When #OscarsSoWhite was trending in response to the perceived lack of diversity and development of new voices in Hollywood, Rachel Miller got “a crazy idea.”
“There are so many creative kids in L.A. who are being left behind,” says Miller, a founding partner of the management and production company Haven Entertainment. “Let’s identify them, mentor them, and through that build a pipeline into Hollywood that can solve many problems at once.”
And Film2Future was born.
Now in its second year, this nonprofit organization inspired by Miller’s experience as a teacher in an underserved elementary school gives at-risk teens the skills, tools and support they need to pursue an arts education or an entry-level job in the local entertainment industry.
Applications are currently open to Los Angeles County high school students through Monday for Film2Future’s two-week intensive animation program, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, from June 12-23.
South El Monte teen Jenna Flores, one of 19 participants returning to the program this summer, stresses the “intense” part.
“You’re trying to absorb everything all at once, and it’s a lot,” says Flores, 17, who plans on pursuing theater in college. “But Film2Future definitely opened up so many doors for me, and it got me thinking that there isn’t just a director, actor or cinematographer. There are so many jobs beyond that; you’re not limited.”
Read the rest of How Film2Future helps mentor creative, at-risk kids to work in Hollywood via the Los Angeles Daily News website.
