Wow! i had a lot of trouble trying to find a place where my training would amount to the price of schooling. I asked around to a lot of students at LA film School, New York Film School as well as others. The feed back was they were not happy, either classes are too many students, no hands on training and the outcome, students really were not prepared for the industry. so i choose to go with Sharp Focus Media Academy, and i'm so glad i did. I was recommend through a friend that attended and i was amazed at their results of what they were able to accomplish. I mean, my friend had never touched a camera or editing software and came out ready to do commercials and independent films. Her network of talent had rapidly increased, she had a crew and a lot of equipment at her disposal. So i had to give it a shot. After attending, i can now write, produce, shoot and edit and i am so thankful that i gained these ability through the instructor Scott Crawley. I'm a slow learner and he never watched the clock and would make sure, i had a full understanding of anything i questioned. I honestly think and wish i could give him more money, because the knowledge and expertise i obtained will serve me great into my future in entertainment, and the great thing, is at a fraction of cost of these larger institutions. I definately recommend Sharp Focus Media Academy to anyone that want to learn the most, in the shortest amount of time, to be able to accomplish their Media goals immediately! 3 THUMBS UP!!! NOT TO MENTION THE ACADEMEY HAS ALL NEW UP TO DATE EQUIPTMENT AND WILL HELP YOU ON ANY PROJECT, SO YOU CAN MAKE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE TRAINING, ACTUALLY WHILE YOU TRAIN. read more

After being in this industry for over a dozen years so far, working at many of the top tier trailer houses in town, I can tell you from experience that the one thing that makes all the difference is the people you work with and the ability you have to trust them to get the job done. SCOTT GETS THE JOB DONE. Having worked many a shift into the wee hours of the morning side by side with him, Scott has dealt with everything from trailers for major studio blockbusters, to TV shows on every major streamer, and even smaller productions with companies you might not have heard of yet. All of these have their own unique problems that arise during the editorial and, if you're lucky enough, finishing process. From the bigger guys who have rules upon rules, spreadsheets, guidelines, things that must be followed down to the letter or be rejected, to the smaller companies that don't even know what quicktime is, let alone be able to tell you what specs they need to get their assets ready for air, I've personally seen Scott tackle all of these situations and many more with knowledge and experience, a tempered head and more often than not a smile on his face. I have seen him train assistant editors in cut-throat environments where nothing but the best will be tolerated. He has trained entire trailer companies' editorial staffs to be able to actually understand and maximize the software they are using. Whether you are brand new starting out in the industry with zero experience or just wanting to update your knowledge on almost any part of the process, Scott and sharp focus should be your first and last stop. Andy B. (Trailer Editor) read more

Okay so here's the thing. If you want a career in the film/TV industry there are only a couple options. 1) You know someone or are related to someone who is willing to hire you and let you learn on the job. 2) You somehow piece together enough experience and develop the skills to be of some value to somebody. All the while working for nothing or almost nothing. If you are lucky, you may have avoided paying anywhere between 30 and 100 grand on "Film School". (see NYU or LA Film School) Surprisingly no one has come up with a workable solution to the age old problem of how to get experience without a job and vise versa... until now! Scott Crawley and Sharp Focus Media Academy (SFMA) have effectively "Re-written the code" with a proprietary learn/work/learn training program. Experience is the currency used to "Buy in" to any job. Some schools can teach you the skills you need to work as a professional in the TV/Film industry but only Sharp Focus Media Academy can give you the experience. The program is condensed and only covers skills and training that can actually be used in real-life production. This means you don't have to put your life on hold for a year or more to complete school. The cost is affordable and only a fraction of any other program out there. This means you don't have to go deep into debt to pay for it. Last but certainly not least, students at SFMA have the privilege of getting their hands on top of the line equipment including 4K cameras, sound recording, studio lighting and video editing. Over all a great school and innovative approach to learning. read more

I'm so sad it's over! I didn't expect to love Scott so much and have that much fun in his classes. In fact the program exceeded all my expectations. I started with hardly any experience in photo, video, and editing and now just after 3 months, I'm able to produce direct shoot edit and market professional projects! Thank God I didn't break the bank and go to a 4 year film school. Scott was right in taking what he learned from his experience making that mistake himself, that you could learn everything you need to know to enter the industry in a shorter amount of time and much more affordably. I really appreciated being able to help with real client gigs that Scott had coming in from his side business, Crawleywood Productions. I appreciated being trusted with a key and access to the studio and getting to check out equipment for my own non-school related personal project. It was awesome that it was just a handful of students allowing time for each of us to ask our questions and get thorough answers and private help in areas of editing where we were challenged. And I definitely appreciated that Scott went out of his way to help each of us out with our unique individual wants and needs and continues to do so having just sent me an email with a list of recommended lenses for my camera and desired style. Duuuude, sweet, thank you! read more

When I heard Scott Crawley was opening Sharp Focus Media, I knew he was going to put together a great program that combines, practicality, integrity, affordability and provides students with the information and hands-on training they need to succeed in an extremely competitive field. Coming from one of the "Big Box" film schools, many of my fellow students have either left Los Angeles, or left the film industry all together. It all comes to accountability and Sharp Focus Media's small classroom size and knowledgeable instructors, who are actively working in the industry, provides its students with some of the best hands-on training money can buy. On a personal level, Scott is one of the most dedicated and skilled professionals I have had the pleasure of working with in Hollywood. From screenwriting to cinematography, his vast knowledge in many facets of the film industry accompanied with his passion for teaching, makes him the perfect mentor for any student looking to branch out in Hollywood. The program is short, sweet and will give any student the tools they need to find their lane in Hollywood with only a fraction of the debt that most film students take on when leaving their program. I wish I would have known of a program like this before I jumped into the big pool of Hollywood film schools. read more

I have flirted with getting into the film "biz" since college. However I've never taken the plunge because I have always been intimidated by the prospect of working in such a difficult and opaque industry. It turns out all I needed was some good training, mentoring, and genuine encouragement from a few industry die hards. I found all this and more at Sharp Focus Academy. Scott and Dave interviewed me, helped me identify the career track within the movie business I wanted to take, and even put together a custom training program to get me started. These guys were just so cool, hands on, and amenable, and right away imbued all there teaching with a "you got this attitude." The confidence I had after working with them was in some ways more important than the hard skills I learned. I can't thank them enough nor recommend them enough. Just a few months after I took my course at Sharp Focus I booked my first gig working on a feature film. I simply would not have gotten this job without Scott and Dave, and I feel I'm on my way to a better future. They continue to provide me with support and encouragement and Sharp Focus is just an awesome institution. read more

Sharp Focus is by far the best option out there when it comes to film school. You cannot beat the price, network, hands on training, and environment that they offer. The school doubles as a production company so you obtain hands on training and work with real clients. I've leaned so much during my time at Sharp Focus. I intent to continue my education with them for as long as they will have me around. This place is run by two guys who love what they do, love to teach, and who are just straight up good people. I met and spoke with every other film school in LA...I chose this place because it's the real deal and I don't have to worry about student debt killing me for the next 30 years. If you love movies, are interested in film making, and want real world knowledge of how to break into the back end of the industry then Sharp Focus is the place to go. I researched this school for a week straight and found not one negative thing about them. In a world where people love to companion I think it speaks volumes that everything you hear about them is positive. Check them out for yourselves, you won't be disappointed!!! read more

If you want to get real world knowledge and experience for the production industry, this is the place to go. Most film and video schools spend so much telling you how to do things without letting you actually do them. Here you get to work hands on with professional equipment and software right from the start. You get a chance to try out a ton of different types of jobs on shoots so you can quickly discover what it is you enjoy doing. Plus, you're not only doing class projects. You get to make commercials for local businesses so that you actually can have professional work to put on your reel . Scott is a great teacher who will not only teach you how to use all the equipment, but also how to keep your clients happy and deliver an outstanding final product. The program moves fast, but that's because there's no wasted time or filler. It's everything you need to know to go out and do professional work. And even though it moves fast, Scott will make sure no one falls behind or doesn't understand how something works. Overall, a great place to gain a ton of experience in a short amount of time. read more

Sharp Focus is a great place. In addition to all the resources a filmmaker would need to know and use, Scott's openness, insightfulness, generosity, and genuine desire to see his students and colleagues suceed leads him to be both encouraging and realistic as he shares his deep well of industry knowledge and experience. I am currently working on something in development that Scott has jumped into in different roles depending on the day and need. He was both incredibly proficient at each task and a real pleasure to work with all the way through. I had some questions pertaining to areas in which I'm trying to grow, and Scott was able to give direct help and provide the resources that make me able to progress without the frustration or wasted time that would accrue had I proceeded without his guidance. If you want to jump into filmmaking with both feet and have the support you'll need to succeed once in the thick of it, go to Scott at Sharp Focus. If film and video are already your life and you want to sharpen and step up your game, then also go to Scott. read more

I paid $45,000 dollars to go to a film school from which I graduated with a 4.0 GPA and an Associates Degree in FIlm. Number of times I have been asked about that Film School Diploma or my GPA while on a job interview?...ZERO! Spending tens of thousands of dollars on a Film School does NOT guarantee you a high paying career in the Film/Television Industry. Hands-on experience, dedication, and a STRONG work ethic are the tools you need to build a strong foundation. These are some of the things you will get at Sharp Focus Media Academy. Scott Crawley is a born leader, an incredible teacher and someone who understands what it takes to make it in this competitive industry. Don't go into years of debt to go to an overly expensive school that promises the world and simply can't deliver. I have worked on several projects with Scott and I would go to war with him any day of the week. You're in good hands here. read more

I LOVED my experience at Sharp Focus Media Academy! I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone with even the smallest interest in going into the Entertainment-TV-Film industry. I moved to LA to get into the television and film world, but wasn't quite sure on what I really wanted to focus on. I knew that most film schools can leave you up to your eyeballs in debt (-$100,000...no thank you, plus no one who works in film in LA has ever been asked about their college GPA or degree) but Sharp Focus Media Academy is an affordable one-stop education to learn every aspect of a production. From writing to casting, to lighting, shooting and post-production, we covered it all. After which, I decided to focus my career on editing (which I learned at Sharp Focus) and LANDED A DREAM JOB! The teachers were great, the space is amazing, and the equipment is state of the art! Sharp Focus Media Academy will not disappoint you! read more

If there was a way for me to travel back in time to 5 years ago when I first moved to LA, and this course existed then, I would have taken it already! I have worked countless gigs in production and as an Actor and I can honestly say that Sharp Focus Media Academy has taught me more about the industry than any other experience or class. My only regret is not being able to take this course multiple times in order to take advantage of all the knowledge and experience gained in class and from the "real world" jobs associated with being enrolled in the course. Thank you, Scott Crawley and Sharp Focus Media Academy for creating a "one stop shop" for Film and TV production. I cannot recommend this enough for any and all actors, writers, directors, producers, editors and crew. If you are even thinking about a career in the Entertainment Industry save your time and money and start here! read more

This class was introduced and greatly taught by the schools founder, Scott Crawley. Right off the bat, I felt a vibe of "This is the real deal". I found his insights and grounded perspective extremely of great value. One promo piece I worked on, I felt was excellent after I cut it down to 2min 15 sec. Scott pushed my limits to get me to cut it down to a realistic time of 1 min, which was very challenging for me. Once I proudly showed him my 1 min piece, he told me it was excellent, but as his "client" things have changed and he needs it to be 30 sec." An impossible task I thought, but with much guidance, he taught me how to tell a complete story as quickly as possible. What I LOVE most, is it's not just some school I went to, I now have a friend in the Industry. Always willing to help me out when trends and technology change! Thank you Sharp Focus Media Academy! read more

Scott Crawley is extremely knowledgeable, funny, and easy to talk too. No question is a stupid question. Not only does he care about your success in the classroom , but outside of the classroom as well. He has connected many of his students to projects and people they would have never found on their own! I can imagine in a large university, you would be signing up for an overpriced class, and the teacher may give you a few extra minutes of their time and that's it- but Scott cares about you and your career. He referred me for my first gig as a storyboard artist on my first full movie project, and I am eternally grateful. When you are in an industry where it is more about who you know, then having a film degree- am baffled that people still spend years of their lives in film universities when Sharp Focus exists with Scott Crawley in it. read more

Sharp Focus Media and Scott Crawley do more for their students than any other film/video school, teacher I've known. the courses are affordable and the amount of on set experience you get is bar none. I was working on a award winning documentary, had a demo reel, and a in & out understanding of various workflows. This was well before finishing the program. That was accomplished due in a large part from the guidance and recommendations from Scott. His knowledge of production is endless and his enthusiasm when teaching is infectious. His courses are tailored made to get you out there working, there's no filler classes. i recommend SFMA to anyone either looking to start a career film/video production or an industry veteran looking for a refresher course on the newest tech and latest workflow. read more

It's one thing to learn the fundamental but putting them to use and being able to figure out what you are really good at is what separates Sharp Focus Media Academy from other schools. Scott teaches in a way that made me understand and feel confident in my abilities. He knows how to evaluate what the client needs and how to translate their vision into a creative and effective video. having the ability to walk away with work that has been used by actual clients and not just classwork definitely made me more competitive when I started looking for work and approaching persecutive clients of my own. I definitely recommend Sharp Focus Media Academy and Scott Crawley whether you're just getting into production or trying to supplement the skills you already have. read more

The best bang for your buck. You will learn so fast, get experience, make connections and start working on sets. If you are passionate about achieving these skills, Sharp Focus Media Academy will push you in the right direction. I wish this was the first school I went to. I would of saved so much more time and money. My other schools wanted to watch old movies and lecture. Dragging it out over months. Teachers weren't working in the industry, just talking about their experiences and how the industry hurt them. Sharp Focus Media Academy is creating new experiences. Scott throws you in and lets you take part and you learn a lot. I've worked on paid gigs from movies, commercials, and shows all through meeting Scott, the instructor at Sharp Focus Media Academy. read more

Where other film schools would have you spending months reading about film theory before actually getting to touch a camera, Sharp focus media allows you to immerse yourself in the film production experience from day one. You'll get to experience all the different aspects of production. From lighting a scene to editing your final cut for a client. Not only will you find quality equipment and software at Sharp focus Media, but also a high quality and knowledgeable instructor, Scott Crawley. Scott has to be one of, the best instructors I've had in film. From the class room to the film set, Scott creates an optimal learning environment for his students. If you're looking for hands on experience, in film, then Sharp focus media academy is the place to be. read more

wow! i walked in unsure of a lot of things, most importantly not knowing the job that was right for me... and my mind was immediately set at ease with the thoughtful guidance of the staff at sharp focus and the experience provided during my time there. as a former high school teacher, i'm fairly critical of the way one presents themselves and the content they are trying to teach... i can't recommend the staff at sharp focus highly enough! they are down-to-earth, knowledgable and obvious experts of their craft. the depth and structure of the program was wonderful; it was perfectly paced and the guided, hands-on experience can't be beat! if you're already here checking them out, you've found the right place for you. read more