The Scene Is Set…

The Actors Are In Place

The Lights Are On …

The Sound Is Ready

The Cameras Are Rolling…

ACTION!

 

At first glance, it looks like Hollywood is coming to Huntsville, Alabama.

 

But this film production crew consists of twelve remarkable film and TV students from Alabama A&M University. All of them are from the Deep South region of the country who have only dreamed of visiting and working in Hollywood …. until NOW!

 

HIT IT!

 

These extraordinary and talented students are taking Huntsville to Hollywood!

 

Spearheaded by the Media Arts Institute of Alabama, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade has extended their first ever invitation to a Historically Black College or University, to work behind the scenes writing, producing, filming, interviewing, and editing, a real-time film documentary about the pageantry of the iconic Twenty-fifteen New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade, and Rose Bowl football game.

 

In addition to producing the Rose Bowl documentary, the A&M crew will enjoy visits to major Hollywood TV studios and movie sets.

 

They will tour media technology companies and talk to educators at Cal Poly about graduate school opportunities; and interact with accomplished music and film producers, directors, actors, and digital media executives who will give them career advice and tips for success.

 

They will also produce a personal video travel log of the group’s adventure, complete with their honest and sometimes exuberant observations, reactions, and experiences throughout the trip from the time they board the jet plane, until its wheels-down back in Huntsville!

 

“All of the students the Media Arts Institute reaches out to come from disadvantaged economic backgrounds, families with meager or even impoverished circumstances, and from areas where there is little opportunity. We call them ‘at-risk’, but these A&M students are outstanding because they have made choices that helped them find a way to one) go to school, two) stay in school, and three) graduate.

 

“Whether they got here through academic scholarships, grants, or just a luck and a prayer, they have ambitions, desires, dreams, and determination ―the heart, if you will ― to overcome those circumstances and pursue their interests in the arts, design, and music; as well as the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.”

 

Let’s meet a few of the Huntsville to Hollywood crew and then we will tell you how YOUR monetary contributions and corporate sponsorships can help make this project even better!
 

This is Eric Slaughter, a junior studying documentary filmmaking. Eric, you grew up in a small town outside Biloxi, Mississippi. Tell us how you see this opportunity widening the lens if you will, on your career in filmmaking.

 

Meet Kim Pettway, a senior who came to Alabama A&M on an academic scholarship from Alabama’s Gulf Coast. She is studying TV journalism. Tell us Kim, how the Huntsville to Hollywood project will help you write your own script for success.

 

Eric Coleman grew up in outside Dothan, Alabama. Eric, I understand you have lost both of your parents, but you were able to attend Alabama A&M by applying for a grant and working for the university to pay your expenses. How do you think the Huntsville To Hollywood documentary experience will help you create your own pathway to success?

 

“As you listen to these kids talk about the obstacles they have had to overcome, remember … some of these students have never been but a few miles outside their hometown, much less ever flown on an airplane. They have never stayed in a luxury hotel; and never eaten in fancy restaurants. Imagine their excitement at the prospect of working on a real film project in Hollywood!”

 

And real it is!

 

The crew will have to overcome many more obstacles on their way to producing the documentary, Huntsville To Hollywood.

 

“First, they are currently raising their own personal funds to make the trip, but it won’t be enough!

 

We need corporate sponsorships and individual donations to help us raise about thirty thousand dollars by November fifteenth, to pay for hotels, airfare, field trips, equipment, insurance, and food for the twelve students and the five adult chaperones who will accompany them safely across the country.”

 

The work will be challenging.

 

While they have worked on numerous film projects here at home including producing public service announcements for the United Way of North Alabama for instance, it will be first time they have traveled together as a team, and worked together as a team, on an important, professional film project.

 

They will learn how to pack and travel by land and air carrying thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment.

 

They will have to write a script, plan shots, and manage a frugal production budget.

 

They will have to set up shots, conduct interviews, and manage the technical aspects like lighting, props, and sound.

 

They will have to edit film complete with sound and special effects to produce a unique documentary perspective of America’s premier New Year’s Day celebration, seen on TVs across the nation. 

 

“Producing a film is a bit like envisioning every miniscule piece of Humpty-Dumpty’s outer shell, as a whole egg; breaking him into a thousand pieces; and putting him back together again so he looks even better than you envisioned him when you created him.

 

“As students, none of them have ever walked through these tedious steps by themselves without an instructor showing them the way. Myself and the other chaperones will be there as advisors and protectors, but when it comes to the work, they are on their own.”

 

All of the students are in some way active in community service projects.

 

Some of them are active in the Boys and Girls Clubs.

 

Some have taken on leadership roles in university clubs and associations.

 

Many of them have served as student mentors to disadvantaged high school film students with an emphasis on the importance of going to college, graduating with a degree, and pursuing their dreams.

 

“They have all agreed to continue their community work while on their trip, volunteering with an inner city youth organization in South Central Los Angeles, while they are gone.”

 

LIGHTS. CAMERA... ACTION
 

Now the spotlight is on YOU!

 

We need your help setting the film project in motion. Right now, YOU are the star!

 

Will you help us raise thirty thousand dollars by November fifteenth, to send these twelve up-and-coming filmmakers, lighting and sound editors, screenwriters, directors, producers, and SFX professionals to Hollywood where they will experience an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tap into the secrets to success in the film and TV industry?

 

Your cash donation is tax-free and we will give you an exclusive twenty-fifteen Rose Bowl Parade poster, and a copy of the final documentary film, Huntsville to Hollywood!

 

“The Media Arts Institute is a nonprofit youth development and educational organization committed to developing positive thinking, building confidence, and honing the creative skills of disadvantaged youth and young adults in Alabama so that they can compete on a global level.

 

“We feel every young person deserves a chance to experience all life has to offer, regardless of the circumstances under which they were born. We give our kids a fighting chance at growing into productive, caring citizens in their communities, and respected authorities in their professions.”

 

Visit our website at www.Huntsville2Hollywood.com to make a donation ― from five dollars to five thousand dollars; we must meet our goal of thirty thousand dollars by November fifteenth in order to secure hotels, airfare, and ground transportation to Pasadena, and ultimately Hollywood!

 

Thank you for your support!