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TALENT MANAGER SONJA NORWOOD JOINS THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL FACULTY

Published

8 years ago

March 29, 2018

umeektv

The Los Angeles Film School appointed veteran talent manager, television producer, entrepreneur, and author of motivational text “Change Starts with ME!,” Sonja Norwood, to its faculty, effective immediately. Norwood brings her more than 20 years of talent management experience with Grammy Award winner, actress, daughter Brandyand Platinum recording artist, actor, son,Ray J, to the school. She will lend her industry expertise to The Los Angeles Film School and its students as an adjunct professor of artist management in the entertainment business department.

The artist management course explores the career path of the music manager. This position plays a significant role in the music business community and in the career of an artist/band. Sonja will lead classes on how to leverage the artist-manager relationship, what tools are needed when launching an artist’s career and understanding the complexities of management contracts. She will also be responsible for equipping students with the skills they need to coordinate and liaise career path management.

“Sonja’s passion for music and entertainment coupled with her wealth of experience and industry knowledge will be invaluable to our students,” said Hal Lieberman, entertainment business program director, The Los Angeles Film School. “We are thrilled to have her join The Los Angeles Film School and add her to our team of incredible full-time faculty and esteemed adjunct professors.”

Norwood has over 20 years of experience in talent management as the CEO of Norwood & Norwood Inc. She was the guiding force behind the launch of her daughter Brandy’s multiplatinum music career with Atlantic Records, which included a Grammy-nominated album titled “Brandy,” ten “Top 10” singles, five albums, and more than 40 million records sold worldwide. She also helped facilitate Brandy’s success through consulting on the TV series “Moesha,” through television and film roles, including the 1997 TV remake of the iconic Disney princess tale “Cinderella,” staring Whitney Houston, and endorsement deals that included international brands such as CoverGirl, DKNY and Candies.

“I’m very passionate about the role and responsibilities of the artist manager,” said Norwood. “Teaching artist management at The Los Angeles Film School has been a goal of mine for more than two years. It’s rewarding to know that sharing my vast knowledge and experiences with students will have a lasting impact on their career and the careers of aspiring artists. It’s going to be fun, exciting and real!”

Sonja was also instrumental in the careers of multi-platinum artists such as Ma$e, 702, Silk, BeBe Winans and gospel group Trinitee 5:7, for which Norwood has received a host of platinum and gold plaques. She also consults singer-songwriter Tameka “Tiny” Harris, actors, up-and-coming artists, new and seasoned managers, and independent record labels. In 2009, she expanded her television portfolio by entering the realm of reality television alongside her son Ray J. She established herself as an executive producer through reality shows like “For the Love of Ray J,” and “Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business.” In 2016, she took her expertise of consulting online, creating “The Bizness®,” an online portal that offers members entertainment-centered workshops, webinars, and training sessions.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL

The Los Angeles Film School, located in the heart of Hollywood, has been serving the community and its students since 1999. This accredited, VA-approved institution offers Bachelor and Associate of Science degrees in Entertainment Business, Animation, Graphic Design, Music Production, Audio Production and Film. Its facilities include the historic RCA Building at 6363 Sunset Boulevard and offers access to exceptional industry-standard equipment to its students. The school’s faculty of industry professionals have earned credits on a number of major motion pictures, video games and music recordings. Numerous graduates have received awards at Film Festivals worldwide, engineered multi-platinum albums, and some credits include GRAMMY® and Oscar® nominations and awards. For more information about The Los Angeles Film School, please visit: www.lafilm.edu or call 323.860.0789.

FOLLOW SONJA NORWOOD ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: @ThaBizness

Twitter: @SonjaNorwood

Web: SonjaNorwood.com

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OFFICIAL TRAILER RELEASED FOR “CALL ME MICKY,” EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY DOMINIQUE JACKSON

Published

3 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

Jimmy Star

**New 22-minute documentary short follows Micky Angelo Petrillo after transitioning at 59, with the acclaimed POSE star helping bring his story to the screen**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — NEW YORK: The official trailer for CALL ME MICKY, a new documentary short Executive Produced by acclaimed POSE star Dominique Jackson and directed by Andrew Rasmussen, has been released on YouTube ahead of the film’s upcoming festival run.

The 22-minute documentary follows Micky Angelo Petrillo, a larger-than-life New Jersey native who transitioned at 59 and is now discovering what comes next.

Rather than presenting transition as the conclusion of Petrillo’s story, CALL ME MICKY focuses on the life unfolding afterward — through Pride celebrations, open mics, friendships, storytelling and Petrillo’s increasingly public embrace of the man he fought decades to become.

Jackson also appears in the film, joining Petrillo for an intimate on-camera conversation about identity, visibility and what it means to finally live openly as yourself.

Internationally recognized for her commanding portrayal of Elektra on FX’s groundbreaking series POSE, Jackson is an actress, model, activist and producer who also served as an Executive Producer of the acclaimed documentary I’M YOUR VENUS, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival.

Petrillo is the author of the memoir Walking the Earth: First as a Woman, Then a Man.

While CALL ME MICKY captures one chapter of Petrillo’s much larger story, the film offers an intimate portrait of a man discovering that becoming yourself is not the ending — it may only be the beginning.