Racial Justice United States Project #54280

Production Training for Rising Filmmakers of Color

by Community Partners for Justice for My Sister

Project Report | Jan 23, 2023
Gratitude from PA Graduate Ashante

By Ashante Weir | PA Certification Graduate

Mentor David on set with PA participant Ashante

Dear Donors,

Thank you for your generous contribution. I am one of the 31 one participants of the Justice for My Sister PA Certification Program. Your contribution to the program has helped many of us not only learn the Production Assistant work ethic but it has created a stronger diverse workforce within the film industry.

I am proud to share my personal experience with Justice for My Sister PA certification program. While entering this program I had no idea what to expect with my lack of understanding and experience within the film industry, but I would not have wanted to be a part of any other non profit organization. Since joining, I learned so much plus more about the film industry that I was completely unaware of. I was fortunate enough to work on set as a Production Assistant alongside many of the staff in the organization. Everyone that I’ve met no matter what position they were in or how much experience they had, were the most humble yet knowledgeable people. Everyone is welcoming and patient with you which is great because you learn so much from just being around each other and they make you feel comfortable enough to ask whatever questions you may have. This organization is also the most inclusive organization that I am aware of. Kimberly, Sandra and David are such amazing and wise human beings, being able to watch them work was the best part for me because I look forward to my future self having the same skills and wisdom as they have. I would recommend anyone who not only is interested in the film industry but also who would like to build their skillset and feel a part of a community to be a part of Justice for my sister. It truly lives up to and above its purpose. I will always appreciate my experience with Justice for My Sister and Kimberly Bautista.

Since landing my first few PA gigs with Justice for My Sister, I wrote and directed a short film by myself titled Odyssey. I recently had a fashion stylist internship which went really well and I was able to be on set for a few music videos. I’ve also decided I want to give acting a try but before I take that step I thought I'd take a dance class to help myself become more confident and in tune with my body. I love the film industry so much and I am still figuring out what my purpose is within it, so in the meantime I will continue to have an open mind and try out whatever opportunities I run into.

Mentor Kimberly on set with Ashante

Crew for documentary shoot

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Sep 23, 2022
Programs Assistant, Reporting in for PA Certification Program

By Julissa Villatoro | Programs Assistant

Participants and friends at PA Certification mixer

Dear kind Donors,

I’m the Programs Assistant for Justice for My Sister, and I’m proud to share the latest update on the PA Certification Program. Because of everyone’s generosity, we were able to give life-changing experiences and job opportunities for filmmakers and artists from our communities that have been historically under-served and underrepresented. We couldn’t have done it without your continued support!

Over the summer we wrapped Phase 1 of the program, having brought on 31 participants with opportunities to practice skills while giving them paid job opportunities to add to their resumes to move up the ladder and find success as artists. We were able to bring on professionals from the TV/Film industry to share their expertise with our students, and partake in discussions fostered by our trauma-informed practice. I felt the cohort's care and support with every session, even while being on the virtual format of the workshops. Since then, two of our participants have gone on to find work with one of our guest speakers, Moises Zamora, creator of Netflix’s Selena: The Series. We paid stipends for 10 of our participants to get on-the-job training on 5 BIPOC-led productions who share aligned values with JFMS. We also fast-tracked 4 of the participants to Warner Brothers’ Access to Action program, where they will no doubt be continuing to receive extensive training in TV and Film production. Another participant was also recently recruited to a studio production of the drama series Snowfall.

At the end of the program, the camaraderie and gratitude we felt could not be contained in the virtual space, so we hosted a mixer at the lovely Cafe de Leche Cafe to commemorate the job well done completing Phase 1. We accomplished so much, with participants expressing glowing feedback about the program thus far. Alix A., one of the graduates, said, “I had such an amazing time on set and JFMS has been so helpful and supportive of my endeavors. I truly believe everything that comes my way after this is all thanks to this brilliant program and the work you do.” Another graduate, Bree S. said, “This program was INCREDIBLY impactful to hear the perspectives of other BIPOC in the industry…I'm glad to have gotten the good, bad, ugly, and beautiful so that I can have a realistic plan of action.”

We are now entering Phase 2, where JFMS will bring a more hands-on training curriculum that will give the participants the chance to prep a camera package and run their own set.

Your continued support will make it possible for us to continue bringing more creators of color into the fold. We’re proud of our PA cohort, and we’re proud of our JFMS community, and we are so grateful you are a part of it. Your donations and support show the participants the love, care, and appreciation for their hard work and dedication to flourish their careers in the arts. Let them know we’ll always be cheering them on!

If you have a need for crew, please email me at programs@justiceformysister.org and I’m happy to send you the contact information and resumés of our vetted graduates.

¡Unidos para siempre!

Mentor David with graduate Michelle

Alix on the set for El Paisa

Mentor Kimberly with PA Ashante on set

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May 30, 2022
Welcoming the inaugural cohort of the PA Certification Program!

By Sully Bautista | Communications Coordinator

PA Certification Program

Dearest donor,

Thank you for your generous support on this campaign. Justice for My Sister is ecstatic to announce that we have launched the inaugural cohort of the PA Certification Program! Earlier this month, we welcomed 31 filmmakers of color into the JFMS community. Our Fellows are passionate and dedicated to entering the film industry and gaining hands-on production experience to begin their career in this field.

Fellows of the PA Certification Program will partake in an 8-week lecture series followed by job placement opportunities for those who are located in the greater Los Angeles area. The program hopes to fill the gap in behind-the-scenes representation and equip more people of color with the experience to take up space in the industry.

Graduates from Justice for My Sister’s PA Certification Program will go on to obtain crew positions on JFMS-produced content, as well as positions on networks such as WarnerMedia and production companies such as Blumhouse Productions. Some Fellows have even begun their production experience and will be joining Kimberly Bautista, our Founder and Executive Director, as PAs for her newest short film currently in production in Los Angeles.

Without your support, Justice for My Sister would not have been able to launch this one-of-a-kind program and expand our network to 31 new Fellows!

2022 Production Assistant Certification Program Inaugural Cohort

Alexandra

Michelle

Catherine

Eduardo

Desiree

Sannii

Tavia

Jazmin

Carmen

Cristina

Andy

Jenn

Shanelle

Christian

Marissa

Dominique

Trevaughn

Marlene

Melba

Mercedes

Lupe

Mel

Imani

Arnold

Bree

Melissa

Elizabeth

Steph

Ashante

Efrain

Luis

Please visit the Justice for My Sister website in the coming days to read up on our new fellows!

Links:

http://www.justiceformysister.org

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