Category: Printed Annual Report or Brochure

Entry Title: Ma Jane’s Brand Guidelines

Student: Artyana Hollis

Category: Poster

Entry Title: You’ll Float Too: An IT Movie

Bronze ADDY Winners

Student: Armando Rodriguez

Category: Logo Design

Entry Title: Lectric eBikes Logo

Student: Emily Pena

Category: Integrated Brand Identity Campaign

Entry Title: Comic-Con Brand Identity

Student: Emily Pena

Category: App

Entry Title: Spontaneous Travel App

The post Five Graphic Design Students Win ADDYs at the 2023 LA Competition appeared first on The Los Angeles Film School.

The Academy Gold Rising is one of the most valuable internship experiences for students and recent grads in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Film School has been a higher-education partner with the Academy Gold Rising internship since the program started in 2017. Academy Gold Rising is an entertainment industry internship and mentorship program for students and young professionals from underrepresented communities. The partnership with Academy Gold Rising has led to more than 40 students and graduates participating in the summer internship program over the past 6 years. 

Kevin Bannerman from the Career Development department works closely with students and graduates to help prepare them for their internships with Academy Gold Rising.  He has seen students thrive during their time with the Academy Gold internship and learn invaluable industry experience.

“The program is designed to help students who might not have the kind of connections it takes to meet “A” level Hollywood talent, and it exposes them to all sorts of “real world” working and networking scenarios,” said Kevin Bannerman, New Media Arts manager.

“The Academy Gold Rising program is also very focused on diversity and inclusion and with our very diverse student body, this has been a huge thing for us,” added Bannerman.

The Academy Gold Rising Brings Diversity to the Forefront

In 2022, The Academy Gold Rising selected students from 48 colleges and universities and comprises 82% underrepresented racial/ethnic communities, 59% women, 32% LGBTQ+ and 18% with disability. This internship creates a rare opportunity for our students to meet, network and learn from talent at the highest level while they are still students or recent graduates. These Academy Gold Rising graduates develop an invaluable network, all eager to prove themselves and make it in this industry. Each graduate gets a mentor when they graduate. The mentors can provide guidance, insight and oftentimes employment opportunities that would typically be out of their reach or take years to develop. Our students and recent graduates also get the support of the Academy’s educational branch team during their time with the program. 

“Just to see our students graduate from this program is a thrill; one really sees their accomplishments develop after that.”

Kevin Bannerman

One recent example of success was with Film graduate and military veteran Marcus Farrell. Marcus applied in 2020, but did not get accepted into the program. He applied again in 2021 and did get accepted; Marcus went through the Academy Gold Rising program, was part of the Disney Diversity program and has now been working on Marvel’s SHE-HULK as a VFX Production Assistant, for which he will receive his first onscreen credit.

The Academy Gold Rising 2022 Intern Class

Learn more about The Academy Gold Rising program.

The post The Academy Gold Rising Internship Program With L.A. Film School appeared first on The Los Angeles Film School.

Clubs for Online and Campus Students to Join Today!

Having a life outside the classroom is just as important as earning your degree in school. Extracurricular activities help students connect with their peers and socialize in a non-academic setting and are a great way to build your film school network. We want to give students a well-rounded experience in and outside the classroom, which is why we have over 10 student clubs to join! If you are new to The L.A. Film School or interested in learning more about student life here, we’ve rounded up the clubs available for online and campus students.

The L.A. Film School Student Clubs

Our mission is to encourage community collaboration, camaraderie, and connection beyond specific classes and programs, for both on campus and online students. The L.A. Film School clubs are driven by students and guided by staff, and are open for membership to students from all degree programs.​​​​​​​ Head to Student Connect to find out how to join a club or even start your own.

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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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Celebrating Our U.S. Military Veteran Community

For the past 12 years, The Los Angeles Film School has paid tribute to our military students and alumni during the Annual Salute. This special tradition brings together the brave service members who have sacrificed so much for the safety and well-being of their fellow Americans.

Heather Hope from KFMB-TV in San Diego graciously hosted this year’s Annual Salute. The highlights of the evening included special performances by motivational speaker Clay King, the James Monroe High School Color Guard team, and musical performances by our veteran alumni. None of this would have been possible without our veteran community’s amazing work and dedication at The L.A. Film School. As president Tammy Elliott beautifully said, “I am reminded every day of the power that is held within the collective…there is something special about a group of humans aligned with the same mission, working together and walking side by side, and I see that something special in you.”

The Annual Salute focused on messages of unity and connection. As we’ve spent the past months working and studying in separate spaces during the pandemic, this event served as a special reminder that we are not alone. Technology enables us to come together and celebrate special occasions such as our Annual Salute. Thank you to everyone who made this virtual event possible including our wonderful participants and guest performers.

Resources for Veterans

The Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN)

The first-ever community-driven support network serving veterans and their families in the U.S., The Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) connects County departments, non-profits, the VA and L.A. City Programs.

Veteran Centers Through the VA.

Vet Centers are all across Southern California. Each Vet Center offers readjustment counseling to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referrals and connections to other VA or community benefits and services.

American Legion, Post 43. Located less than 2 miles from The Los Angeles Film School, its members have included Hollywood luminaries like Clark Gable, Charlton Heston, Mickey Rooney, Gene Autry, Ronald Reagan, Stan Lee and more.

Veterans in Media & Entertainment.

VME unites current and former members of the military working in film, television, media, gaming, music, and more. Joining VME can give you access to classes, events, roundtables, and a veteran community in entertainment.

Vet TIX

Vet Tix understands that our military shoulders unique burdens of stress and sacrifice. 16.6 million Veterans have served during wartime. 3.6 Million Veterans have service-related disabilities. Vet Tix secures tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, educational and family activities across the nation.

The post 12th Annual Salute Honoring Veterans in Entertainment appeared first on The Los Angeles Film School.

Students and Alumni from The L.A. Film School Selected for The Academy Gold Rising Internship

We are proud to announce that 14 students and graduates have been selected to participate in the 2021 Academy Gold Rising program (formerly known as the Academy Gold). This is the largest class yet from The L.A. Film School, and the fifth year in a row LAFS has participated in the Academy Gold Rising program. The summer program will be virtual for the second year in a row, enabling interns to participate from anywhere in the world, according to the Gold Rising Program. On behalf of the school, we wish our students and graduates the very best as they embark on another step toward a future in the entertainment industry.

Class of 2021 Academy Gold

• Ashlynn Fern (Sound)
• Israel Hernandez (Sound)
• Brian Saver (Sound)
• Albert Ortega (Sound)
• Samuel Selman (film)
• Janelle Bealer (Editing)
• Adrianna Carrasco (Editing)
• Alexis Taylor Brown (Editing)
• Anthony White (Editing)
• Alyssa Garcia (Production Design)
• Carmina Veras (Production Design)
• Hayden Ko (Cinematography)
• Marcus Farrell (Cinematography)
• Alyssa Ward-Vela (Cinematography)

What is the Academy Gold Internship Program?

The Academy Gold Program was created in 2017 to provide “multi-tiered educational and experiential” internships for some of the top film students in the world. Fourteen types of internships are offered as part of the experience, with options for marketing, film, TV, audio production, and casting (to name a few). The competition is fierce, and thousands apply, with just around 100 graduate and undergraduate students placed in final internships.

During one of the greatest summers of their lives, interns have “access to Academy members, industry professionals, screenings, and educational workshops” as well as a chance to get real work experience within 26 different companies who partner with Academy Gold.

The Academy Gold Program is determined to provide educational opportunities for all types of students. “We know there are a lot of diversity and inclusion programs out there,” says Bettina Fisher, the academy’s director of educational initiatives, “but we wanted to have a program that was going to move the needle.”

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A Unique College Experience Here in Los Angeles

Hollywood has hundreds of events for film industry fans to attend on any given day. Whether it’s a movie premiere at the ArcLight Cinerama Dome or a drive-in movie experience, Hollywood offers some of the best events in entertainment. A popular film event here in Hollywood happens at the historic Hollywood Forever Cemetery during the summer.

Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery is full of history and uses its massive lawn for some of the city’s most anticipated events and celebrations. Angelenos know that summer has officially kicked off once Cinespia starts on the cemetery grounds. It’s one of the most popular summer activities in the city for movie-goers, and for good reason. Imagine watching a movie, outdoors, under the stars, with your friends and a picnic you brought from home. There’s a DJ who kicks off the evening with a dance party before the movie begins. There’s an elaborately themed photobooth, free of charge. You eat and connect with friends, then relax on your pillows and blankets and watch a movie under the stars. And one night a year, Cinespia and the Hollywood Cemetery host an all-night movie marathon showing three themed films throughout the evening. Truly, a really, really good time.

Cinespia also hosts outdoor concerts in the cemetery—everyone from Tame Impala to Garbage has played. There’s no assigned seating, no seats at all! Again, patrons bring their blankets and pillows and picnic and sit back and watch the show. It’s a unique and relaxed way to enjoy a concert—and economical, too!

Other Events at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

The cemetery also has the historical indoor venue, The Masonic Lodge. Concerts shift to this indoor venue during the winter months, or for smaller shows. The intimate feel of this venue just adds to all the cemetery has to offer. And once the summer season has wrapped up, it’s time for the Dia De Los Muertos celebration, a day of honoring passed ancestors and lifting the veil between our two realms. What better place to celebrate our deceased loved ones than in one of Los Angeles’ oldest cemeteries? The day is full of music and dancing and food and of course—costumes. This Day of the Dead celebration is just another unique experience that Los Angeles offers.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Steps from Campus

Of course, there’s also the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Located steps away from The L.A. Film School campus, this attraction is one of Los Angeles’ most recognizable and popular icons. Locals and tourists alike walk the streets of Hollywood in search of celebrity stars. With stars from motion picture, television, recording and radio and up to two dozen names added annually, the vastness of stars in the Walk of Fame is remarkable- there’s now over 2,600 of them to peruse. The first star to be laid was that of Stanley Kramer on March 28, 1960. It’s fun to see the celebrity stars ranging from classic icons like Marilyn Monroe to Steve Irwin to Snoop Dogg. In 2019, The L.A. Film School was lucky enough to join Sir Lucian Grange’s star ceremony outside of the Capitol Records building.

Ready for the L.A. Student Life?

As a student, you have a chance to participate in the exciting events and ceremonies happening all around town. Take a virtual tour of campus and when you visit Los Angeles, stroll the streets in search of stars.

Check out our blog for more stories about life in the entertainment industry!

The post Things to do in Hollywood as a Student appeared first on The Los Angeles Film School.

2021 Addy Awards Competition in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Film School is pleased to announce that nine students from its Graphic Design Degree Program won American Advertising Awards at the 2021 Los Angeles competition. The graphic design students who placed at the gold and silver student competition levels will advance to the American Advertising Federation (AAF) District 15 Competition. This is the second year in a row that Graphic Design students from The L.A. Film School have competed and won ADDY Awards here in Los Angeles. L.A. Film School’s Graphic Design online program was recently named as one of the best programs for graphic design by Intelligent.com.

“We are very impressed with the quality of our student submissions, and we are excited to see their design work recognized by the American Advertising Federation,” said Lisa Gustafson, senior program director of Graphic Design Online.

The following students have been recognized for their excellent design work.

Award Winner: Gold
Student: Sunnie Whitaker
Category: Integrated Brand Identity Campaign 
Entry Title: Coco Reef (Collateral) 

Award Winner: Gold
Student: Christopher Wickwire
Category: Cover/Editorial Spread or Feature
Entry Title: VOID Magazine (Cover & Spread) 

Award Winner: Silver
Student: Angela Herman
Category: Packaging
Entry Title: Sly Fox Coffee (Packaging) 

Award Winner: Silver
Student: Daniel Powell
Category: App (Mobile or Web-Based) 
Entry Title: Cookery Smartphone App 

Award Winner: Silver
Student: Nadine Uscilowska
Category: Annual Report or Brochure
Entry Title: Fresh Fusion (Brand Guideline Manual) 

Award Winner: Silver
Student: Patience Walton
Category: Annual Report or Brochure
Entry Title: Annie & Irma’s (Brand Guidelines) 

Award Winner: Silver
Student: Sunnie Whitaker
Category: Illustration
Entry Title: Pabst Blue Ribbon in Your Future 

Award Winner: Bronze
Student: Shelley Kreidell 
Category: Logo Design
Entry Title: Ashton Logan (Logo) 

Award Winner: Bronze
Student: Kevin Maldonado
Category: Integrated Brand Identity Campaign 
Entry Title: Riverworks (Collateral) 

Award Winner: Bronze
Student: Kevin Maldonado
Category: Packaging
Entry Title: Sly Fox Coffee (Packaging) 

Award Winner: Bronze
Student: Sarah Moffat
Category: Logo Design
Entry Title: Constellation Cheesery (Logo)

About the Addy Awards

The ADDY Awards are given out annually to recognize some of the best advertising and graphic design work created by college students. The awards are presented annually by the American Advertising Federation. The ADDY Awards is the world’s largest advertising competition, with more than 35,000 entries annually. Students must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited U.S. educational institution to be eligible for the award.

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The L.A. Film School alumni are one of the greatest resources we have for current L.A. Film School students. For this session of Barrier Breakers, we interviewed alumna Paquita “PQ” Hughes. PQ is a military veteran, independent producer, and location manager in Los Angeles. We got to pick PQ’s brain about her childhood in Mississippi, being in the military, the ins and out of working film production, the movies that have inspired her, and so much more.

Editorial Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Interview with Paquita Hughes

LAFS: Paquita, we’re so excited that you were able to join us today! Thank you for making time to share your story. To kick things off, tell us a little about yourself and your background, and your experiences that brought you here today.

PQ:

It all started with Wizard of Oz, for real! The Wizard of Oz was the first movie that blew my mind, it was this fantastical world and I wanted to go there.

I grew up in Mississippi, but I was born in Puerto Rico and came to Mississippi by way of New Jersey. I had a very rough childhood, so escapism is what drew me into the filmmaking industry. I was a heavy reader, and I still am a heavy reader. Reading used to give us (me) an escape. As a kid, during those harsh Mississippi summers, when we would come inside my mom would give us two options, “Either take a nap or read a book”—I always read. It was my way of escaping.

As a child I had a very vivid imagination and watching movies just took it so much farther, because, in movies, you can do anything you can imagine. Another movie that drew me in was Star Wars. When I saw Ewoks I was like “Are you kidding me?! Can I have one?!” There was a VH1 special that went behind the scenes of Star Wars and when I saw the world, I was like “Oh my god, people do this for a living?!” I discovered that it was a legit job. I realized I could do this and not try to be a teacher or a doctor. I can make-believe for a living. But I grew up in a rural area, the only broadcasting we had was a news station. So I couldn’t see how it (the film industry) was possible. I knew I had to get to Hollywood. But how do I get to Hollywood from Mississippi?

When I was in high school I made a plan. I was super serious about school and I did everything—band, Beta Club, and I was an academic pro. I received a band scholarship to Mississippi State University and I signed up for the U.S. Army as soon as I turned 18. Then 9/11 happened and I wasn’t ready to go to war. I was young and I was just trying to get some money for college and going out on the weekends. Eventually, college didn’t work out. I did a Kayne West, I’m a College Dropout. Once I left home and got away I really wanted to find out who I was. I ended up joining the U.S. Navy, full-time active duty and I was stationed all over the world. I learned about so many different cultures and went to places I never thought I’d go. It was a great option with a good backup plan for work after the military. But I never thought I’d be an air traffic controller. It’s a high-stress job, one of the most stressful jobs in the world with a suicide rate higher than neurosurgeons. Being an Air traffic controller I was able to show my abilities. I proved to myself that I could do that and once I accomplished it I knew I could take on my other dream of filmmaking. It wasn’t easy getting there.

LAFS: How did your former military experience and being a former foster youth help you navigate life challenges and help you find your passion and what you wanted to do for a living? And at what point in your life did you decide that filmmaking was your passion?

PQ: It was always there. But when I had the epiphany to just go for it, that’s when I wanted to prove that I was capable of accomplishing it. Growing up I always had this feeling that I was going to go somewhere and be somebody. Like the song in Sister Act Two. I was paying attention and I knew I had to get out of there! I always had this sense of mission, like destiny to fulfill. 

The darkest moments of my life were when I was taken away from my family and going through the foster care system. I have 2 older siblings (brothers), and when I was 11 years old I was taken out of my mother’s custody. It was out of nowhere, it just happened. We were in the hospital for my brother, cops were called, my mom was fighting with the cops, and the next thing I know I’m in the back seat of a car with a caseworker on the way to a different city. My friends, my dog, The Flintstone Movie we just rented, my whole world shook. I was taken to a group home with these other kids. I went to school on the bus that everyone knew was for the group home. The kids at school called us orphans, they called us crack babies. Having to deal with that, even in those moments I knew that I wasn’t meant to be there. I knew I was meant to go further. As much as I don’t see representations of myself, I still believe I belong where I belong. 

Because of my creativity, my passions, what I’m good at, my skill sets. I’m a photographer, I’ve been drawn to the industry, performances, I did theater growing up. I like organizing, I like putting teams together. Even when I was in the children’s home, I tried to put together a girls group. I’ve always had that sense of organization. I want to build. With my production company, I want to build an empire to keep going and sharing and allow other people to do the same thing.

The moment I realized I had to go forward was while I was serving in the military. I had the epiphany to go to film school because I was unhappy in my job. I was waking up crying, crying on my way to work. And no matter how much you’re getting paid that’s not worth it. At the time I was living overseas I had done some incredible things. But when I got in trouble for getting one extra piercing in my ear it was done. After 10 years of my life, I said “I don’t think it’s gonna work out. Thanks for everything, I’ll take my GI benefits and I’m out this, I’m going to Hollywood.” Because if I can take on war and Osama, I can take Hollywood and some make-believe. And that was the first moment.

From the Military to The L.A. Film School

LAFS: So you went to Hollywood and you landed at The Los Angeles Film School. What was that like? What were some of your favorite moments being at the L.A. Film School?

PQ: Shouts to L.A. Film School for accepting the Yellow Ribbon GI Bill! And the veteran’s program because that was the only way I could afford it!

What I loved about the program was that on day one they set you up with the materials you need. At the previous film school I went to, they sort of pushed you off the deep end. Here are some cameras and lenses, and a filter—good luck, see you Monday. Then when Monday comes around and everyone’s crying as they get ripped apart by the director because they didn’t know what to do. When I got to LAFS, it was more organized, it felt like school, like college. And as a college dropout, this was my last yahoo. I loved that LAFS had the degree program, too. Students got a little piece of everything when it came to the production side of filmmaking. 

They put you through it at LAFS, and we learned old-school production designs. I found Women in Media at LAFS, I met and worked with great students and staff, I got involved with the school. I was in the honor society. My instructors were serious about their jobs, even though they were working professionals. And that was the best thing you were dealing with professionals who were working in Hollywood.

LAFS: What were some of the hurdles and challenges you navigated as you were going through film school?

PQ: The major thing was transitioning from military to civilian lifestyle. I got out and I came right to Los Angeles. I was also diagnosed with an “invisible wound” and it was a really interesting phase of my diagnosis. I was figuring out once again “who am I?”

Location Manager for Perry Mason and Little Fires Everywhere

LAFS: You worked on the Golden Globe-nominated show Perry Mason, and you’ve also worked with Shonda Rhimes. How did those projects come to be and how were they important to you?

PQ: It’s still almost surreal at times because you work so long because you have to get in a union. As soon as I got the opportunity to join the Teamster Union under 399 which is for transportation, drivers, location management, casting directors, and animal wranglers.

I was approached because of my veteran status and the opportunity sort of fell in my lap. I was on the AD (assistant director) track and I didn’t expect to ever go into location management or scouting. Just like air traffic control, it was never a part of the plan. But it happened and I enjoy it because it’s still a part of the world that I want to be a part of. Producing is my ultimate goal. I want to be Shonda Rimes level show running and creating. I want to be Jerry Bruckheimer level. I want to be Ryan Murphy level. I want to shoot for the moon with it. 

And with transitioning to location management it didn’t seem like it was going to take me away from my goal as a matter of fact it felt like it was going to help. It was an opportunity that I never saw coming and I never thought about. It’s a very underrated job and what it did was put me on sets for major projects. Working on HBO’s Perry Mason was really awesome. I was called in by a location buddy of mine. He was going to Brazil for vacation and he asked me to fill in. I’m what you call a key assistant location manager. My job is scouting negotiating and prepping add the location while the manager is managing. That job put me right into the middle of production. As an A.D. I was in the middle. But as a location manager, I’m in the background where I can see everything happening while also being a big part of the production.
Perry Mason was the biggest show I’ve ever worked on and it was also the first show I won an award for. From the location manager guild international for Best Locations in a Period Television Show. The LMGL is an organization for location managers across the globe. This was my first location award and I’m very proud of it. Then came the Golden Globe nomination for Season 2 after only two episodes came out! What I loved about Perry Mason is that it’s a period piece, but challenging because we had to recreate 1930s Los Angeles.

LAFS: What was your work process during those projects? What challenges did you face on the job?

PQ: I did Little Fires Everywhere then Perry Mason. Little Fires Everywhere is the Emmy-nominated show with Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon. This show was probably harder to balance because I was just figuring out how to be a single mom and do the whole co-parenting thing. Sometimes I would have to bring my daughter to set because I was working earlier than the daycare opened or I was working later than anyone could keep her. The scheduling on Little Fires Everywhere was more demanding because it was a small team. On a small show with a smaller team, you don’t have a coordinator’s help. You have to do your own paperwork and it takes more out of you.

Also, I bless my daycare provider. She’s helping me raise my child and allowing me to have this time to work. There were times I felt super guilty, location managers are the first one in and the last one out. Sometimes I have to be on site at 3 a.m. It’s a sacrifice but in the end it’s all going to be worth it because it’s not always going to be like this. I’m doing something that I never thought would actually happen. But it did. And now that I know it can happen I have to keep it going and be as good as I can be. I’m always trying to make myself better. Learning, growing and finding the silver lining from every experience on every job.

LAFS: Can you give some advice or encouraging words to the creatives out there who want to be filmmakers, producers and directors but are afraid of failing?

PQ: YOLO. I mean that you only live ONCE. And you have got to keep pushing and keep moving forward. You’re going to fall, you’re gonna have moments where you’ll stumble. Everything won’t be peaches and cream along the way but you have to look for the silver lining in every situation. At the end of the day, keep moving forward, keep taking steps forward, don’t stop no matter how long you think it’s going to take. 

Thank you, Paquita Hughes!

We want to thank Paquita for sharing her inspiring story. Thank you for showing our students where you came from and where you are now!

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