501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
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filler@godaddy.com
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.
The majority of our participants are alumni of other great programs that don't create productions. SMP Rise produces micro-productions as a way of providing opportunity. It is the goal of SMP Rise 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 growth.
3. LACK OF CREDITS TO BUILD RESUME - many participants choose the "guerrilla filmmaking" approach, where you work on a friends 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.
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.