LOS ANGELES - Veterans dreaming of movie screens and platinum albums need look no further than The Los Angeles Film School, which invited service members to their monthly Veteran Students’ Luncheon, and hosted a tour of the school in Hollywood, Jan. 18.
Guest speakers, instructors and school officials addressed potential students, before the participants explored the film campus and music campus, about the benefits of an education in film, video game production or music production.
“There’s an emergence of the military in Hollywood,” said Amber Chaib, the director of military affairs at the film school. “There is a need for knowledge of everything about the military.”
Chaib, a Navy veteran, established a military affairs department at the school to help veterans take advantage of their GI Bill and Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.
“I want to give veterans every advantage. They deserve it,” said Chaib. “I’ve seen the problems they encounter. We can speak knowledgeably to the VA and help the veterans.”
Veteran Students’ Luncheons also provide an opportunity for current students and prospective students to network with industry professionals.
“Networking is what you really have here that can give you that extra edge,” added Chaib.
Many of the prospective students came to the tour and luncheon already excited about a future in the entertainment industry, and were impressed by The Los Angeles Film School’s offerings.
“They’ve got good facilities,” said Lance Cpl. Joshua Misigaro, an avionics technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16. “It’s all hands-on. They have more practical courses and you have a job right away when you graduate.”
Misigaro and other tour participants saw computer animation students generate three-dimension models, watched students filming a cooking show and saw a music-mixing board in action.
The school offers Associate of Science degrees in film, game production, computer animation and recording, as well as a certificate in recording engineering.
Military applicants work with military admissions specialists and housing coordinators to ease the transition from active-duty life.
Prospective students can take tours daily, or reserve a spot at the monthly Veteran Students’ Luncheon.
For more information, visit http://lafilm.edu/military.