Teachers & Staff
Meet the award-winning professionals and educators who make LA Film School a world-class institution — from Oscar winners to industry veterans.
Douglas Knapp
Faculty – Cinematography
Experienced cinematographer who has worked on major film and television projects. Brought practical lighting and camera expertise to LAFS students.
Acclaimed cinematographer with a career spanning decades in Hollywood.
Credits: Major film and television cinematography credits
Diana Derycz-Kessler
CEO / Co-Founder
Lawyer and entrepreneur who co-founded The Los Angeles Film School in 1999 with her husband Paul Kessler. Became CEO after buying out founding partners.
Built LAFS from a $2 million initial investment into one of Hollywood's prominent entertainment schools with 5,800+ students.
Credits: Founded and grew The Los Angeles Film School into a nationally recognized institution
Dede Allen
Founding Faculty – Editing
One of the most influential film editors in American cinema history and a founding faculty member at LAFS. Revolutionized the art of film editing.
ACE Career Achievement Award. Pioneered innovative editing techniques that influenced generations of filmmakers.
Credits: Bonnie and Clyde, Dog Day Afternoon, Reds, The Hustler, Serpico
Ron Judkins
Founding Faculty – Sound
Two-time Academy Award-winning sound engineer who was part of the founding faculty at The LA Film School teaching sound production.
Two Academy Awards for Best Sound. Longtime production sound mixer for Steven Spielberg films.
Credits: Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, War of the Worlds, A.I. Artificial Intelligence
William A. Fraker
Founding Faculty – Cinematography
Legendary cinematographer and founding faculty member. Nominated for multiple Academy Awards throughout his career.
Multiple Academy Award nominations. ASC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Pioneer in modern cinematography.
Credits: Rosemary's Baby, Bullitt, Paint Your Wagon, 1941, WarGames, Tombstone
Hal Lieberman
Faculty – Entertainment Business
Former president of production at Universal Pictures who transitioned to education, sharing executive-level industry insights with students.
Former President of Production at Universal Pictures. Oversaw development and production of major studio films.
Credits: Universal Pictures production slate, studio executive career
Jeff Kushner
Faculty – Sound
Film sound editor who brought hands-on sound design and editing expertise to the Recording Arts program.
Notable film sound editor with credits on major Hollywood productions.
Credits: Film sound editing for major studio productions
Donald Petrie
Founding Faculty – Directing
Film director who was part of the founding faculty at LAFS, teaching directing techniques to the inaugural classes.
Successful Hollywood director with major box office hits.
Credits: Grumpy Old Men, Miss Congeniality, My Favorite Martian, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Thom Mount
Co-Founder / Advisor
Former Universal Pictures President and two-term Producers Guild president who co-founded The LA Film School in 1999.
Youngest-ever President of Universal Pictures. Two-term President of the Producers Guild of America.
Credits: Bull Durham, Tequila Sunrise, Frantic, Natural Born Killers, Can't Buy Me Love
Ethan Banville
Instructor – Music Production
Music industry professional and instructor at The LA Film School, teaching music production and building careers in the music industry.
Active music industry professional balancing teaching with professional projects.
Credits: Music production instruction and industry mentorship
Jon Amiel
Founding Faculty – Directing
British film and television director who served as founding faculty teaching directing at The LA Film School.
Successful director in both British television and Hollywood features.
Credits: The Singing Detective, Sommersby, Entrapment, The Core
J. Todd Harris
Faculty – Producing
Film and Broadway producer who shares real-world producing experience with students at The LA Film School.
Successful film and Broadway producer with extensive industry credits.
Credits: Multiple film and Broadway productions
Danford B. Greene
Faculty – Editing
Acclaimed film editor who brought decades of Hollywood editing experience to the classroom at LAFS.
Emmy Award-winning editor. Credits include iconic television and film projects across multiple decades.
Credits: Extensive career in film and television editing
Janusz Kamiński
Founding Faculty – Cinematography
Two-time Academy Award-winning cinematographer and one of the founding faculty members of The Los Angeles Film School. Known as Steven Spielberg's longtime DP.
Two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography (Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan). One of the most celebrated cinematographers in film history.
Credits: Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, War Horse, Lincoln, The Post, West Side Story