It’s not every day you see an innocent young girl being beaten with a baseball bat on the streets in the middle of the afternoon, at least without law enforcement soon at the scene of the crime. However, reality isn’t always what it seems as someone loudly yells “cut” and the girl is given a hand by her supposed assailants.
While a little violent, this scene from the short film “Good Day L.A.,” directed by Petros Fitsialos, and the work of shooting a film in general, was once simply a dream for aspiring film producer Rafael Romis until he started classes at the UCLA Extension School.
Romis, a native of Greece who recently relocated to Los Angeles to learn about filmmaking, opted for the alternative program at UCLA Extension rather than applying to world-renowned film programs such as UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television because he didn’t want to make such a big commitment so early in his career.
“I didn’t want to do a master’s degree,” said Romis, who is working toward the general studies certificate in the entertainment studies program and serves as a producer on “Good Day L.A..” “I wanted to do something smaller and see how things work and then decide if I wanted to stay here.”
Offering film classes through the school’s entertainment studies program, UCLA Extension courses cover a wide range of film-related fields and appeal to a broad group of students. Classes can be taken on an individual basis or toward one of the school’s many certificate programs, which include directing and producing, as well as other more unique areas of study such as film scoring and the business and management of entertainment.
“(It is) less time and more focus than a full-fledged graduate program,” said Pascale Halm, programming director of the entertainment studies program. “What we offer is a little more streamline of an approach.”
UCLA Extension not only offers a variety of concentrations, but also caters to a wide range of students. Courses are often offered on nights and weekends so that even older students holding down full-time jobs or working in Hollywood can also take part. Classes are also geared toward all levels of skill in the subject, from current industry insiders to film novices.
“I get all different levels of students,” said Richard Friedman, an instructor for directing classes and 25-plus year member of the Hollywood community. “You have to teach to different levels because you want to teach to everyone.”
Because anyone can enroll, UCLA Extension has developed a strong emphasis on industry connections within the film classes. Many extension students (an estimated 60 percent according to Halm) already have industry experience and enroll in classes to refresh themselves. These classmates then become a valuable network for aspiring filmmakers.
Romis produced “Good Day L.A.” alongside a number of other extension students he met in various extension classes.
“You get to meet many people that will definitely help a lot in the future,” Romis said.
In addition to their classmates, extension students gain important future connections through their instructors, all of whom have and hold long careers in Hollywood; networking is an important and beneficial part of the school’s learning process.
“It’s a whole different idea because the extension classes are run by professionals. Rather than getting a book and learning the theory of stuff, they go right into the practical stuff which is more interesting for everyone,” Romis said. “I keep in touch with all my instructors to ask them any questions I have.”
Many times instructors like Friedman bring in guest speakers to help students build a wide range of contacts.
“Each quarter, I’ve brought on producers, stunt men, assistant directors, composers,” Friedman explained. “The students have access to pretty much anyone I bring in … (they) really benefit from it.”
UCLA Extension also offers online classes in order to reach students regardless of their location. But while they limit networking opportunities, online classes still offer valuable tools to students both in Los Angeles and around the world.
“(The class was set up) like a game; some students would be producers, directors or agents. I happened to be a producer … I kind of practiced the producer’s role online and it was very entertaining and helpful,” Romis said, who took a “Business of Hollywood” class online last year. “I think that was the way I learned I wanted to be a producer after all.”
While some aspiring filmmakers may opt for a full-fledged, full-time college or graduate school education, UCLA Extension’s emphasis on real world application creates an accessible and beneficial alternative for people passionate about filmmaking.
“All of our instructors are working professionals … that’s what gives our students such grounding in the industry,” Halm added. “The greatest strength is the networking possibilities.”
“They have opened my eyes,” Romis said.