Category: Blog

As a tribute to our good friend and instructor, Brandon “Chandler”, who passed away last May, we held our first “Chandler’s Day Out.” Chandler used to enjoy taking HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS graduates out for a day… Maybe it would be a movie, maybe it would be doing some filming.

Our classes are going very well. We are now a couple of weeks into Editing (taught by Stan), Typing & Computers (taught by Cyndi and Scott), beginning acting (taught by Chris and Josh) and “The Careers of Television” (taught by Gary).

In the next couple of weeks we will be starting camera class, creative editing, new technologies as well as having a composer come in to discuss writing music for the screen.

Stan and I shared a fun moment during one of our classes. Really looking forward to the coming weeks.

We’ve had a very busy past two weeks… We said goodbye and congratulations to our graduating semester #7 class. We had (10) graduates and gave certificates of appreciation to (4) of our teacher’s aids. Right before our graduation we…

…welcomed our brand new semester #8 class. We currently have (35) students and (8) teacher’s aids.

We are all really looking forward to the next (12) weeks of instruction to see how God is going to move in these men’s lives and the lives of their families.

28111 KELLY JOHNSON PARKWAY-VALENCIA, CA. (661)257-4300

We want to send a huge THANK YOU to KEEP IT SELF STORAGE (“KISS”) for helping us with the storage of our ever growing (thank you God) donated equipment.

Please thank and support “KISS STORAGE” for their support of HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS. If you or anyone you know is in need to self storage, please have them call Tony Dominguez one of their fine managers at: (661)257-4300. Please mention HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS. They’re offering 50% off your first (3) months.

Thank you Tony and everyone at KISS STORAGE!!

Last weekend we shot our 5th episode of ABOVE THE LINE. On this episode, our very special guest was Barry Josephson, who has been part of the producing team of such movie hits as ENCHANTED, WILD WILD WEST and such television series as BONES, TALES FROM THE CRYPT and Fox’s new series, THE FINDER. Mr. Josephson was amazing and shared many interesting stories and advise with you guys. They all really enjoyed his interview and meeting him “on stage” (in our converted classroom). Thank you so much Barry Josephson!

Our student/inmates once again, got true hands on experience building the set, running the camera, lights and sound. It was a great experience to all involved.

Once again, Chick fil A – Valencia stepped up and helped us with food. We cannot express how much we appreciate their support. For those reading this blog, please go out and support this fine organization wherever you may live.

We’d also like to thank all of our Hollywood Professionals for giving their time to make this episode and this experience so rich for our students. Our director, David Jeffery, our host, Amy Holt, our Gaffer/DP, Chris Fallin, our Sound Supervisor, David Strohmaier and the rest of our volunteer instructors, all of the deputies and CA’s of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who gave up their Saturday to help us. And another special thank you to our guest Barry Josephson.

We know it’s been awhile since our last update, but that is because a lot has been going on…all of it good.

Last Tuesday, September 13, 2011, HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS officially held their first “MERIT Alumni Meeting” in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. David Taylor from CELEBRATE RECOVERY has come onboard to help us each week. This last meeting was terrific! We had a great response. We shared with our current student/inmates about the direction we were taking the Alumni meeting and received and enthusiastic round of applause. Many of our guys know and respect Dave Taylor. We expect the Alumni group to grow each week.

For those who might not know, the LASD MERIT Alumni meeting is held each week to help and support both former inmates and their families. Helping men to change their lives, deal with their addictions, to never return to jail/prison and help them reconcile with their families. For family members, it teaches them how to support their men that are still incarcerated and once they’re released. It is a terrific program that HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS is proud to be part of.

On Wednesday, Hal Lary came in to talk to the class about his job as head of transportation on numerous 20th Century Fox Television series, like GLEE, “24” and RAISING HOPE. Hal shared his vast experience coordinating all the transportation needs over his 30 year career. He told some terrific stories from his experiences on “24”, RUSH HOUR and other motion pictures and television shows he’s worked on. He is one of our favorite guest speakers. Our student/inmates always enjoy it when he comes in. Hal doesn’t sugarcoat how difficult it is to get into transportation, but it’s not impossible.

Thank you Hal for sharing your time and life experience!

Yesterday we had our first monthly HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS ALUMNI AND FAMILY MEETING in a west Los Angeles Conference room. It was a great meeting with a good turnout for this first meeting.

We talked about the exciting things going on with HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS and some of the future plans within the Los Angeles County Jail system. We believe these changes will offer us more exciting opportunities. Sorry to be so vague here, we’ll talk about those changes as soon as they’re official…

Instructor Chris Ackerman lead us in praise music and prayer to start things off…

After our initial presentation, we opened it up to to the group for questions, discussions and suggestions. After all this Alumni meeting is for them, we needed their input.

We look forward to our second meeting next month. Thanks to all that participated.

HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS is holding it’s first monthly ALUMNI AND FAMILY MEETING this Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 3:00PM in West Los Angeles. (Address given upon RSVP)

This monthly meeting and is open to all alumni and families who have been part of Hollywood Impact Studios Ministry. There will be open discussion for members interaction on a personal level, networking, ideas to grow the ministry and much more.

We pray this meeting and future meetings will help us all become strong members in society as well as open a path for those who will be coming “Out of the Gate”. We urge you to attend this meeting and participate in the direction of the ministry.

Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, August 18th to Alfio or JoEllyn at: info@hollywoodimpactstudios.com . If you would like to attend but do not have transportation, please let us know so we can try to coordinate transportation.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Alfio and JoEllyn

Volunteers

Hollywood Impact Studios Ministry

We are halfway though our semester. It’s a great class and the students are learning a lot and seem to be really enjoying the classes.

This week we started our camera class with guest instructor Ryan Sheridan of Otto Nemenz Camera. Ryan is terrific instructor and had the students hanging on his every word. You could really see Ryan’s passion come out as he spoke.

During this weeks class, Ryan talked about how the camera, grip and electric departments are put together and what each person does within that department. He also talked about the changing technology, how we’ve moved from film to the digital video capture.

I find it so interesting to watch how our guys, who know nothing about the television or motion picture industry, end up catching our passion for this industry and how quickly the learn.

Ryan, thank you so much for your time. Also we’d like to thank Otto Nememz Camera. They are a terrific camera rental company. You can learn more by visiting their website: www.ottonemenz.com