New non profit empowers local youth through film

30th March 2015   ·   0 Comments

By Kelly Parker
Contributing Writer

Unlike many kids on a warm sunny Saturday, young 7th graders from Behrman Charter and McDonogh 32 Literacy Charter Schools were spending part of the early afternoon working indoors: inside a Harahan production studio, to be specific.

On March 21, the young filmmakers, donning black sweatshirts with the word ACTION appropriately placed in a callout graphic were at The Nims Media Center- a division of the New Orleans University Foundation.

The energetic group took on the roles of director, boom operator and other technical positions alongside mentors and film professionals for their first PSA, thanks to the COOL Cooperative.

The new nonprofit organization consists of a team of dedicated passionate business leaders, parents and visionaries committed to making an impact on the lives of local youth, by providing hands-on training in the film and entertainment industry to provide them with the knowledge and resources to lead successful lives.

The organization provides a six-year-long after-school enrichment program for high potential seventh through 12th-graders from low-opportunity environments to enable them to go on to higher learning and into careers in the film industry. The plan is to add on another grade each year after.

The (Personal Development) approach the organization focuses on is known as the “FACES” philosophy: Family First-Aptitude for Film-Community Service Learning-Education and Self.

“We just started in September and 17 students regularly are enrolled in the program,” says COOL Cooperative Development Director Teresa Bass.

“The program takes place 4 days a week,” she adds. “The kids want to come five days a week. They love coming to class.”

Ten students took part in last Saturday’s production.

The shoot was the culmination of many enrichment activities the kids have had throughout the year. They have been introduced to cameras, makeup, costumes, basic lighting, storytelling, acting, improvisation, and many other aspects of film and now, instead of simply visiting a set and watching, they each play a vital role.

The PSAs will initially air on both television and radio throughout Louisiana by way of Our TV Group on Thought Network Broadcasting Television run by Ron Nelson who, was positively impacted and inspired during his youth by learning film and television.

“I found out about the program and wanted to get involved- I thought it was pretty cool,” says Nelson. “I learned about production through church when I was 13 and I fell in love with it. Of course any chance to teach kids about film; I want to be a part of. It’s never too early to get them involved; the earlier, the better.”

“It’s wonderful to see so many talented people in the film industry coming together, donating their time, and offering their services,” said the COOL Cooperative Founder and Board President, Felicia Stallard. “They may not see the life changing impact their support is having, but those of us who are in the classroom each day with these kids are inspired by their progress and accomplishments.”

The impendent film producer also saw the need to help future filmmakers gain the much needed experience to succeed in the business.

The program came about from Stallard’s involvement with grass roots disaster relief organizations, helping youth in Haiti and other parts of the United States. She soon after focused on the need to help young people locally. It was then Stallard reached out to Derrick Tabb, founder of the successful music empowerment program for local youth, Roots of Music.

“I spoke with Derrick and elaborated on a concept-to design an ongoing afterschool program for 7th-graders: even though many people discouraged us from starting with 7th-graders. That’s exactly the population we need to be working with.”

Executive director Mark Shays echoed the sentiment.

“It would be easier to do a 9-12th grade film-based program, everyone is doing those,” he told The Louisiana Weekly. “But 7th grade is such a critical time. It’s the age when kids are starting to go down one path or another. We wanted to reach them where they’re still very open. “Stats show that 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. is the most dangerous time of the day for young people.”

In Louisiana, 173,749 children are left on their own in the after-school hours and harmful peer pressures peak during high-risk after-school hours.
Shays says the positive impact of program is already evident. In a short time, the COOL Cooperative team has seen improvements in grades as well as student attendance.

“These kids know a lot; people would be blown away by what they know; about 3 acts and writing, “ Shays states. “But it’s more about taking them on tons of field trips, getting them to see sets and costumes and props and see that spark of passion: where they’ll say; I think I like writing or directing. A couple of our kids-: they are directors or project managers; you can tell. And they’re going to do great things in life, whether it’s film or not, because of the leadership they’re learning.”

‘This program has been great. This is a film program, but it’s also helping us to be leaders and cooperate with each other, and that will help us later in life. That’s why I’m glad to be a part of it.” says Behrman Charter student, Emori Phillip.

“It was exciting to see the playback (of the PSA) I felt proud,” Myles Bridgewater, Behrman Charter student. “I wanted to get involved in acting for a while.”
Both students are interested in a career in acting.

“We plan to have film scholarships available and funded hopefully by the time this group graduates — hopefully at UNO, Loyola, Dillard-Tulane, whoever’s got one.” Felicia Stallard says.

In the meantime, the plans for a summer program are in the works.

“I love to express myself and I hope to come back next year,” says Emori Phillip.

For more information on the COOL Cooperative, visit www.thecoolcooperative.org.

This article originally published in the March 30, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.