Category: Blog

Last weekend HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS student/inmates, with the one on one guidance of our instructors, shot the third episode of ABOVE THE LINE. They constructed the set, put up the lights and ran the cameras.

This episodes special guest was Emmy Award winning composer Walter Murphy. (FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and many others). Our host was Carolyn Fallin, who brought a lot of energy to show. Crew call was at 7:30AM and by 10:00AM, the set and lights were up. All the departments ran very smoothly. By 10:30, our director, Josh Weigel was saying “Action”. The photos below tell more of the story.

The Grip and Electric Department are in full swing.

Camera check out.

Every shoot has to have craft service. Can’t work on an empty stomach!

Putting the finishing touches on everything before the cameras rolled.


Thanks to everyone for a great show! Our student/inmates have now turned their attention to editing. Can’t wait to see the completed episode of this semesters ABOVE THE LINE.

Last week at Grace Baptist Church one of the pastors read the verse below. It really hit me, nearly brought me to tears. I want to share this with everyone who works with and supports HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS. Cyndi and I really want to thank you for “doing it for Him.”

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, You did it to me.’ – – Matthew 25:35-40

During our classes we’ve discussed that for the most part, visual effects are produced in post production but that is not always the case. Sometimes, as in an episode of BONES, the planning started in pre-production, then involved production for a large portion of it and then finally post production put it all together. Click on the link below and see how a “sink hole” was created for this episode of BONES.

Watch Bones Episodes – Bones Online Videos

It’s been a little while since we’ve given an update on our program… Well the
4th semester at the Pitchess Detention Center is underway. We started with 25 student/inmates. We’re nearly half-way through. Gary has just finished teaching the overview of Hollywood Careers, Stan Cassio has finished basic Avid editing and now Chandler is teaching creative editing.

We’re very fortunate to get Derek Warfel to come back this semester and teach creative writing. Inmate/students are writing their scripts and we have (3) actors coming in this week to “perform” them.

Chris Fallin has just begun teaching basic camera and lighting. They guys really enjoy the chance to get some real hands-on training on these cameras.

God just keeps delivering top notch instructors who are so willing to give their time to teach these men as they also share their faith in God. Cyndi and I are so thankful.

Thought I would take just a moment to brag on the Co-Founder of HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS, my wife Cyndi. This last weekend she was assistant concert master with The Moorpark Symphony Orchestra as they played with The Riders of the Purple Sage. What a great concert. Lots of fun music and a great turn out, 1,000+ filled the outdoor event!

An exciting development occured recently, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, contracted HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS to produce a video for them called, “Out The Gate”. It is intended to be shown to inmates who are about to be released. The content is designed to help them not return to jail. One of the terrific opportunities was that (5) of our graduates had the opportunity to work on the video… both in front and behind the camera. They helped those who are still behind bars…

It was a great experience for all involved!

It’s hard to believe, but HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS has been teaching classes at the Pitchess Detention Center for one year! Wow, how time flies. We celebrated our one year anniversary at Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Encino. It was a time for Cyndi and I to say thank you to all of our terrific, dedicated instructors and support staff. God has blessed this ministry with some terrific caring folks who are willing to donate so much of their time. Thank you all!

We started our second year this past Wednesday, June 16th.

Pilot season is finally over for Gary. 20th Century Fox Television completed 15 pilots this year. It was a very busy time. One of the real Blessings was that two of our Alumni had the opportunity to work on pilots; to put into practice what they’ve learned through HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS. Great job Mas and Jon Paul!

Cyndi and I recently visited Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. We went to share a little about HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS and what we’re doing at the Pitchess Detention Center. We were also there as part of the “Returning Hearts” team from Grace Baptist Church.

For those of you who may not be aware of “Returning Hearts”, it is part of Awana International – a program to help teach men how to be Godly fathers. Many studies have shown that if there is a good relationship between an incarcerated father and his children, the odds of his kids following in his footsteps drops dramatically.

During this event volunteers set up a carnival and inmate fathers invite their children to spend the entire day with them. It’s a time to reconcile their relationships, share the Gospel and be the spiritual leaders God meant them to be. What an amazing day.

The entire “Returning Hearts” events was a huge success. If you’d like to learn more click on the following link: http://www.awana.org/lifeline/default.aspx?content=3077

A few weeks ago I attended the National Association of Broadcasters or “N.A.B.” convention in Las Vegas. For those of you who are not familiar with this, NAB is held every April and always in Las Vegas. Broadcasting related manufacturers come from all over the world to show their latest and greatest products. Companies likes Sony, Panasonic, Mole Richardson Lighting, JVC, Avid, Apple and many more all come to show what equipment they’re manufacturing that will be available in the near future. The convention lasts for one week. Below are some of photos from this years NAB:

The big thing this year was 3-D technology, Alexa camera from Arriflex and the “5D” from Canon.