501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
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SMP Rise empowers historically underserved and system-impacted communities through workforce development focused on the art of storytelling. We raise skill sets through education, unique mentorships, and paid apprenticeships. We provide a path to sustainable careers in film, television, stage, and digital arts.
Groups that have limited or no access to resources or that are otherwise disenfranchised. These groups may include people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged; people with limited English proficiency; geographically isolated or educationally disenfranchised people; people of color as well as those of ethnic and national origin minorities; women and children; individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs; and seniors.
If you've been working in the industry as a production assistant or at entry level in a specific department, SMP Rise offers opportunity to learn the skills to reach the next level on your journey.
As industry professionals we must do our part to sustain the workforce with highly skilled, passionate creatives and technicians. As a mentor you can share your knowledge and usher in new talent to your unions.
Even if you're not an industry professional you can help SMP Rise with many tasks that will enable us to serve our participants and keep our non-profit running smoothly. Volunteers are a crucial part of our success.
"The opportunity that SMP Rise gave me was so valuable. It was an amazing journey from start to finish. The mentors guided my learning with clarity and patience. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to earn and learn"
Destiny
ON THE RUN IS A WINNER!
Still, they RISE
"Working with SMP Rise really gave me the opportunity of a lifetime."
-Roki
My career journey began in 1983 in Wilmington, North Carolina, my hometown. I was 18, a senior in high school, an aspiring journalist. During this time, an Italian filmmaker, Agostino "Dino" De Laurentiis, built a film studio in my hometown. Mr. Dino, as we called him, brought along his Italian crew and some American crew (department heads) whose tasks were to run the studio and make films, but also to TEACH the locals the skills needed to become the crew for the productions.
The rest, as they say, is history. You may call it fate, I call it OPPORTUNITY.
Most of our participants are alumni of other great programs that don't create productions. SMP Rise produces micro-productions as a way of providing opportunities. SMP Rise's goal is to be the bridge to continued training in symphony with other organizations. SMP Rise addresses a gap in foundation skills and the "next level" skills to RISE in the industry.
HOW SMP RISE provides solutions to the challenges of those we serve:
1. BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITY - non-union/entry-level crew and creatives confront barriers in networking with union professionals for an opportunity to grow and learn.
2. FINANCIAL BURDEN - entry-level positions are low-paying, but any source of income is crucial to survival. Our participants can't afford film school, and they can't afford to pass on even a low-paying gig to attend classes and seminars to learn for free. 99% will always choose the paycheck for survival over skill set growth.
3. LACK OF CREDITS TO BUILD RESUME - many participants choose the "guerrilla filmmaking" approach, where you work on a friend's short film for a chance to experience a new area of production or attempt to hone a current skill. Most of these projects never make it to screen or festivals and they don't have professional mentors on the project.
4. PATH TO UNION ELIGIBILITY - finding a path to union eligibilIty and status is a long journey without the opportunity to connect with those who can open the union door.
These efforts combined provide a path from generational poverty.
SMP Rise does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to offers of employment, retention of employment, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for the participants, all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.
We would love to connect with you about our Program, Community Partnerships or Potential Donors/Grantors.
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
Make a difference this year! Support SMP Rise with a tax-deductible donation and help us empower underserved communities through the arts, creating brighter futures and lasting change.