Boys & Girls Club Teens Get Their Screenplay Professionally Produced

    OXNARD, CA, October 28, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A filmmaking and screenwriting project at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme was recently professionally produced in collaboration with an accredited director and trained actors. Mentor Bill Powell, Teen Director Cody Bowen and five teens created an inspirational film that aims to challenge youth involved in gangs to find an alternate path and break the poverty cycle. "The Last Deal" and a documentary about the making of the movie will premiere Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at Pacifica High School, 600 E. Gonzales Road, Oxnard.

The project began in January when teens Claire Benson, Camdon Friedman, Michael Landeros, Jose Motta and Miguel Rojas applied and interviewed for the opportunity to help Powell with his idea for a video. The teens wrote a script which Powell felt was too impactful to produce as a low-budget film so he connected with film industry experts to hire a film crew.

The teens served alongside the crew as production assistants and provided input in post production. The teens were compensated hourly for their efforts on the project.

"When I brought the idea of creating a short about how youth can turn away from the street scene to the kids at the Club, it really resonated with them. As the script developed, it just got better and better, and the impact it could have on a large scale was apparent," said Powell, executive producer.

To produce the script, Powell reached out to his contacts and connected with Oxnard-native, Laura Chirinos, who directed the film and coordinated the hiring of actors and key crew members.

"The passion that the teens, Bill, Cody, Laura and everyone else had in creating this project is really evident in the final product," said Erin Antrim, CEO at BGCOP. "We hope the community will come and view this moving project."

As a wrap up to the overall project, the five teens were asked to individually create short videos on an important social issue. The videos will be judged by outside film industry professionals and the winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship donated by Powell.

The premiere is free and open to the public but reservations are preferred. To RSVP, contact Bowen at [email protected] or call (805) 815-4959.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme exists to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. With three full-service clubs and 18 school program sites, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in California, serving more than 9,200 members annually. It's also the first Boys & Girls Club of its kind to open in the Juvenile Justice Center. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, technology and sports/fitness/recreation opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.positiveplace4kids.org.

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