Category Archives: MMPA Oscar Week Luncheon
Student Filmmakers Finalists Announced for 19th Annual MMPA Oscar Week Student Filmmaker’s Scholarship Luncheon and Awards
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Monday, February 20, 2012
Student Filmmakers Finalists Announced for 19thAnnual MMPA Oscar Week Student Filmmaker’s Scholarship Luncheon and Awards.
Beverly Hills, CA — Monday, February 20, 2012 The Multicultural Motion Picture Association announced the 7 student filmmaker’s finalists have been selected from The Los Angeles Film School for the upcoming the 19th Annual MMPA Oscar Week Student Filmmaker’s Scholarship Luncheon and Civic Awards.
The event will be held at prestigious and luxury Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles located at 8555 Beverly Boulevard in Beverly Hills, CA 90048 on Friday, February 24, 2012, from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm. The event will feature live entertainment performance by Recording Artist Izzy Chait and Band, a red carpet, scholarship and civic awards presentation, lunch and official gift bags.
As a part of the annual afternoon affair, awards are presented annually, to filmmakers selected fortheir creative achievements, vision and technical talent, and in addition to financial awards toward their tuition, film companies traditionally arrangegifts of technical support for scholarship recipients.
A dual purpose in recognizing these outstanding individuals is the ability to benefit the Multicultural Motion Picture Association’s Educational and Development Scholarship Fund. This fund was established by our Executive Committee as ameans of helping underprivileged students seeking entry into the film and television professions, develop and foster quality education, leadership, and talent.
The scholarship committee funds and matches students with mentors at production companies, trade guilds, and with directors, as they gain further knowledge and entry into their chosen disciplines in the motion picture industry. The MMPA utilizes committed individuals who bring their skills and commitment to schools, as well as youth and civic organizations, where teens and young adults need career mentoring, coupled with equipment and technical support.
Some of the invited guests for the afternoon are 2012 Oscar Nominees Viola Davis & Octavia Spencer, Academy Award Winner Louis Gossett Jr., Academy Award Nominee Sally Kirkland, Actress Bai Ling, Producer Elaina Archer, Actress/Acting coach Bobbie Chance, Photographer/Filmmaker Kami Zargham McAdam and many 2012 Oscar Nominees and various celebrities will be on hand to support the young upcoming student filmmakers.
Here are some blurs of what students wrote when applying for the scholarship:
“When people ask me “why I chose a career in filmmaking”, I can only smile. Because one day, like Picasso or Shakespeare, I know they’ll be able to look at me and see the real answer; this is simply just what I do.”
-Anthony Mitchell
“I want my films to be just as empowering if not more. I express myself visually, and I want to beable to benefit people through experiencing films I create. I want to be mentioned with the great filmmakers of my generation. I want to be able to impact the world in a positive way through my expressions on screen. I want my work to speak for itself.”
-William Rouse
“Even now, as a film student, there is one thing I regret. I regret not knowing what I wanted to do sooner and regret not pursuing film after graduating from High School. Wasted 4 years in a Business College, when I could’ve been done with film school and started on my first feature film. However, even though I’m late from realizing my passion, I am rather late in knowing that I want to be a Director than not knowing at all.”
-Long “Yoshi” Tran
“There is a story to be told, a way to go about doing it, and the proper time and place for it to be heard. I wholeheartedly believe that it is my job as a filmmaker and human being to tell that story in the richest and most provocative form imaginable.”
-Daemon Stashko
“Coming from a town of 300 people, and a high school in a town of 5000, it should be fairly apparent that I did not get much diversity. It issafe to say that making such a drastic change in setting was a little nerve-racking at first, but after learning how this city works I can say with confidence that diversity is my favorite thing about Los Angeles. I may not be the typical Hollywood film student, but I think my background gives me an advantage since I know how to work harder than most people. I believe that I add a lot of diversity to the melting pot that is Hollywood.”
- Joey Schmitz
“As a kid, films caught my attention and have always felt connected with them. It was and still is an art that I am very eager to perfect. Great filmmakers are the ones who put the full amount of effort toperfect their craft and that is what we, as a team, plan on doing to becomesome of the world’s best Filmmakers.”
- Justin Benson
“As a younger growing up, I was always interpreted in television and motion picture and how it was been produced. I am happy to be in film school fulfilling my dreams. I hope one day to become a successful filmmaker and give back to other up and coming young filmmaker students.”
- Jamel Benson
The prestigious organization of actors, cinematographers, editors, writers, and directors has in the past played host to an array of celebrities and nominees from Salma Hayek,Robert DeNiro, Kate Winslet and Djimon Hounsou to Sandra Bullock, Denzel Washington, and Leonardo DiCaprio among others. The luncheon is always anticipated and remembered for its spontaneous surprises of high-profile guests and the goodwill shared among colleagues, coming out insupport of talented emerging artists.
Previous year honorees were Oscar Winner Sandra Bullock, Academy Award Winner Louis Gossett Jr., Oscar Nominee Ruby Dee, Academy Nominee Sally Kirkland, Kate Linder (Actress, Philanthropist), Renee’ Valente (Producer, Valente Productions), Michelle Phillips (Actress, Singer) and A.C. Lyles (Paramount Pictures).
The MMPA is encouraging 2012 Academy Award nominees, past and present to come out in full force to support the 19th Annual MMPA Oscar Week Student Filmmaker’s Scholarship Luncheon and Awards.
The Student Filmmaker’s Finalists Are:
William Rouse
Justin Benson
Jamel Benson
Anthony Mitchell
Daemon Stashko
Yoshi Tran
Joseph Schmitz
WHERE: Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles
8555 Beverly Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90048
WHEN: Friday, February 24, 2012
11:00 am – Media Check-In
11:30 am – Red Carpet Arrivals
12:00 pm – Luncheon & Awards
GENERAL TICKETS: Limited amount of tickets are available for sale from $150 and Up purchase them online at http://thediversityawards.org/
PRESS/MEDIA: For Red Carpet Access Only, Contact: Alex Leon at World Wide Vital Marketing Public Relations email: worldwidevitalpr@gmail.com and For Red Carpet Access & Seated Lunch Contact: Steven Escobar at diversitynews@hotmail.com
The Annual MMPA Oscar Week Student Filmmaker’s Scholarship Luncheon and Civic Awards is a production of The Multicultural Motion Picture Association. Jarvee Hutcherson is the President of The Multicultural Motion Picture Association.
Event sponsors include American Society of Young Musicians, Sofitel LA Luxury Hotels, WTV Networks, World Wide Vital Marketing and Public Relations, Diversity News Magazine, A&G Entertainment Productions, Hot Talk LA, Rose Breast Cancer Society, Sherwood Florist and Lamborghini Gold Champagne and many more.
About The Multicultural Motion Picture Association:
The MMPA is a 501 © 3 non-profit arts organization that provides scholarships annually to a certain number of qualified film students and trade guild apprentices who have shown dedication and talent for furthering their studies in the cinematic arts. The MMPA’s annual Oscar Week Luncheon is always a highly anticipated afternoon event amid sumptuous mid-day dining where talented young filmmakers intermingle with Academy Award® nominees and studio executives. The MMPA utilizes committedindividuals who bring their skills and commitment to schools, as well as youth and civic organizations, where teens and young adults need career mentoring, coupled with equipment and technical support. The Multicultural Motion Picture Association is also the producer of the Diversity Awards. For more information visit http://www.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alex Leon, Director of Marketing & PR
Steven Escobar, Media Liaison
World Wide Vital Marketing & Public Relations Inc.
http://worldwidevitalpr.
TEL: (213) 321-9408
Brad Daly, Media Relations Director
Multicultural Motion PictureAssociation
TEL: (310) 358-8300
Recording Artist Izzy Chait and Band To Perform at 19th Annual MMPA Oscar Week Student Filmmaker’s Scholarship Luncheon and Civic Awards
Beverly Hills, CA — Saturday, February 18, 2012 The Multicultural Motion Picture Association announced that Recording Artist Izzy Chait and Band To Perform at 19th Annual MMPA Oscar Week Student Filmmaker’s Scholarship Luncheon and Awards on Friday, February 24, 2012.
Izzy Chait has loved jazz and pop standards throughout his life. In his wide-ranging musical career, he has infused vintage standards, pop tunes and inspirational songs with his own strong musical personality, updating the music without changing its original intent, showing listeners a good time while also making them think. “I love to be able to deliver a message to an audience and really get to them,” says the singer. Whether in his live performances or in his growing body of work as a recording artist, Izzy is making a major impact.
Between his two careers, Izzy Chait stays quite busy. Occasionally his roles overlap, as on a recent trip toChina. While conducting an antique roadshow as an appraiser and an auctioneer, when it was discovered that he was a vocalist, he was asked to sing a number a capella. Izzy spontaneously sang the 1929 song “You Were Meant For Me” and, since the program was being televised, his performance was seen by an estimated audience of 30 million viewers.
“I am 65. In the next 10-15 years I want to record as many albums as possible. I find that when people hear a song and really understand the significance of the lyrics, it creates an effect and a change in their life, and the change is unkillable. It is my goal to make that happen often.” said Izzy Chait, Recording Artist.
Izzy Chait is making a difference in his career, combining positive messages with swinging and soulful music.
As a part of the annual afternoon affair, awards are presented annually, to filmmakers selected for their creative achievements, vision and technical talent, and in addition to financial awards toward their tuition, film companies traditionally arrange gifts of technical support for scholarship recipients.
The prestigious organization of actors, cinematographers, editors, writers, and directors has in the past played host to an array of celebrities and nominees from Salma Hayek, Robert DeNiro, Kate Winslet and Djimon Hounsou to Sandra Bullock, Denzel Washington, and Leonardo DiCaprio among others. The luncheon is always anticipated and remembered for its spontaneous surprises of high-profile guests and the goodwill shared among colleagues, coming out in support of talented emerging artists.
Previous year honorees were Oscar Winner Sandra Bullock, Oscar Award Winner Louis Gossett Jr., Oscar Nominee Ruby Dee, Oscar Nominee Sally Kirkland, Kate Linder (Actress, Philanthropist), Renee’ Valente (Producer, Valente Productions), Michelle Phillips (Actress, Singer) and A.C. Lyles (Paramount Pictures).
The MMPA is encouraging 2012 Academy Award nominees, past and present to come out in full force to support the 19th Annual MMPA Oscar Week Student Filmmaker’s Scholarship Luncheon and Awards.
GENERAL TICKETS: Limited amount of tickets are available for sale from $150 and Up purchase them online at http://thediversityawards.org/
PRESS/MEDIA: For Red Carpet Access Only, Contact: Alex Leon at World Wide Vital Marketing Public Relations email: worldwidevitalpr@gmail.com and For Red Carpet Access & Seated Lunch Contact: Steven Escobar at diversitynews@hotmail.com
About The Multicultural Motion Picture Association:
The MMPA is a 501 © 3 non-profit arts organization that provides scholarships annually to a certain number of qualified film students and trade guild apprentices who have shown dedication and talent for furthering their studies in the cinematic arts. The MMPA’s annual Oscar Week Luncheon is always a highly anticipated afternoon event amid sumptuous mid-day dining where talented young filmmakers intermingle with Academy Award® nominees and studio executives. The MMPA utilizes committed individuals who bring their skills and commitment to schools, as well as youth and civic organizations, where teens and young adults need career mentoring, coupled with equipment and technical support. The Multicultural Motion Picture Association is also the producer of the Diversity Awards. For more information visit http://www.thediversityawards.org
