When George Clooney Spearheaded a Groundbreaking Initiative: The Roybal School of Film and Television Production
In a move to diversify Hollywood, actor George Clooney and other industry stars, in collaboration with LA education officials, launched a school for training film crews in 2022. The institution aims to equip teens with essential film production skills and open up career opportunities.
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:25 PM ISTIn a move to diversify Hollywood, actor George Clooney and other industry stars, in collaboration with LA education officials, launched a school for training film crews in 2022. The institution aims to equip teens with essential film production skills and open up career opportunities.
George Clooney (Source : Getty Images)
The A-List Academy: George Clooney's Hollywood Training School
"Aim is to better reflect the diversity of our country," declared George Clooney as he announced his plans to open a training school for film crews in 2022, alongside fellow Hollywood actors Kerry Washington and Don Cheadle. The venture was not only ambitious but also served as an overdue response to the #OscarsSoWhite scandal and the Black Lives Matter protests that spotlighted the lack of diversity in Hollywood, reported by Reuters in June 2021.
Shedding Light on the Film Crew Training School
The Roybal School of Film and Television Production was launched with a clear mission: to break the barrier of entry into Hollywood for budding cinematographers, lighting experts, and visual effects artists. Embedded in the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center in LA's predominantly Latino Westlake district, the school promised to blend practical training with academic programs and internships.
Clooney, alongside Washington, Cheadle, Mindy Kaling, Eva Longoria, and a trio of producers, took up seats on the board and undertook the responsibility of 20% of the estimated $7 million budget. According to Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Buetner, their involvement was far from just being financial.
An Industry Change Led by Clooney & Co
"It means creating high school programs that teach young people about cameras, and editing and visual effects and sound and all the career opportunities that this industry has to offer," Clooney outlined. This message was echoed by Grant Heslov, Clooney's producing partner, who highlighted the lack of qualified candidates as a major roadblock to hiring more women and people of color on film sets.
The move by the Hollywood A-listers followed another educational initiative by record producers Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, who planned a specialized high school aimed at fostering innovation among inner-city kids.
Clooney's vision thus not only opened a new pathway to Hollywood for many but also demonstrated how stars can utilize their influence to drive real and impactful change.
The school's launch marked an important milestone for diversity and inclusivity in Hollywood, a testimony to the power of celebrity influence when harnessed for a noble cause.
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