HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS - News & Updates

Our blog has moved.  Please visit our new HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS website at www.hollywoodimpactstudios.com check out our new site and to continue to read our blog simply click on the Blog link...  If you're interested in reading some of our archived stories, this blog site (the one you're on now) will stay active for that purpose.  Thank you for following us and looking forward to seeing you at our new website...

HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS - News & Updates

We have begun semester #16 at South Facility.  This is our largest class ever with 50 students.  The instructors have all noticed that although this is a big class there is no lack in energy or enthusiasm.

We're adding a new class this semester called JOBS FOR LIFE, taught by one of our former students, Charles Roseland.    JOBS FOR LIFE is a (12) week program that teaches much more than how to complete a resume or interview for a job.  It's a faith-based program that teaches it's students how to be great Godly employees!   Thank you Charlie for your willingness to come in and offer this terrific opportunity to our students.   We're looking forward to this exciting new semester!

INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE

 Most all of the equipment we use in our program has been donated. Much it from 20th Century Fox and their former employees.

None of it is new, all of it used; during this equipment's life it has been used on some of the biggest movies and television series, but now it has blemishes on it...   



...rust on the light stands, missing pieces,small patches or stains on the lighting silks, but it all still works. 

As I watch us use this equipment I wonder which movie stars it lit in its past life. It makes me smile to see it being used again, for good and noble purposes, for helping to change lives and light the paths of new futures.

As one of our instructors once pointed out, this equipment has been redeemed just like our students... just like all of us...



We are so thankful to have this equipment and put it back to work!

HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS - News & Updates

 

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.

HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS - News & Updates

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

The guys have been loving Stan (who is featured in this blog entry) and Luke's class.    Next semester we hope that our instructor Brandon will have enough time to return to class.     In June when we start our next semester, HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS will be marking their 5th year inside the Los Angeles County Jail.   Wow, the time is just flying by.   Praise God.  

HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS - News & 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.



 

HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS - 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.

=================

"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~