Category: Blog

. . . . . “Angola shines beyond the storms of life.” . . . . .

Last weekend, we traveled to hot and muggy Louisiana, more accurately, Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. We were there for two reason, for the Awana, RETURNING HEARTS CELEBRATION; a program to build a Godly relationship between inmate fathers and their children. This was our second time to this event. You can check out the link below to learn more about this years event. This is a great video!

http://youtu.be/LkSymrdEVvY

The other reason we were there was to discuss with the Warden staff bringing a modified HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS program to Angola. We’re still deciding what that program would look like. While we were there we toured their “media” departments. Our first stop was to the “TV Station”.

…Which they call “the closet” for obvious reasons. They’re able to do a lot with a little. We were very impressed.

Our next stop was their radio station.

It broadcasts 24/7 throughout the prison.

And our last stop was the Angolite Magazine office.

The Angolite Magazine was first published in 1976. They publish (6) editions per year. It is completely run my inmates and gained a national reputation as a quality magazine after winning several international awards.

We stayed in nearby St. Francisville which has so much history. This Southern Church was build in the 1882 and stands so majestically.

A little Louisiana atmosphere…

The food there was great. Not exactly low-cal, but great tasting.

Including the Alligator. It was a great trip!!

Last week 20th Century Fox held it’s first 2011 Veteran’s Appreciation Event (on the Fox Lot) to thank Veteran’s for their service to our Country. This first event was primarly aimed at Fox employees who have served but all Veterans were welcome.

Organizations that support Veteran’s were invited to come. HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS was one of those invited organizations. (Pictured from left to right are Richard Straub USMC, Cyndi Hall, Co-Founder of HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS and Reggie Sterling, United States Air Force.)

There was a great turn out for this event. The next Veteran’s Appreciation Event will be held in a few months and will be open to the public. Thank you 20th Century Fox for your support!

Happy 4th of July from HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS!!

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