Beginning In May, MYPARC Leadership Program interns kickstarted a thrilling adventure diving into filmmaking workshops with the filmmaker, Shan Shaikh. ​​Shan is recognized as a writer, director, who is renowned for his personal film projects and contributions to Retrospective Cinema, and is also a KYCC community volunteer. 

KYCC Prevention Education’s MacArthur Park Community Initiative (MPCI) aims to create a safe environment at MacArthur Park. The MYPARC Leadership Program offers a 9-month internship for youth to develop leadership, advocacy, and community engagement skills, while also focusing on reducing hazardous waste and promoting community well-being in the MacArthur Park and Westlake areas.

Over the course of a six-week period, the interns and Shan gathered weekly to work on their film projects. Split into two groups, they were assigned to each produce a 5-minute short film. The first few meetings concentrated on the basics of filmmaking, followed by hands-on filming sessions where interns captured scenes for their projects. This hands-on experience not only offered practical filmmaking experience, but also furnished our interns with essential skills for their research endeavors and future pursuits.

Throughout the process, the interns acquired valuable filmmaking skills during the workshop, while also gaining insight into the intricacies of becoming a filmmaker. A special screening allowed over 100 Koreatown residents to enjoy the films, evident from their laughter and positive feedback. This event had a profound impact on both the 10 youth participants and the over 100 individuals who had the opportunity to view the film.

We extend our gratitude to Shan for providing this opportunity for our interns and eagerly anticipate seeing them apply these skills in the future.