May was graduation month. This month we held our graduation for semester #15. We had 13 graduates and 1 teachers aid. It was a great semester. Congratulations to all of our graduates! Good job! We’ll be starting semester #16 soon…
Surprise Gift
LASD (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department) Alumni Meeting counselor and friend Richard Badger and I went to the National Association of Broadcasters convention (NAB) in Las Vegas recently. On our way there, we dropped by to pick-up a special gift built by one of our HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS former students, Charles Roseland, and his wife. 
You would probably never guess what it is, so I’ll tell you. It’s a box to hold our grip flags. So what is a grip flag? It’s a large piece of material on a metal frame that is placed in front of a movie light. These flags are very expense to buy or fix. At HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS we try very hard to be good stewards of the equipment that is donated to us, so when Charlie saw that we were using a cardboard box as a flag box he told us he’d build us one. Thus our special gift.
I told Richard to get in the picture…no, he’s not that short, he’s just silly. Charlie and Amberly, thank you so much for all your hard work in building our flag box, it will be put to good use.
April 2014 – 2 – News and Updates
![images[9]](http://beta.hollywoodimpactstudios.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/images9.jpg)
We are nearing the end of this semester in which we have been spending more time with editing than in previous semesters. Our students are nearly done with their projects in which they are editing pictures to some Paul Harvey radio shows. The messages on the Paul Harvey are powerful that we feel are good for “our guys” to hear. 
April 2014 News and Updates
Earlier this March, HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS was honored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. We were privileged to receive this certificate from Supervisor Mike Antonovich and the rest of the board.
Cyndi was unable to attend, so our graduate and new instructor Charlie Roseland stood in for her. Supervisor Antonovich made a joke after looking over and seeing Charles instead of Cyndi.
Charles was able to also say a few words of thanks to Hollywood Impact Studios and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for helping him turn his life around.
Continuing Education
The are many different Broadcasting & Technology conferences out there. This last month we attended the “NRB”, National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville Tennessee.
This was our first time and admittedly it was quite different than any others we’ve attended. Right off the bat, having a Christian presences made the entire feel very different in a good way. Second, where it was held set it apart. We’re very accustomed to going to Las Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters Convention, but this one being in Nashville gave it a breath of fresh air, at least for me.
The hotel & convention center where it was held was the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and it was absolutely amazing.
In the dead of winter, you have this beautiful “indoor” wonderland. Loved this place!
Inside the convention itself, it was really interesting to meet religious broadcasters from all over the world. It’s at places like this that world seems very small. They all very enthusiastic about their programing and the people that they reach.
Although it was a very fast trip, it was a good trip. So glad that we attended. I highly recommend that you attend if you have the opportunity. I also highly recommend the The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center as a must stay place if you’re ever in Nashville.
February 2014 News & Updates
Two weeks ago we had our final video shoot for the end of semester #14. We decided to do something a little different – we interviewed Charles Roseland for a new web series called “CHOOSING A NEW PATH” which we plan to launch on Hollywood Impact TV.
We had a few new instructors that helped out on this shoot. This is DP James Reid who is helping one of our students design a shot. James was a huge help to our camera instructor John Ames, getting the cameras, lights and 12’X12′ silk set up and in place.
Instructor Stan took on the job of directing this shoot. He did a terrific job. Here we see our 1st AD Julie and Line Producer Jim working with the director to get camera angles decided.
The shoot went well, our students loved the day working as part of the production team. Now it’s on to post production. Our semester is over until we start again in March. Thanks to all that made semester #14 a success.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
For you music lovers among us, HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS visited the “NAMM Show” a few weeks ago in Anaheim, California. For those who might not know, (like me) NAMM stands for the National Association of Music Merchants and was founded in 1901. It is the world’s largest trade-only show for musical products,distributors, and manufacturers.
Manufactures from all over the world bring their products and attend this show.
The show attracts some interesting an sometime famous people like Stevie Wonder, Alice Cooper and Robby Krieger of THE DOORS.
Above is Robby Krieger of THE DOORS. As my brother (who attended with us) said, when you were young, would you ever have dreamed you be this close to a member of THE DOORS… Nope! Very cool and Robby was incredible!!
We had a great time and learned a lot. If you’re interested to check out the show next January. Visit the NAMM website to register.
Choosing a New Path – Leaving the Bars Behind
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.
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“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~
4th Annual Angel Tree Event
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!!
HIS December Update
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.
Our Classroom… Dorm #42