December 2024 was a breakthrough month for Los Angeles Film School alumni with contributions to several major Hollywood productions. Mikaela Padilla, Alyssa Ulrich and Josiah Zavala helped make Disney hit Mufasa: The Lion King on screen. Padilla, Brandon Trost and Chun-Ning Chang had significant credits on Sonic the Hedgehog 3while Daniel Egbert lent his writing talent to the CBS show NCIS: Origins. Additionally, 16 alumni collaborated on the award-winning short film Eniphereswinning 74 festival awards. Read on and learn how our alumni continue to shape the entertainment industry.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Mikaela Padilla (Audio Production 2022) has worked as a Foley mixer on a number of high-profile films, including Wicked, Mufasa and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Two other LA Film School alumni joined her in the production of Moufasa: Alyssa Ulrich (Entertainment Business 2019) was credited as Assistant Production Coordinator and Josiah Zavala (2013 film) was visual effects editor on the film.
Synopsis:
From Fandango
“Mufasa: The Lion King” has Rafiki passing on the legend of Mufasa to the young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signatures. Told in the form of flashbacks, the story presents Mufasa as a little orphan, lost and alone until he meets a friendly lion named Taka, the heir to a royal lineage. This chance encounter sets in motion the vast journey of an extraordinary group of misfits in search of their destiny. Their bonds will be tested as they work together to escape a threatening and deadly enemy.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Member of the Spotlight Academy Brandon Trost (Film 2000) presented his expertise as Director of Photography for the highly anticipated sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 3with Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves. His work helped bring Sonic’s visually stunning world to life. Trost was not the only one Graduated from the Los Angeles Film School involved in the film—Chun Ning Chang (Film 2013) contributed as Production assistantwhile Mikaela Padilla (Audio Production 2022) lent his talents as Foley Blenderensuring top-notch sound design.
Synopsis
From sonicthehedgehogmovie.com:
Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles and Tails come together against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with unprecedented powers. With their abilities surpassed in every way, Team Sonic must seek an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
NCIS: Origins
Daniel Egbert (2017 Film) works as a screenwriter for CBS Studios and was recently credited as a writer on 4 episodes of NCIS: Origins. Previously, he was a finalist in the 2024 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards and a semi-finalist in the 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship. He is the 2021 recipient of the Richard P. Rogers Spirit Of Excellence Award for Directing presented by AFI Fest, and the one of twelve directors selected for the seventh annual CAA Moebius Showcase. A veteran of the Marine Corps, he served four deployments, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Synopsis:
From CBS
NCIS: ORIGINS follows young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in 1991, years before the events of NCIS, and is narrated by Mark Harmon. In the series, Gibbs begins his career as a newly minted special agent at the brand new NCIS office at Camp Pendleton, where he finds his place on a motley and courageous team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid). .
Enipheres
A short film titled Enipheres featured 16 alumni through the production and post-production process. In total, they have won 74 awards and 15 nominations on the film festival circuit! Alumni credits include the following: The SFX team: Danny Urena, Johnathan Alcerro, Daniel Vanlandingham, Kevin Palencia, Ryan Livian, Michael Rendon; Illustrator (for comics): Arkiel Fornoles; Production assistant: Jasmine (aka Jay Levi) Castro; 1st announcement: Willie Bass-Griffin; BTS Photographer/Perchman: Hernán Ancerra; Handles: Vionna Lam, Jesse Mejia, André Monroe; Gaffer: Dustin Prewitt; 2nd CA: Omar Weatherburne; 1st CA: Teddy C. White; Composer: Josh Huck
Synopsis:
of the BDIM
After realizing she is the link to saving the people of Earth, a woman and her allies take on a corrupt organization to save the planet and humanity.
Learn more:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7513360
https://www.illuminationparadox.com/proof-of-concept-photos
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We love finding out what our alumni are working on in the entertainment industry. If you’re an LA Film School alum and have an upcoming project, tell us! Connect with us and send your project details!