DIGITAL MEDIA

School Programs

VISUAL ESSAYS

Our Common Core-aligned visual essay program allows students to make connections between the virtual world and their own classroom learning. Students edit together a variety of video and audio clips, including news, talk shows, movies, and their own voiceover, to create an argument that is rhetorically and visually compelling. Throughout the process, students gain critical awareness of the ways in which digital media can be manipulative.

FILMMAKING

Our extracurricular filmmaking programs give students the resources to write, direct, and star in their own original short films. We provide professional filmmaking equipment, including light and cameras, and rigorous curriculum to help students translate stories into films. Alumni from our program are currently studying filmmaking at UCLA and Middlebury College.

MJ PROJECT GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS

The MJ Project Fellowship supports alumni of our digital media program that wish to pursue creative careers after college. Support provided to MJ Project Fellows includes access to technology and filmmaking tools, professional networking, and leadership opportunities.

MJ Project Fellows have demonstrated creativity, leadership, and generosity in pursuit of higher education. If you would like to apply or nominate someone, please email will@mjproject.org.

Almarosa drinking coffee while operating a film camera

Almarosa is a graduate of UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in Film, Television, and Digital Media. Upon graduation, she landed a gig on a VICE TV show as an assistant production office coordinator. She hopes to write, direct, and produce feature films in the near future.

Born and raised in Inglewood, CA, Almarosa was quick to notice the economic disparities in her community. Unlike more privileged schools that offered filmmaking and graphic design, the art courses offered at her school were limited to painting and drawing. It was not until college that Alma was able to pursue filmmaking. As a result, Almarosa hopes to continue supporting nonprofits like The MJ Project that provide mediums for creative expression to underserved students.

Nonprofits have played a significant role in Almarosa’s success thus far, so she remains connected with them aiming to also give back.

Danny helping a high school student operate film equipment

Daniel Padilla is a native Angeleno who’s interest in the arts began with classical painting and drawing. Not long after finishing courses at Otis College of Art and Design and CalArts, Daniel started to experiment with film and photography on his own time. Daniel, along with other students at Animo Inglewood CHS, worked together and created numerous skits that eventually led to more formal projects. These low-budget projects were the catalyst for a more robust program called AICHS Digital Media that Daniel helped create.

After high school, Daniel attended Middlebury College, VT, and studied film and media culture, with a specialization in film production. During time off, Daniel continued to be involved with AICHS Digital Media and learned what it takes to be a successful mentor.

Daniel has since moved back to Los Angeles and is pursuing a career as a Director of Photography.