Roll the Cameras: The Dr. BSH Foundation May Film Workshop

 

On Saturday, May 15th our organization was fortunate enough to have a panel of incredibly talented producers talk to our students and staff about their career in the Entertainment Industry. We were joined by Judy Cairo, who is most known for her production of Hysteria and Stuck in Love, just to name a few. As well as, Gretchen Enders a Producer and WGA Award-winning writer, and Derek Kolstad is the writer/creator of the JOHN WICK franchise. 

Our students were joined by our panelists through a Zoom workshop where they discussed their career, asked questions and learned some helpful tips that will last them well into their entertainment careers.

One student, Isabella Ferrucci says, “the best part about the workshop is hearing from the amazing speakers … It’s a source of inspiration for me.” The Zoom Workshops are welcome to all young teens. Whether you want to have a career in the entertainment industry or are just thinking about it, The Dr. BSH Foundation wants all kids to learn about different career paths. 

Another student who joined us for our workshop said, “The Barbara Senior Harkins Foundation has helped me immensely on my exploration and planning for future careers,” said Melody Borja Khalaf. Melody talked to us about how her plan all along was to have a career in animation, but it wasn’t until she went through this program and joined some workshops that she found a new passion for storyboarding and plans to pursue this as a career. 

Another successful workshop at The Dr. BSH Foundation for us means we are connecting our students with successful industry workers and expanding their mind to different career opportunities. Being accompanied by Judy Cairo, Gretchen Enders and Derek Kolstad was a tremendous honor for our organization and we look forward to hosting them again along with many others! 

Thank you to our wonderful students and staff that joined us for our film workshop. We enjoy seeing our students getting a better understanding of the industry as well as getting to interact with one another as best as we can during this time. 

 We must invest in our children “We know better. Make time. Do better.” -Dr. Barbara Harkins

Lockdown Script Writing Contest is Back for the 2021 Year!

 

Since the year 2000 the Dr. BSH Foundation realized that by working together we could accomplish and overcome many challenges. That is why our organization decided to launch the Dr. Barbra Seniors Harkins Foundation-Lockdown Script Contest. We believe that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives. Our organization works relentlessly to provide young teens a place to express their creativity. 

This year, we hope to inspire young teens to put their creativity to the test and join our contest. The top three finalists for the contest will receive a Nextbook 7″ Tablet with 8GB tablets. All you have to do is review the guidelines and register. The Dr. BSH Foundation does not want to limit this amazing opportunity to just our students so any teen from the ages 11-17 is strongly encouraged to apply! 

Once you are registered the next part is all up to you and your creativity. So, get busy writing and complete your screenplay by June 5, 2021. You can send your writing in and our judges will review your work! 

 Our judges will get busy reading your submissions and the top three finalists will be announced on June 21, 2021. 

 The Dr. BSH Foundation believes in helping students reach their full potential. We are so excited to read your submissions! If there are any questions regarding requirements or submissions feel free to contact programs@barbaraseniorsharkinsfoundation.org and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We must invest in our children. 

                    “We know better. Make time. Do better.” -Dr. Barbara Harkins

The Dr. Barbara Seniors Harkins Foundation Scholarship (Florida)

 

Dr. Harkins believed in equal opportunity and education for all students. After recognizing the flaws and lack of caring for these students in the school system, Dr. Harkins knew a change had to be made. Dr. Harkins devoted her life to the Dade County Public Schools and bettering the conditions in the schools, as well as, bettering the lives of the students. 

This year a $250 scholarship will be awarded to one high school senior from the South Dade area. The student must meet the following criteria:

 A cumulative 2.5 or above grade point average. 

• Have been accepted by a junior college or four-year university. 

• An active member of their community, volunteer, involved in church activities. 

If you meet the criteria above, please visit our website to download the application.

https://barbaraseniorsharkinsfoundation.org/programs/#scholarship

Dr. BSH Foundation Welcomes Entertainment Experts To a Lunch and Chat- Filmmaking Workshop with our Young Teens

 

There is no doubt that within this past year we have spent most of our time watching movies and tv shows. We thought, there is no better way to build off of what most of our students have spent their time doing during quarantine, than to introduce them to those filmmakers themselves. The Dr. BSH Foundation, held a virtual filmmaking workshop on April 17th and heard from experts that work as Directors of Photography and Cinematographers of film, television and commercials. 

This past Saturday our students were able to have lunch, hangout and ask questions with our panelists over Zoom. We believe in maintaining safety and following protocols when it comes to our workshops, so our Zoom breakout rooms give the students the opportunity to make the workshop more personal! The panelists spent the day talking about how they got started in their career, upcoming projects and the creative challenges they have faced during the pandemic. 

Like many, our panelists expressed their hardships of finding ways to be creative and still create films or documentaries during the pandemic. With restrictions and social distancing it became hard to be out in the field filming and doing what you love. One panelist gave tips to our student’s on how he kept creativity alive while being safe and following Covid protocols. 

Whether it was discussing the challenges that the pandemic brought or how to persevere through the challenges a career in the arts can bring. The students and our staff did keep it fun and lighthearted! The Dr. BSH Foundation strives to go above and beyond for our students, but all are welcome to join our virtual workshops and get the opportunity to meet experts in the arts. 

Thank you again to our panelists and staff members for making this event such a success. To our students, thank you and we look forward to seeing you again at our next workshop! For more information please email us at Programs@barbaraseniorsharkingfoundation.org We must invest in our children. 

 “We know better. Make time. Do better.” -Dr. Barbara Harkins

April Film Workshop: Spotlighting Cinematographers!!!!!

 

This month’s workshop will spotlight: Director of Photographers/Cinematographers from: Television, Film, Music Videos and Commercials. Our workshop will be on Saturday, April 17, 2021, from 10:00am-12:00pm. We will announce the panelists at a later date. This workshop is open to youth ages, 11-17. This is a free event that we will be presenting once a month online. If you are interested in attending, please do the following: Register at: https://forms.gle/rDxdbGanianv6hLt6 We will be giving our Ten Starbucks Giftcards to the First Ten Students that sign-up!!!!!!! For More Information, email the foundation.

March Film Workshop A “BIG,”SUCCESS!’

March Film Screening brought back an “Oldie but Goodie film,” “The Goonies.” Over 40 young filmmakers had the opportunity to attend the special screening of the film. Since this was the Film Program’s one year anniversary, GameStop Gift Cards were awarded to: five filmmakers who signed-up early to attend the screening, plus there were Target Gift-Cards awarded to the winners of the Film Trivia! For more info about our workshops, events, programs and camps visit our website www.barbaraseniorsharkinsfoundation.org

The Dr. Barbara Senior Harkins Foundation Held Fifth Annual Filmmaking Workshop for Young Teens (March 2021)

Here at the Dr. BSH Foundation strives to educate and motivate our students to pursue a level of higher education after high school. Our foundation goes beyond the traditional classroom learning. Educating our young teens through experiences, even during the time of Covid-19 is what is most important to us. That is why we brought our annual filmmaking workshop virtual. On Saturday, March 20 our organization welcomed industry professionals from the entertainment community to speak with young individuals with a passion for casting! 

We were joined by experts in television writing, producing, directing and film editing. The virtual workshop allowed for our students and young teens to be broken up into various breakout rooms on Zoom to have smaller group discussions with our industry experts. 

In the various rooms our panelists discussed how they began their careers, what they’ve accomplished and tips for the students to work on in the upcoming years so they too can be successful in the entertainment industry. 

The afternoon was filled with helpful tips and tricks for our students but it wasn’t all serious! Our guest speakers talked TikToK with our teens and how different social media apps can be helpful when it comes to casting or getting practice with directing and film editing. 

We had yet another successful Filmmaking Workshop and from everyone at Dr. BSH Foundation we want to thank our students and panelists for joining us! Below you will see the list of our panelist and short background of the many accomplishments they have within the industry. 

GUEST SPEAKERS:    

Music Supervisors & Composers: 

 ● Alex Kovacs: Emmy nominated composer has worked on various projects throughout Los Angeles, CA. His work can be heard throughout projects in connections with Marvel, Disney, Universal, Netflix, OWN and HBO. Alex’s most recent work can be heard in the hit Marvel series WandaVision airing on Disney+. 

● Jermaine Stegall: With over 50 projects to his credit, Stegall is a versatile and accomplished composer and director. He conducted a live orchestra alongside singer Tori Kelly at the 2019 ESPY Awards and the orchestra for Camilla Cabello’s performance at the American Music Awards a year prior. 

 ● Rob Lowry: Los Angeles Music Supervisor for Film, Television and Advertising. As one of the top tier supervisors for music and shows he was nominated for a Guild of Music Supervisors Award for his music supervision work on The Intervention in 2017. 

 ● Joe Wong: As a composer, his projects range from Emmy-winning series Russian Doll and Master Of None; to critically lauded The Midnight Gospel, beloved hit YA film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Joe’s debut solo album, the psychedelic, orchestral Nite Creatures, was released to acclaim by Decca/Universal in 2020. 

● Ryan Leach: An award-winning composer for Film and TV, his music has been heard on every major network and clients include Disney, The California Lottery, MTV, Lowe’s and Rainn Wilson’s SoulPancake. 

Television  Editing: 

 ● Felicia Mignon Livingston: While working as a Post Production Assistant, she gained experience and technical skills about the filmmaking process. This led to working on the Disney channel show, Lizzie McGuire, that Felicia got the opportunity to join the Motion Picture Editors Guild as an assistant editor. From there, she expanded her on-the-job education working as an assistant editor on various shows such as Smallville, Hawaii Five-0, American Crime, and Supergirl. 

● Jacqueline Basse: As an editor in New York City, her eight year career in post production has had her working for Netflix, HBO, Travel Channel, and Investigation Discovery. She has worked as an assistant editor on Spike Lee’s Netflix series adaptation of his first film, She’s Gotta Have It, Joris-Peyrafitte’s feature film Dreamland, and is currently assisting on Gossip Girl for HBOMax. 

 Film Editing: 

 ● Michelle Harrison: most recently known for To All the Boys: Always and Forever, and You Get Me on Netflix, as well as AFTER, which was the winner of the People’s Choice Awards for Best Drama and Teen Choice Award for Best Drama in 2019. TV series she has worked on include Tell Me A Story on CBS All Access, Channel Zero on SyFy, Fishing Pono on PBS, and 14 Women on the Sundance Channel. 

 Director/Producer: 

 ● Sarah El Khawand: now a Director and Senior Producer for Mamag Studios which was celebrated as 2019’s Fourth Fastest Growing Agency by Adweek and one of the Top Storytellers to Watch in 2020 by Variety Magazine. She recently produced XZBIT’s music video WAR. And directed two music videos for Rapper and Instagrammer CANDY KEN. 

 Actor/Director: 

 ● Jillian Clare: Miss Clare produced her first short film, Advent, which she is also starred in. Advent will be the first in a series of short and feature films that Jillian plans to produce under her production company, Whimsical Entertainment. The film was a Finalist at the 2016 USA Film Festival Short Film Competition and an Official Selection at the 2016 Great Lakes International Film Festival. Most recently, Jillian stepped behind the camera for her directorial debut on the feature film To The Beat! Jillian once again stepped behind the camera for the sequel To The Beat! Back 2 School, making her one of the only women to direct both films in a series. The film was released in March 2020. 

● Sade Clacken Joseph: As a writer, director, shooter and editor she is a genuine storyteller with a dedication for shining a light on underrepresented groups. Her film Knight (2018) was the first narrative film produced by Spotify via their Black Girl Magic platform. Her documentary work on Common’s Hope and Redemption Prison Tour has been featured on VICE, Variety, and Rolling Stone. Her short film Ponyboi, which she produced and directed with River Gallo, recently premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival where it was named one of the “Five not to be missed short films” by Forbes. 

 Writer: 

● Benjamin Kasulke: an award-winning Director and Director of Photography, whose work has screened at multiple film festivals including Toronto, Berlin, Sundance, and Cannes Film Festival Directors Fortnight. His feature film work has been released by A24, IFC Films, Magnolia Pictures, Film District, and The Criterion Collection. He is also a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Cinematography branch, having worked with filmmakers including Lynn Shelton, Guy Maddin, Greta Gerwig, Joe Swanberg, and The Duplass Brothers. 

 ● Kyle Lau: A director, writer and producer in Los Angeles, CA, he has projects featured in the indie film festival circuit, as well as content for RedBull, Jack Daniel’s, 20th Century Fox, UCLA and more. He currently writes on Comedy Central’s AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS. 

 Foley Artist: 

● Alex Ulrich: He feels lucky to have been working in a field that allows him to utilize his skills and talents in a wide variety of genres: feature films, short films, TV, commercials and animation. Alex is known for his work on The Hurt Locker (2008), Zero Dark Thirty (2012), Oz the great and Powerful (2013) and San Andreas (2015).