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We have started a new semester…semester #7. Wow, we’re moving into year three and the program just keeps growing. This is going to be our largest class ever with 45 student/inmates.

This semester we’re going to be teaching the some additional classes. Yes, we’re continuing all of our classes relating to the Television and Motion Picture Industry, but we’ve discovered many of our guys who are both in this current class (over half) and those who have graduated are lacking basic typing and computer skills so… Cyndi and Scott are taking that on. They’ve begun teaching an (8) week class on typing and basic computer (Word, Excel, etc.) This should be interesting and the guys seem excited to learn something that will help them in the 21 Century job market.

June 3rd was HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS 2nd year anniversary… Also last week we celebrated our 6th graduation. This graduation was dedicated to our friend and HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS instructor Brandon Chandler who we lost on May 4th to Liver Cancer. Many funny and heart warming stories were shared by the speakers. Alumni Robert D. was this semester’s guest speaker. He shared some great wisdom to the class on how he continues to win his battle over drug addiction. Robert has now been out for over a year and half (Clean and sober for 2 years) and continues to do very well. He is now a supervisor at his job. Great job Robert! We’re so proud of you.

Congratulations to our graduating class. Next semester starts later this month…

Sorry but our HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS website is down… We’re working on getting it up and running…

Last week our special guest speaker was Mr. Paul Snider, First Assistant Director on the hit CBS television series, NCIS. Paul was a terrific instructor and had our inmate/students full attention as he discussed his job on the show.

Paul walked our guys through how a big car chase and stunt is planned, prepped and shot. Paul then showed the finish scene as it aired on CBS.

Thank you Paul for sharing your time with “our guys”. It really means a lot to us.

Watch NCIS on Tuesday nights on CBS.

As we’ve shared over the last few weeks, Brandon “Chandler” was an extremely important member of HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS family and he will be missed greatly. During this time we’ve received many e-mails and letters from current inmate/students, graduates and their families telling us what Chandler’s involvement has meant to them.

We felt this might be a good time to share some of those comments with you.

“[Brandon “Chandler”] was very blessed and special man. He was my mentor, teacher and friend. His testimony of courage, faith and hope has made a profound impact on me and the way I view life. Brandon has impacted my life like nobody ever has.” – – Inmate/Student Bill

“I want you to know how much joy “Chandler” brought into my life. He is, and will always be special to me. I will never forget him. He is my friend & mentor and I wanted you to know that he has forever changed my life. I will always remember his smile and all the encouraging words that he shared with me. I am really going to miss him but I know in my heart that we will see each other again in Heaven.” – – Inmate/Student Pete

“Brandon Chandler was a very special guy who made great changes for my husband and I after meeting each other during the 168 film project we all did together a couple years back. Then they worked again on Destiny Trail. Well he left me with a feeling that we had been touched by an Angel. Our prayers are with his family.” – – Melody (wife of former inmate)

An empty classroom is our version of the “missing man formation” and a tribute to our friend, “Chandler” who will be missed but never forgotten!

-Gary, Cyndi and the entire HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS family-

We have been asked about how they might donate to HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS. There are three ways…

1. You can send a check to:

HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS

Post Office Box 2644

Van Nuys, California 91404

2. Click on the “Donate Button” on this blog sight.

3. Or donate your time as an instructor, mentor, employer or many other ways.

Thank you for asking.

The Hollywood Impact Studios Family must share some sad news. Our dear friend and brother, Brandon “Chandler” went home to be with the Lord today. Below is the statement from his family and our friends, The Chandlers who have said it better than we could:

“We know he is dancing, pain free and no doubt has already taken over the video department. Our sweet boy, Brandon “Chandler” went home to be with the Lord this morning at 3:45AM. He went peacefully in his sleep with his dad by his side.

Thank you all of you for your thoughts and prayers these last few months, please keep them coming as we start this new journey.

We are so grateful that we will dance with him again some day!

Love you Baby, have fun at your homecoming party!”

We love you Chandler & will miss you. Love, Gary, Cyndi, Stan, Chris, Josh & your entire Hollywood Impact Studios Family

Brandon “Chandler”, a dear friend to many of us and a very important part of the HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS family, is fighting stage 4 liver cancer. We ask that you please pray for Chandler and his family. Pray for comfort, healing and control of the pain…both his and ours.

The family is also holding a Film Festival Fundraiser for Chandler on
May 28, 2011 at 5PM at:

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
27265 Luther Dr.
Canyon Country, California

Admission is free, dinner and snacks will be served for a donation. If you’d like to come please RSVP or if you’d like to simply make a donation please, contact the family at: ronola57@gmail.com

Thank you so much for your support of this spiritual giant of a man.

We love you Chandler!

One of the unique aspects of our ministry and mentoring program is that it continues even once
“our guys” (HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS Graduates) have served their time and are released. Since our last posting, our guys were very involved in the filming of a 168 Film Festival project.

They worked both behind and in front of the camera. They were terrific crew members and amazing actors as well.

For many this was their first time to work on a real set.

“Potter’s Hand” was a true blessing for everyone involved. Thanks to the entire cast and crew for making it so…

Most of our reports are from inside “the classroom”. We thought it might be interesting to share some of the great news about “our guys” who have graduated and been released.

We now have many graduates who have been out for nearly a year and half. Most are working back in the community, staying plugged into their churches and raising their families. Here’s just a few stories; one of our guys works with the Veteran’s Administration, another works full time as a butcher, another is working in sales, one is working full time at a substance treatment center, two are working full time in the television industry and many others, many are volunteering with HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS, giving back.

But it’s not just about working. We’ve also seen at least one marriage saved and many families that have been reconciled. We now have half a dozen of our graduates regularly attending the Tinseltown Bible Study. One young man is back in college getting his degree. Plus many more successes.

God has really changed these men’s lives and we’re seeing what that change means. Please continue to pray for this ministry, our instructors and our graduates.