In January 2015 the launch of our Los Angeles school embedded Point Blank deep in the center of America’s electronic music renaissance. As such, we thought it a good time to take stock and look back on the last two and a half years to see how we’ve solidified our presence in the LA scene, extending the reach of ‘The World’s Best Music School,’ a title we have proudly held for over 9 years.
With our Los Angeles facility located within Mack Sennett Studios, the legendary and long-standing film studios seemed a fitting place for us to establish our LA home for our already 20+ year-established institution. Built by Mack Sennett (who landed Charlie Chaplin his first movie roles), there have been only five owners of the venue in the 100 years since it was built. With current owner and Head of LA School Jesse Rogg (producer for Sam Sparrow and Banks) at the helm, the venue has hosted Oscar after-parties, fashion and photography shoots, plus music videos for the likes of Michael Jackson, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Dr Dre.
Since opening its doors, Point Blank Los Angeles has seen some of LA’s top industry figures and artists grace its studios. Hip-Hop producer DiViNCi led the first PBLA masterclass in February 2015 and since then we have had legendary DJs and producers including Mix Master Mike, Robot Koch, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Alluxe and Daddy Kev host masterclasses for our student’s benefit. With the standard of guests at PBLA firmly established over two years, our gaze is very much future facing and you can expect masterclasses from many more music industry stalwarts as our roots within the City of Angels grow ever-stronger.
Mix Master Mike with PBLA DJ students and instructor Viktor Carillo
At Point Blank, we are committed to hooking up our students with the best in the business, something we have been putting into practice since 1994 in London and since 2015 in Los Angeles. As a long-standing and trusted institution, we have built relationships with some of the biggest brands in the world, like Ableton, Pioneer DJ, Arturia and Native Instruments, as well as some of the world’s most well-respected industry professionals. One of the things we pride ourselves on the most at Point Blank is the quality and reliability of our instructors. Each of our instructors is selected for their combination of talent, music industry experience and tangible success – which they then pass on to students in the classroom.
PBLA expert instructor Sweatson Klank
Music Production instructor Tom Wilson aka Sweatson Klank is a perfect example of the calibre of our instructors. An LA legend, he has worked with the likes of Flying Lotus, Mos Def and Just Blaze, as well as with brands such as Nike, Puma, Reebok, Novation, Ableton, Native Instruments and more. “I was the first teacher at PBLA and I’ve seen the school grow so much over the last 2 years,” he says. “For me, a milestone has been watching many of the students who I’ve mentored and become friends with, go on to start their musical careers.”
As Wilson goes on to note, all of the instructors are also active LA-based industry professionals, whose ever-growing experience gets passed directly to our students. “What makes PBLA such a great place to learn is the teachers. All of us are industry working artists/professionals who have years of experience and are all currently active in the music arena. Currently, I am preparing to release a new album, singles, and am starting a record label.” This is something Music Industry instructor David Harrow echoes, saying, “The music industry moves and morphs so quickly now that it is imperative that students are learning and hearing from current music makers and professionals with regard to applications, techniques and dealing with real-world advancements, such as how to release a track and performing.”
It doesn’t stop there. We are constantly connecting our students with interesting opportunities, from internships to gigs and performances. We’ve had link ups with renowned LA establishments like Dublab Radio, Will.i.am’s iam+ and the LA Music Project, the latter ending with a student getting a release on Puzzl Records. PBLA’s alumni include many successful students, such as KCRW radio host Travis Holcombe and producer Fiora Cutler. Student Kamel Omais went on to mix and master for Guy Gerber at his studio and has even recently joined us at PBLA to teach mixing.
The newest production studio at PBLA
PBLA has been steadily growing since its opening in 2015 and we don’t intend to stop any time soon. We have significantly expanded our Los Angeles studios, adding a new DJ studio in 2016 and a third production studio in January of this year, as well as constantly adding new course material, the most recent being our new Music Production & Sound Design Advanced Diploma. We have also recently had founding N.W.A member Arabian Prince join us at PBLA to teach Music Business, joining our ever-expanding line up of top-level instructors. As an ever-growing establishment, we are constantly thinking of ways to expand and improve our courses and facilities. The last two years have seen us deeply embed our Los Angeles school into the history of Point Blank and we are looking forward to watching it grow even more over the years to come.
The DJ Studio at PBLA
Thinking of joining us at PBLA? The Music Production & Sound Design Advanced Diploma course is our most comprehensive course and the ideal foundation on which to build a career in the music industry. Covering production, sound design, engineering (live and in the studio), DJing, mastering, and how to manage a career, the intensive course provides a 360-degree view of your options in the music business upon graduation. For more information, contact a course advisor or give us a call on 323 282 7660. If you’re calling internationally, use the number +44 20 7729 4884. We are currently offering a free copy of Ableton Suite worth $750 with all our LA production courses, helping you get straight into your studies when you enrol.
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The post Point Blank Los Angeles: The Roots Run Deep appeared first on Point Blank’s Online Magazine.