Alumni Profile: Anthony Petrossian '01

Where are you from?
I'm a native Southern Californian. Well, at least I've been here since I was 3 years old. I was raised in Northern Glendale near Montrose and LaCrescenta.

Where do you currently work? What do you do?
I currently have a production company called "Ipso Facto Films," which creates educational DVD content. We recently put out a title called "All About Law School" which is the first ever DVD about ... well, you get the idea. I also direct music videos and commercials through another company called "Rockhard Films" in Los Angeles. Most of my work is online at http://www.rhfilms.com.

What is your educational and professional background?
I dropped out of the film department at UCLA to pursue a literature degree. Knowing I was ultimately going to be a filmmaker, I wanted an education that was more substantive and "right brain." That's the same logic that ultimately brought me to USC for law school. What better way to learn about humans and society than to get an education in the law?

How has your USC Law education influenced your career?
I only practiced law for about a year before I left the firm to pursue my dream of becoming a filmmaker. That said, my legal education is now an inseparable part of my psyche. Many people mistakenly think that you go to law school to learn the law. Nothing could be further from the truth. The law is something you always have to research. In fact, you go to law school to learn "how to think." That is a skill that can never be taken away.

What outside activities are you involved in? What are your hobbies?
This year I directed a few music videos for a heavy metal band called Slipknot, another one in Belgium for a band called Millionaire, as well as a few hip hop videos. Most recently, I directed the video for Avenged Sevenfold's "Beast And The Harlot." Currently, I'm working on a four-week special effects session to finish this video off. I'm also very busy promoting and distributing the "All About Law School" DVD we just put out. Even though I spend most of my time working on rock 'n' roll videos, this law school documentary was very satisfying to make because it allowed me to relive one of the most impactful years of my life.