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Meet Our Instructors

Leaders in Film & Television

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Urban Scholar Film Academy mission is to share the communal and collaborative process of filmmaking with urban youth. 

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Founded by Imhotep Coleman, the film academy works with creatives in all level of experiences,  willing to share their skillset, time, and talent with urban youth.  

Imhotep Coleman

Imhotep Coleman is a veteran Assistant Director, television & film. His credits include: 

  • Sitting in Bars With Cake(2022)

  • I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2022)

  • Un*Prisoned (2022)

  • "9-1-1"  Television Series (2018-2020)

  • "Less Than Zero" Film (2019)

  • "Dirty Lies" Film (2017)

  • "Scandal" Television Series (2015-2017)

  • "The Bridge" Television Series (2014)

  • "The Secret Life of an American Teenager" Television Series ( 2013)

  • "Southland" Television Series (2009-2013)

  • "Project X" Film (2012)

  • "Nocturnal Agony" Film (2011)

  • "Dexter" Television Series (2011)

  • "Doll House" Television Series (2009)

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When Imhotep is not leading film crews, Imhotep is also an active member of the community. 

He and his wife Alexis are founders of  Urban Scholar Academy, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the minds of youth through academic enrichment and community service opportunities. Their commitment to education, community and service has resulted in them being selected and celebrated as  Super Bowl LVI Legacy  and Wrestlemania 2023 Community Champions.

 Additionally, Imhotep  is a trustee of the Directors Guild/Producers Guild Training program,  and a Man of Valor in the  Faithful Central Bible Church's "Rites of Passage" Black Male Mentorship Program.

 Imhotep received his Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television & Film from Howard University in 2001.  He is a proud Inglewood resident, husband to Alexis Coleman and active father of two fearless  teenage boys. 

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Derrick Pete

Derrick received his Master of Fine Arts from University of California Los Angeles’s Film & TV Screenwriting graduate program. As an optioned screenwriter, Derrick has written several features within the sci-fi/fantasy, drama, and thriller genres. Derrick was also a screenwriting fellow of Project Involve, Film Independent’s premiere program for filmmakers. Derrick obtained his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Florida at Gainesville.

Sam Hicks

Sam Hicks is a cinematographer of numerous feature films, commercials music videos, and corporate videos campaigns.

Formerly at Cheddar, Hicks served as a cinematographer for interviews and packages featuring CEOs of Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft and Delta. Through grit and determination, built over the years, Hicks created two films while in New York: “Outgrown” and “Varnel.” Varne His producing projects have  been released through Maverick Entertainment Group and is now streaming on Amazon Prime, Sling and Zumo and Youtube. Most recently Hicks been named Director of Photography for an educational company Be Great TV including Jessie Willaims, Tiffany Haddish  and celebrity makeup artist Sir John as teachers on the platform.  

Diane Frierson

Diane Frierson is a retired LAUSD instructor, and a Post Production Editor for over 10 years of credits. Her post production experience includes programming  at KCAL TV, Extra, Access Hollywood, Warner Brothers Marketing, and Fox Sports.

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Diane Frierson is also a dedicated tutoring instructor at Urban Scholar Academy.

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