Greg D'Alba Invites Industry to Support Ghetto Film School - MediaBizBloggers.com

Ghetto Film School

Published: May 8, 2008 at 08:05 AM GMT
Last Updated: May 10, 2008 at 08:05 AM GMT

By Greg D'Alba

On June 9th, Ghetto Film School (GFS) will host its 4th Annual Benefit Dinner to honor its students and raise money for New York City’s only free film school. Located in the South Bronx since 2000, Ghetto Film School has nurtured over 400 dedicated students and provided them with a rigorous 15-month program that leads to a career in the world of film. CNN’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Ad Sales Greg D'Alba, explains how he got down-to-the-ghetto and is supporting the future talent of the film industry.

When I first heard about the Ghetto Film School (GFS) five years ago, I must admit I was a bit skeptical. The name was somewhat off-putting and I was hesitant to learn more, but through the persistent coaxing of a colleague, I agreed to attend a student film screening. This would be my first glimpse of the Ghetto Film School in action and the start of my long-lasting relationship with this incredible organization.

Just five minutes into the screening, I realized my apprehension could not have been have been more off the mark. I met with Joe Hall, President and Founder of GFS, and interacted with the student filmmakers and immediately knew this was an organization I wanted to be a part of. Here were a group of teens from the Bronx, who would typically not get the opportunity to attend film school, yet whose passion for film and dedication to the craft was electrifying the room. I thought to myself, “this is what we need…it’s exactly what the film and television world has been desperately lacking,” and I have been a board member ever since.

The idea for GFS was conceived when Founder Joe Hall asked a group of neighborhood students what they sought in a free film school. The overwhelming answer was that they wanted to be challenged. The students felt that many non-profit youth organizations in their neighborhood tended to focus on stereotypical “problems,” reinforcing negative perceptions about teens from urban areas. One student said “I want to be challenged, it’s not like I want some ghetto film School,” and with that, the name was born.

GFS is different. It is about discovering raw talent, training young artists, and creating opportunity. The school provides its students with real world experience, offering a unique insight into the film industry and preparing students for a career in film and video.

Located in the South Bronx, since 2000, GFS has since provided over 400 aspiring filmmakers with classic film school education and competitive internships at no-cost. The school exists through the generous support of city grants, corporate partnerships, earned income through its Digital Bodega production company and a roster of high profile supporters and industry insiders.

The curriculum is a rigorous 15-month training program that culminates with a student written, group-thesis film that is produced and directed abroad. The Thesis Film project is a three-month real world production demonstrating the skills, knowledge, and aesthetics of filmmaking. Working as a group, the students compete for crew positions like Director or Cinematographer and are responsible for all aspects of the film making process. The current class will be filming in Uganda this June. In years past, the Fellows have traveled to Mexico City and Paris and next year’s project will take place in Shanghai, China.

Built on the belief that more stories from a diversity of young people can benefit all kind of audiences, GFS aim’s to ultimately benefit cinema, the industry and society as a whole. In this business we are always talking about the need for more diversity; about the lack of multi-cultural talent behind the camera. GFS provides a direct solution to that problem and a new fresh pool of talent for the industry. Eventually these talented teenagers will go on to attend top film schools and work in the offices of the best film and media companies in the country. What they learn in this program will cycle back to the industry providing eclectic and diverse content for a multitude of audiences.

GFS has come long way in a very short time and the potential is limitless. In the near future, I see the GFS brand emerging to other major cities and beyond. Students from all communities should have the opportunity to express their creativity and passion through film, regardless of their economic backgrounds. My intention is to continue to fundraise, build the brand, and collaborate with other media companies to take GFS from a national to a global level.

By supporting GFS, we are investing in the future of the media business. The face of America is changing and media companies need to invest at the grass-roots level so that these young people can receive practical real-world experience and eventually satisfy the cultural diversity that exists in our country.

On June 9th, GFS will host its 4th annual spring benefit dinner at Bottino in New York City. Teaming with Niche Media, CAA, CNN, IFC, Turner Entertainment, The Criterion Collection, JPMorgan Chase, Endeavor, celebrity supporters and film insiders, we will join together to honor our students, present scholarship awards and raise funds for New York’s future film makers. I encourage everyone in the industry to attend, show support and learn how to get involved.

To purchase tickets, email benefit@ghettofilm.org or call 718-589-5470. For more information, visit www.ghettofilm.org.

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