A leader of a non-profit organization redefines the education system by using the arts as a vehicle to uplift youth with essential life skills through performance and artistic discovery. Empowering the next generation, Pilita Simpson, CEO and Founder of Positively Arts, draws from her personal upbringing and past experiences as a Disney live performer to exemplify a lasting change for the youth in order to rival the education system through positivity. Built upon her Harvard degree in Arts in Education, her holistic approach emphasizes vital life lessons on mental health, empathy, and empowerment, enriching young minds with essential tools for a brighter future. With their newfound skills, the kids of Positively Arts embark on the production of their very first musical.
Documentary
Educational, Biopic
95 min
This film is made possible through a grant provided by the Playstudios impact fund.
FILM SCREENING
HOME: A Mother of 3000
"Positively Arts is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that empowers kids for life by building confidence through performance and artistic discovery. We fortify students’ social and emotional development by providing the tools, positive outlets, and community support through which kids can develop the confidence and resilience they need to excel in every aspect of their lives.
Since 2014, Positively Arts has served over 20,000 students through our arts-learning empowerment and mentorship programs, has provided over $200,000 in scholarships and tuition assistance for more than 10,000 low-income and at-risk students,
and is proud to be building community for children in Southern Nevada."
BEHIND THE SCENES
PRODUCTION
MEET THE TEAM
PRODUCERS: Tiffanie Rose Ignacio, Veronica Castillo De la Vega
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: May May Luong
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Nadine-Gabrielle Natividad, Dayna Womack
DIRECTOR: Jemsen Yumico Bollozos
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Stephanie Matute
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Miranda Rosembert
EDITOR: Tiffanie Rose Ignacio, Jemsen Yumico Bollozos
FILM COMPOSER: Sharmaine Velasco
First Assistant Director: Tiffanie Rose Ignacio
Second Assistant Director: Faith Nault
Camera Operator: Hylarie Antoinette
Additional Camera Operators: Alexandra Jaeger, Patricia Kristine Reyes, Natalie Sotelo
First Assistant Camera: Julia Bresnan
Second Assistant Camera: Peyton Crosby, Camila Quineche
BTS Photographer: Jackie Perry
Digital Imaging Technician: Karllon Musni: Gabriella Lee Lizzul
Production Sound Mixer: Lourdes Viray, Eden Woolworth
Gaffer: Dani Ladner
Key Grip: Helen Rojas
Grip & Electric: Natalie Sotelo, Cecille Arencibia, Jaden Dickson, Jenna Cobb, Sylvia San Jose
Production Designer on Pilita’s Main INTV: Reeyana Singh
Art Director: Emilia Trejo, Hailey Jordan
Location Scout - Art Consultant: Diana Shiek Yosef
Set Dresser: Cassidy Gillepsie, Tamiya Nadine, Isabella Ciccarelli
Art Transportation: Mario Martin
Makeup Artist: Mylan Harris
Set Production Assistant: Victoria Hartman, Amida Soto, Ashley Lee
Craft Service: Veronica Lucero Castillo De la Vega
UNLV Location Supervisor: Tori Skarupski
Assistant Editor: Julia Bresnan, Karllon Musni, Gabriella Lee Lizzul
Colorist: Stephanie Matuté
Sound Designer: Faith Nault
A NOTE FROM
ECCENTRIC ARTISTS
Our first meeting with Pilita Simpson and
Associate Producer Dayna Womack at Show Creators Studios
(one of the many locations Positively Arts hosts their events).
The Board at Eccentric Artists is honored to announce that our very own Jemsen Yumico Bollozos has been awarded the Empathon Filmmaker’s Grant – a grant from the PLAYSTUDIOS Impact Fund that encourages diversity in filmmaking and gives young female filmmakers a voice to tell stories about the organizations who serve, support and lift the communities in which we live, work and play.
Jemsen will direct the film in collaboration with Eccentric Artists. The documentary will focus on Positively Arts, an organization that uses the arts as a tool to educate, inspire and empower youth in Southern Nevada. The attentiveness that founder Pilita Simpson shows her students goes beyond the performing arts and provides a comfort that secures her students’ mental and emotional well-being. When we realized just how many of our core values at EA align with those at Positively Arts, we knew that capturing their amazing work on film was something very important to us. We cannot express enough how excited we are to begin production! Our hopes are to also make this an educational opportunity that we can share with our community by recruiting more young female filmmakers to our crew!
PRODUCTION
TIMELINE
March 2022
August 2022
September 2023
Positively Arts Documentary — Production Begins.
Scheduling varies upon the availability to shoot classes, rehearsals, or upcoming events. Crew necessity will vary upon the type of shoot date, so some days may be more skeleton while others may require more crew.
End of Production, Beginning of Post-Production.
Editor will begin assembly on the feature length documentary
Social Media Marketing Editor will produce Teasers, Trailers, and Marketing Materials for Instagram/Twitter/Facebook.
Delivery of Finished Product.
The final film will be making its way through the film festival circuit. Social Media Promotion will ensue about the release of the documentary.
ABOUT THE
Empathon Filmmakers’ Grant
PlayStudios Grant Presentation:
'Supporting the next generation of creators, the myCAUSE Charitable Foundation is giving female filmmakers a voice to tell stories about the people and organizations who serve, support and lift the communities in which we live, work and play. The Empathon Filmmakers’ Grant is dedicated to encouraging diversity in filmmaking by providing mentorship and creating a platform for young women to showcase their skills."
FUNDING
Grant funding will be provided for the following:
-
$10,000 for Production Costs
-
$1,500 PlayStudios Premiere Party
-
$1,000 for Film Festival Application Fees
WHO CAN APPLY:
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Currently enrolled in high school or college in Southern Nevada
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Recent college graduate (graduating Spring of 2019 or later)
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Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
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Team must consist of a producer, director and cinematographer (all who identify as female) and meet the above criteria.
Keep up to date —
