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We just shot our second episode of ABOVE THE LINE (an education series for use in the classroom). Again, as in the first semester, our student/inmates operated the Hi-Def cameras, set up the lights, put together the set… everything! They did a great job. Our special guest speaker for this episode was Chad Everett. He had a lot of wisdom for our class. Thank you so much Chad!

“Wish List” is a new column for the blog. We feel we should put out a wish list of things HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS needs and see what God does.

We are looking for “a space” outside the jail to hold classes, meetings, Bible study, etc. This space could be vacant building, house or store front that we could lease for $1.00/year. It could even be a piece of land where we can put a trailer. Basically we’re looking for a home for HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS anywhere in the great Los Angeles County area.

Second, one of graduates is in need of a car. Nothing fancy, just a good transportation vehicle to help him with work.

Wow, it’s hard to believe but we’re almost finished with our second semester. Graduation is just around the corner. We started out with (36) inmate/students but only have(8) remaining. Some were “early releases” and many were “rolled up” (kicked out of the MERIT Program). But we trust God in all this. We’re so proud of these guys that have made it through these 12 weeks. They’re the cream of the crop. They’ve shared with us how much God has moved in their lives.

It is exciting to share this photo of one of our alumni from our very first semester. He’s doing great! “Mas” helped us out on a camera test at Fox a couple of weeks ago. He did a great job and worked very hard. He was beaming all day.

Keep up the good work, Mas!

All of us at HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS want to wish you a very Happy New Year. We’re looking forward to see what God does with this Ministry in 2010!

Pencils down! Our first writing program is done. Derek and John covered screenwriting, magazine writing and how to write a short story. Now that the class is done, our inmate/students have an opportunity to enter a screenwriting contest. Today is the deadline to turn in their scripts. Prizes will be awarded the first week in January.

Hollywood Impact Studios is off for a two week Christmas break. Merry Christmas to all from Gary, Cyndi and all of the Hollywood Impact Studios Team.

After we’d already started our second semester, many of our student/inmates asked if we could offer a writing class. We didn’t know how we were going to pull that one off. But God provided! We’re excited to report that in conjunction with the ministry, 168 Film Project (www.168project.com), John Ware and Derrick Warfel came onboard and are teaching (4) two-hour writing classes. Their class will cover script writing as well as short story writing and magazine writing. Our guys are very pumped about the classes… Much thanks to John Ware and Derrick Warfel.

Derrick Warfel teaches his screenwriting class.

We’re off this week for Thanksgiving. We wish all of our friends, family and supporters a Very Happy Thankgsgiving.

We’re about halfway through our second semester at The Peter Pitchess Detention Center. We started with 32 inmate/students but are now down to 26. Some were “early releases” a few got “rolled up” (in trouble and kicked out of the program).

It’s funny how each group of student/inmates are so different. During the first semester I taught an overview of the script writing process and I watch as most of the men yawned. I almost dropped the class this semester.

I’m so glad I didn’t. This semester, same class, but we have about half the inmate/student are so interested in the script process that they’ve asked for a writing class. It looks like we’ll be able to accommodate this request by teaching writing through “Pens in Prison”.

I have always liked this verse because when days at work really get tough and I ponder slacking off, I think of this verse. It is Christ whom I work for. I must give Him my all!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24

HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS falls within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Departments, MERIT PROGRAM, a faith-based, rehabilitation and education program. Part of MERIT is The Alumni Program, which is designed to help inmates once they are released. The MERIT program meets at Grace Baptist Church every Tuesday Night.

Along with the inmates, their families also attend to learn ways to help them as they reintegrate back into society.

One of HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS requirements is that our graduates attend the Alumni Program. We think this is one of the best ways to insure their success. As Cyndi and I have been attending we’ve seen the numbers grow each week. God is moving mightily through this program.