Hollywood has a Heart
by Susanna DeSimone

Evelyn and Vivienne are 17 year-old twin sisters who both suffer from life threatening illnesses and find school isolating because they are different from the other kids.  Thanks to a film workshop put on by Hollywood Heart, a non-profit organization, Evelyn and Vivenne found an outlet for self expression.  When asked about the difference the film workshop made in her life, Evelyn laughs and says, “Now I want to be an actress.”

Evelyn and Vivienne are examples of the type of youth that Hollywood Heart aims to reach through their film workshops known as the “Movie Team,” where they equip underprivileged and terminally ill youth with the art of expression through film.  Their vision is to “bring hope, education, art, recreation, and teamwork” to youth who otherwise would not have this opportunity.

David Gale, Executive Vice President of MTV New Media and Specialty Films Division, founded the organization in 1995, which began as a summer camp for youth impacted with HIV/AIDS called Camp Pacific Heartland. Their newest initiative, Camp Hollywood HEART is an arts intensive camp for the older youth that have graduated from the Camp Pacific Heartland Program.

Based on the runaway success of the movie making class, Executive Director Lisa Cavanaugh realized the beneficial impact of equipping youth with the visual expression of film, and in 2002 formed the Movie Team sector of Hollywood Heart.  Today Hollywood HEART has made over 50 Movie Team films with youth from around the world.

The Movie Team volunteers are professionals in the film industry, who donate their time to teach children how to write scripts, create storyboards, design wardrobe, and shoot their own films. The movies are then often premiered at Hollywood studios, which provide screening rooms.

Hollywood HEART brings their film workshops to partnering organizations such as School on Wheels, L.A. Family Housing, the Boys and Girls Club, and CoachArt. The Movie Team has also expanded its horizons and brought self-expression to at-risk youth in Cape Town, South Africa.   Their newest project is to work with some very deserving youth in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the spring of 2009.

Program and Marketing director, Christine Rodriguez says, “Seeing the shy and quiet kids transform from barely speaking at the beginning of the program to becoming confident and excited to see themselves on film,” is the best part of being involved with Hollywood HEART.

For more information about Hollywood Heart, or to find out how to volunteer contact info@hollywoodheart.org or visit www.hollywoodheart.org

AIDS, camp pacific heartland, christine rodriguez, HIV, Hollywood Heart, lisa cavanaugh, vision