National Geographic Society

On Thursday, the students of the American Indian Summer Institute spent the day shooting "PSAs" (Public Service Announcements). The students worked in three teams of 7-8 students, each of which were assigned production mentors from Hollywood to assist in the shoot. One notable mentor was Chuck Banner of BannerCaswell Productions, a production and post-production studio specializing in cable television and private network content. His team got the opportunity to shoot in his production house, while the other two teams shot around the UCLA campus. These two teams worked hard throughout the entire day, utilizing as much daylight as possible for their outdoor shoot. The BannerCaswell team worked into the wee hours of the morning, shooting with a green screen and recording a rap to go with their PSA.

Two student teams shooting around the UCLA Campus.

The BannerCaswell team, shooting in front of a green screen.

The students spent Friday editing their footage into a final 30-second cut. One student from each team worked closely with an editor, while the others got a tour of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and heard a presentation from the Indigenous Language Institute, which encapsulated the week's media training by highlighting the importance of incorporating Native language into the students' future media works.

Later, Friday evening, the students celebrated the completion of the week's training by attending a spectacular dinner and reception, hosted by Fox Entertainment and the National Geographic All Roads Film Project. The dinner featured a preview screening of the final PSAs to an audience of Fox executives and National Geographic VIPs, and all of the students received certificates of completion.

Students receiving their certificates of completion from Fox Studios.

On Saturday, the week wrapped up with an amazing screening of new films for the All Roads International Film Showcase.

Congratulations to the students for completing the rigorous but fun week of training and workshops. Check back tomorrow for a re-cap of the International Showcase!

Article by Claire Ensslin

Yesterday at the American Indian Summer Institute, the students spent the day at Fox Studios. Presenters Marsha Cole and Kevin Considine shared valuable insight about working in Hollywood, and later that day, the students attended the WGAW (Writer's Guild of America, West) Reading Series, presented by the WGAW American Indian Writers Committee and the Fox American Indian Summer Institute.

Marsha Cole, one of the presenters, is a sought-after motivational speaker and trainer for youth career preparation, who began her own career in the entertainment industry at the age of seventeen. "We need to prepare our youth for careers and provide them with the necessary tools to compete in the marketplace," she says.

Kevin Considine, another presenter, founded Hollywood CPR, a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 © (3) organization, in 1997. He was inspired by the arts, which helped him break through the walls erected by academia and led him to a successful career in the entertainment industry.

The American Indian Writer's Committee, who hosted the reading series, represents the professional and creative interests of American Indian writers. It works to mentor, encourage, empower and increase the visibility and employment of writers of American Indian heritage. The series featured staged readings of short scenes from unproduced screenplays or teleplays by WGA members.

Here's what the students had to say:

"I learned that you have to be very enthusiastic, really believe in your project, and that you can't be shy. At times I was being the typical Native, holding myself back, but I learned today that I need to push myself."
-Carey Tully

"The most exciting part of coming here to Fox today was getting to know the writers...They shared [their knowledge of] how things happen in Hollywood and this gave me a better perspective for how to approach what I eventually want to do."
-Kelly McCabe

"Today has changed my whole perspective...it's been a great opportunity to hear the insight of these professionals in their fields...so far [the program] has surpassed any expectations that I had...they keep us really busy."
-Dietrich Wilke

The week will end with an amazing showcase of new International films hosted by the National Geographic All Roads Film Project. Buy your tickets today!

Check back daily for more updates on this exciting program!

Article by Claire Ensslin

A top writer for National Geographic Magazine in France and an independent filmmaker, Sylvie Brieu has been covering cultural diversity issues and minority rights for 17 years, and her articles have been translated into multiple languages.

Born in southern France, Sylvie was exposed to different cultural backgrounds and ways of thinking at a young age. She was raised in a family that was closely connected to the land and spoke Occitan, an endangered romance language.

At the University of Paris-Sorbonne and UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, Sylvie earned degrees in modern languages, international relations, and journalism. She also developed a passion for Maya Hieroglyphics writing and now speaks six languages.

Sylvie began her career in 1992 as a socially-engaged documentary filmmaker and a TV reporter in California, where she hosted a news program. A few years later, she was elected to chair an international network of young journalists. She led two groups of professionals from five continents to Central and South America on a summer university tour that emphasized "freedom of expression and human rights." As head of the network, she also moderated a seminar in Thailand on "cultural and religious pluralism," which was attended by more than 200 participants from 86 countries.

As a young explorer, international reporter and a senior editor Sylvie has traveled all over the world - including trips to Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Easter Island, Ecuador, Mexico, Madagascar, South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe. Recently, her research efforts have taken her on a solo journey from the Andes to the Amazon, where she lived with seven different tribes in some of the most troubled areas.

Her investigations have raised awareness about the plight of some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, highlighting their creative initiatives to fight for their environment, their cultures and their lives.

In recognition of her inspiring work, she was granted the UNESCO CNF's patronage in 2008 for a long-term project with indigenous communities worldwide.

Now, she is a member of the All Roads Film Project's Film Advisory Board.

Congratulations, Sylvie!

Article by Claire Ensslin