Hollywood’s Got Heart: Hollywood Heart Teams Up with YUCA for 58th Movie Team

July 15, 2009 - PRLog -- Contact:
Christine Rodriguez
Hollywood HEART
818-260-0373
www.hollywoodheart.org
christine@hollywoodheart.org

Burbank, CA –  What happens when you mix a professional film crew with a bunch of kids? “The professionals rediscover the child-like wonder of the fun of making movies, while the kids become professionals for the day as they learn all the new movie skills”, notes Lisa Cavanaugh, Executive Director of Hollywood HEART, a non-profit organization dedicated to opening doors for at-risk children and teens in the Southern California area and selected locations in the United States and around the world.  On Monday, July 27, 2009, Hollywood HEART will premiere its 58th Movie Team event, “Connections Exposed”, a short film starring the teens from YUCA (Youth United in Creative Action). The premiere will be at The Big Time Picture Company, 12210 ½ Nebraska Avenue in West Los Angeles at 7pm.

David Gale, Executive Vice President of MTV New Media and Specialty Films Division and Founder and President of the Board of Hollywood HEART, says that the kids “keep our professional crew on their toes”.  “The Movie Team has helped Hollywood HEART find its unique voice by tapping into the creative community here in Los Angeles.  Now we are bringing that creative voice to kids in other parts of the country and exporting one of Hollywood's greatest assets,” Gale further noted.

“Hollywood HEART offered compassion and understanding while encouraging YUCA to use their creative powers. Producing something from scratch and imagination all the way to a film screening for YUCA offered a surcharge on positive esteem and affirmation,” said Ana Castillo, YUCA Program Coordinator. YUCA, headquartered in Inglewood, CA and associated with AADAP, the Asian American Drug Abuse Program, focuses on creating a safe environment for youth to express themselves and communicate about issues affecting them. The YUCA participants chose to create “Connections Exposed”, a short film about a club owner, battling an evil plot by sinister lawyers to take over his club, and his two daughters.

Partnering with organizations serving at-risk youth, Hollywood HEART’s Movie Team reaches children in foster care, after-school intervention programs, as well as those facing other difficult social and medical issues.  The Movie Team project is offered as an intensive weekend program, or as an after school program spanning an entire week.

Throughout each program, youth participants work directly with volunteers from the film industry to plan and produce a short film. The kids learn the entire process of making a film. More importantly, they are part of a successful team mentored by professional adults, a rare opportunity for many at-risk youth and a life experience from which they can draw pride and confidence.  

To celebrate the success and create a lasting memory of the children’s accomplishment, each session concludes with a real Hollywood-style premiere. The “stars” are recognized for their talent and hard work, and receive a copy of the film.

Hollywood HEART has worked with many other organizations including Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood, East Los Angeles, and Nevada; Hollygrove and CoachArt to bring these film ideas to life.

About Hollywood HEART.  Hollywood HEART is a non-profit organization dedicated to opening doors for at-risk children and teens in the Southern California area and selected locations in the United States and around the world. Since 1995, Hollywood HEART has provided Hope, Education, Arts, Recreation and Teamwork through three unique programs: CAMP PACIFIC HEARTLAND – a traditional summer camp for kids impacted by HIV/AIDS; THE MOVIE TEAM  - a filmmaking workshop for at-risk kids; and CAMP HOLLYWOOD HEART – an arts camp for youth ages 16 – 20 who are infected/affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit www.hollywoodheart.org.