Girls Just Wanna Create:Diversity in Entertainment

There is a profound lack of gender and racial diversity In the digital and technological sectors of the entertainment industry. In almost every tv studio, recording studio, or soundstage you’ll find the majority of white men working the sound, lighting, and animation boards. We want to address this problem here in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, by developing skill sets in high school girls that can provide the foundation for careers in sound, design, and music studios. The varied backgrounds of GALA girls can provide unique perspectives that will help create unique and novile content in the entertainment industry.

The grant will support a number of programs at GALA. In the music area, we would acquire new music production software that would be instrumental in establishing a dedicated space for producing new music. This technology would help us establish a Recording Club for aspiring musicians and sound engineers. The grant would also help us expand our broadcast technology. Specifically, we could advance our lighting and graphics/animation capabilities,which would allow increased collaboration between students and teachers that promote novel initiatives and diverse campus voices. Teachers on campus will have opportunities to receive training on new software systems, equipment, and specialty curriculum to develop the students’ skills and professionalize their own expertise. The grant will provide GALA girls with the experience and confidence to secure internships in the entertainment industry as well as build and foster community relationships with web developers, art directors, architects, game developers, broadcast operations professionals, and sound engineers. These relationships between GALA girls and industry professionals can provide the opportunity for targeted career days that will expand the reach of the programs as more and more students become aware of the myriad of career options open to them.

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

With this grant from LA2050 we intend to change the playing field for young women entering the fields of music technology, sound engineering, broadcasting tech, graphic arts, and lighting. A successful program will create a pipeline of talent, developing young women entering the tech sectors of entertainment. By the time these students are high school seniors, they can change the face of the traditionally white male entertainment industry. Our vision is to bring passionate, qualified people into the networks that are crucial for landing STEAM jobs in the entertainment industry. The LA2050 grant will provide GALA girls with a shot to become an integral part of the.Los Angeles hub of creativity by merging technology, the arts and personal expression.

Our broadcasting elective is one of the top three sought after electives at GALA. The broadcasting students produce a weekly Good Morning GALA news segment that is projected to each classroom and posted to a YouTube Channel. The students have expressed interest in designing better graphics and web integration. The older girls are ready for more exposure via community partnerships or internships at studios. We’re measuring impact by tracking views and shares of the YouTube content. Future measurement of success will include the number of mentorships, internships, and media integration projects undertaken. Ultimately, we will measure jobs in the entertainment industry made possible by the foundations created with the LA2050 grant. With the support of the LA2050 grant, there can someday be businesses owned and operated by the women and minorities who developed their skills in this program.

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