Cinema & TV Alumni
Celebrating Cinema & TV Excellence
Our Cinema & TV alumni are storytellers, innovators, and creative leaders whose work spans the full spectrum of filmmaking—from shaping unforgettable narratives on screen to bringing music, commercials, and television to life. Whether they’ve cut award-winning features, captured iconic images behind the camera, directed groundbreaking films, or produced visually defining moments in pop culture, their achievements reflect the talent and craft fostered at Los Angeles City College.
Below, explore how LACC grads are making their mark across roles—from directors and editors to producers and cinematographers—leaving a lasting impact on the art and industry of cinema.
From LACC to the Director’s Chair
Los Angeles City College has been a launchpad for visionary filmmakers whose work spans Hollywood blockbusters, groundbreaking independent films, and acclaimed television. Our alumni have gone on to direct some of the most memorable stories on screen—shaping genres, redefining visual style, and earning recognition at festivals and award shows worldwide.
From Sundance-winning indies to Emmy- and Spirit Award–nominated features, these directors embody the creativity, grit, and storytelling power that begins right here at LACC.
F. Gary Grey
F. Gary Gray studied cinema at Los Angeles City College before launching a career that quickly made him one of Hollywood’s most successful directors. He first gained recognition directing music videos for artists like Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Outkast, before making his feature debut with the cult classic Friday (1995). He followed with Set It Off and The Negotiator, earning awards at the Acapulco Film Festival and establishing himself as a leading voice in action and drama.
Gray’s career has spanned blockbuster hits including The Italian Job, Law Abiding Citizen, Straight Outta Compton, and The Fate of the Furious, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019, he continues to bring bold stories to global audiences, most recently with projects like Men in Black: International and Netflix’s Lift.
Karen Moncrief
Karen Moncrieff began writing her breakout film Blue Car while completing the film studies certificate program at Los Angeles City College, where she discovered her passion for directing. The film earned her the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting and premiered at Sundance before being acquired by Miramax.
Her follow-up, The Dead Girl, featured an all-star ensemble and earned three Independent Spirit Award nominations, including Best Director. A former actor with credits on Santa Barbara and Days of Our Lives, Karen has also directed for HBO’s Six Feet Under and Lifetime’s Petals on the Wind.
Mimi Leder
Mimi Leder studied film at Los Angeles City College before launching a groundbreaking directing career across both film and television. She directed blockbuster features The Peacemaker and Deep Impact, and earned an Emmy for her work on ER.
Her later projects include Pay It Forward, On the Basis of Sex, and Apple TV+’s The Morning Show, for which she received an Emmy nomination as Executive Producer. Leder continues to be a powerful force in storytelling, championing bold, emotional narratives across screens.
Tamra Davis
Tamra Davis got her start shooting Super 8 films at Los Angeles City College before launching a boundary-pushing career directing over 150 music videos for artists like N.W.A, Sonic Youth, and Cher. She made her feature debut with Guncrazy, earning Drew Barrymore a Golden Globe nomination, and went on to direct cult classics like Billy Madison, Half Baked, and CB4.
Her work spans comedy, documentaries (The Radiant Child), and hit TV shows like Dead to Me, The Politician, and Grey’s Anatomy. A true creative force, Davis continues to direct, produce, and champion bold, feminist storytelling across film, television, and even her own cooking show.
Albert Hughes
Albert Hughes, one half of the acclaimed Hughes Brothers directing duo, studied film at Los Angeles City College, where his technical training shaped their bold visual style. At just 20 years old, Albert co-directed Menace II Society, a Cannes-premiering breakout hit that became a critical and box office success. He and his brother Allen followed up with Dead Presidents and the documentary American Pimp, both of which showcased their signature blend of raw storytelling and social commentary.
Known for directing over 30 music videos for artists like Tupac and Tone Loc, Albert expanded into genre filmmaking with From Hell starring Johnny Depp, and later, The Book of Eli. When directing together, Albert is known for his technical mastery behind the camera, a skill honed during his time at LACC. His work continues to influence a generation of filmmakers who grew up on the brothers’ gritty, fearless narratives.
Maggie Greenwald
Maggie Greenwald is an award-winning writer-director whose early films, Home Remedy and The Kill-Off, established her as a bold voice in American independent cinema. She went on to direct the landmark revisionist Western The Ballad of Little Jo and the acclaimed musical drama Songcatcher, which won the Sundance Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Cast and multiple international honors.
Her later work includes Sophie and the Rising Sun as well as numerous acclaimed television projects, from the GLAAD Award-winning What Makes a Family to Disney’s Get a Clue and episodes of Pete & Pete and Madam Secretary. Greenwald continues to develop new projects while bringing powerful, character-driven stories to both film and television.
Tarsem Singh
Tarsem Singh is an internationally acclaimed director known for his visually striking style that blends art, music, and cinema. He first gained recognition with R.E.M.’s iconic Losing My Religion music video, which won six MTV Video Music Awards and a Grammy. After a career directing high-profile commercials for brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi’s “We Will Rock You” campaign, Tarsem made his feature debut with The Cell (2000), followed by The Fall, Immortals, and Mirror Mirror.
He has continued to move fluidly between film, television, and commercials, directing projects such as NBC’s Emerald City, Lady Gaga’s 911 video, and award-winning global ad campaigns. His most recent film, Dear Jassi (2023), premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the Platform Prize, reaffirming his reputation as a bold visual storyteller.
Alumni Who Define the Cut
Los Angeles City College has been home to editors who have gone on to shape award-winning films, television, and commercials. Our alumni have earned recognition across the industry, from Academy Award nominations to Emmy-winning campaigns, all while demonstrating the artistry and precision that define great storytelling.
Kevin Tent
Kevin Tent is an award-winning film editor whose career began at Los Angeles City College and has since become one of the most respected names in the craft. Best known for his longtime collaboration with Alexander Payne, Tent has edited every one of Payne’s films, including Election, Sideways, About Schmidt, Nebraska, and The Descendants. His work has earned multiple ACE Eddie Award nominations, an ACE Eddie win, and two Academy Award nominations for Best Editing.
Beyond the cutting room, Tent has also directed films including Crash Pad (2017), but his greatest impact has been as a leader in the field. He currently serves as President of the American Cinema Editors (ACE), where he continues to champion and advance the art of editing.
Dan Bootzin
Dan Bootzin discovered filmmaking at Los Angeles City College, where his short film Volts was selected for the “Best of LACC” showcase and his 16mm film Six Point Nine went on to win the Golden Bear for Best Short at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film also screened at Sundance, London, Paris, and other international festivals, establishing him as a rising voice in independent cinema.
As an editor, Bootzin built a distinguished career at Venice Beach Editorial, cutting national campaigns for brands like Apple, Nissan, Visa, and Sony PlayStation. He won an Emmy for Apple’s iconic Think Different campaign and continues to work in commercials, documentaries, and long-form projects through his company Los Feliz Films. In addition to editing, he has directed the independent feature Apartment 12, starring Mark Ruffalo, as well as award-winning short films and documentaries.
Alumni in Producing
LACC alumni have gone on to produce groundbreaking work across film, television, commercials, and music videos. From major studio projects to independent documentaries and iconic cultural moments, our producers have shaped the stories we watch — and the way they’re made. Their work reflects the leadership, creativity, and collaboration that begins right here at Los Angeles City College.
Sharon Oreck
Sharon Oreck launched her producing career after studying cinema at Los Angeles City College, moving from low-budget films into a groundbreaking run as one of the leading music video producers of the 1980s and 1990s. Through her company O Pictures, she worked with artists like Madonna, U2, Janet Jackson, Sting, and Michael Jackson, helping to define the visual style of MTV’s golden era. She was nominated for an Academy Award for the short Tales of Meeting and Parting and received multiple MTV Video Music Awards, along with two Women in Film Awards.
Beyond music videos, Oreck has produced commercials, documentaries, and feature projects, including 14 Women (2007). Her memoir, published in 2010, reflects on her pioneering career in an industry where she reshaped the role of the producer and gave voice to a new generation of visual storytelling.