Author: Cyndi

This is a new segment for our blog about the alumni of HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS who are choosing a new path – one that leaves prison and jail behind. It is intended to be of help to our students who have recently left jail/prison or are about to, so they can see how the men before them have succeeded by choosing a new path. Below is our first installment from Bill, our former student turned mentor and friend of HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS.

“I am an addict and alcoholic. Hard to admit, but the truth, For me that was step 1 to my total transformation. My bad habits landed me in jail and prison for a grand total of 15 years on the installment plan. I finally surrendered and started a relationship with a God of my choice, I sought and continue to seek His guidance. I walked away from my past associates, places where I hung out and everything else. I am coming up on 4 years clean and sober, it’s not always easy, but it’s never hard either. I can’t we can, meaning NA, AA and God. I am employed full time, I have been attending College for 4 semesters now and completed the Construction Management Program. I attend meetings, church and just keep my mind busy in a positive and productive way. I am doing it so can everyone of you. You can’t do it alone. Do something new, what have you got to loose?” ~Bill~

Last week we had another terrific Angel Tree Gift giveaway event, our 4th.  For those who may not be aware of  the Angel Tree Program, it is part of Prison Fellowship.  Studies continue to show that if an incarcerated parent can keep and build a relationship with their children, the likelihood of their children becoming incarcerated drops dramatically.   Angel Tree helps to build that relationship by allowing inmates to sign up to get gifts for their children for Christmas.   Angel Tree volunteers go out, buy the gift for that parent, wrap it, put a label on it from that parent and deliver it to the child.

Again this year, our people from HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS participated.  Some were formerly incarcerated themselves, some were the family members of those incarcerated and others were our instructors and staff.

We met at In-N-Out Burger in Santa Clarita as we do every year for dinner and fellowship.  Once again, In-N-Out did a terrific job, serving us with that great attitude they always have. A big shout-out to them.
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After dinner, we loaded into (8) cars and caravaned our way down to the Pacioma, Sun Valley area.   At each stop we sang Christmas Carols (a little off tune at times) and then gave the gifts to the children from their parent.

It was a great evening of joy and laughter all in a heart warming atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who helped. Everyone at HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS wishes you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014!!

We’re back in the classroom after a brief break between semesters.   Semester #14 is underway with 30 new student/inmates meeting in our classroom #42.   This seems like a very enthusiastic group who are eager to learn.   We’ll be updating you as we move through the semester.   Welcome back and thank you to all of our volunteer instructors and of course Sherriff Lee Baca and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.

A couple of weeks ago we produced our Semester 13 final video project. For some, you may remember that this semester we were teaching live story telling in our class. So this final video project was to “film” our students telling those stories in front of a live audience. It was a terrific show, complete with a live band and (3) celebrity judges. Our first place winner was Socrates.

The guys had a great time both working behind the camera and telling their stories in front of the camera. It really helped many get out of their shells and feel more comfortable talking in front of people.

Two weeks ago HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS had a real production that actually was a paying job…  Yes, we got hired for a production job which was terrific because we were actually able to hire and pay many of our Hollywood Impact Studios Alumni who are out of jail and doing well.   We shot all day out at Melody Ranch Western Set in Santa Clarita, California.

HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS was contracted by the Lutheran Hour Ministries in St. Louis Missouri to shoot the “wraparounds” that will help re-launch their class series THIS IS THE LIFE.

The shoot went very well… longer than expected but went well none the less.   We were also able to hire TRADE TECH to cater our shoot.  Their culinary students did a terrific job!  Thank you Charlie Roseland and Trade Tech for making this possible.

Admittedly we did go way over budget for many reasons that were beyond our control so we will be doing a crowd funding project through Indiegogo to help cover finishing costs, so please keep an eye open for that offering.

We really would like to thank Lutheran Hour Ministries for their support and faith in HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS.  We’d also like to thank our crew who were incredible!  Also the Veluzat family for their help and support with our shooting location.   It was a glorious day of production.