From our hearts to yours, we hope you and your loved ones are healthy and well. As we’ve watched the COVID-19 pandemic unfurl, each of you has been in our thoughts.

Last week, in conjunction with our partners at One Heartland, we made the heartbreaking decision to cancel our 2020 session of Camp Hollywood HEART. It is an incredibly difficult decision, but it is the right one. Camper safety has and always will be our number one priority. And with so many uncertainties around the future state of public health, we could not take any risks by holding what would have been our 25th summer camp.

We know, and we’re sure you do too, that camp is not just a physical place or time. Camp lives in our hearts, it’s with us every day. And, we believe the communities we serve need the arts now more than ever.

We are exploring the possibility of offering our programming online for the first time in our history. Our goal is to create a virtual Camp Hollywood HEART this summer – connecting young artists with teaching artists, bringing together new communities, and continuing to cultivate confidence, creativity, and self-esteem. We’re already working with our partners at One Heartland to connect with families and campers to learn what programming is needed, and how best to deliver.

Now we need to hear from you. We’re asking our community (yes, that means you) to answer just a few short questions so we can learn how to best translate the magic of Hollywood HEART into an online setting.

If you’re a camper (or former camper), or a HH programming participate, click here: https://forms.gle/tcNqoQtbogn7KcM19

If you’re a teaching artist, click here: https://forms.gle/JshP1eYCpopwTQg2A

If you’re a member of the Hollywood HEART community, click here: https://forms.gle/npgdyM4KcM7ansZr5

These questionnaires should take less than 10 minutes, and we’d love to hear from you by Wednesday! Help us spread the word! Like this post, leave a comment telling us how you’re doing, and tag a camp friend so they know to complete their questionnaire too!

Most importantly, we want you to know Hollywood HEART is here for you. We believe the arts have the power to connect, encourage, and heal, and nothing can change that. 2020 is proving to be a year of challenges, experimentation, and ultimately, growth. We will be in touch as we progress.

With love,

– Team Hollywood HEART

The historic Theatre at the Ace Hotel was the setting for Hollywood HEART’s fourth annual SCRIPTNOTES fundraiser, another amazing night of humor, insight, screenwriting tips, and the chance to hear from some of the industry’s most talented comedic writers, performers and producers.

The live show took place on June 13, where a full house of enthusiastic fans of the industry-favorite podcast, SCRIPTNOTES, was treated to a star-studded line up. Hosts John August (Go, Big Fish, Frankenweenie, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, both Charlie’s Angels movies and Disney’s live action Aladdin) and Craig Mazin (The Hangover Part II and Part III, Identity Thief, The Huntsman: Winter’s War and HBO’s “Chernobyl”) were joined on stage by  Alec Berg (“BARRY” & “Silicon Valley”), Rob McElhenney (“It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”), Kourtney Kang (“How I Met Your Mother” & “Fresh Off The Boat”), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters and The Boss) and Ben Falcone (Tammy, Enough Said and The Boss) for an evening of dialogue that covered everything from the creative process, navigating changes in broadcast formats, what actually makes comedy funny, and the truly unique relationship between an actor and the written word.

Through games, quizzes and an question and answer segment, the audience of more than 600 was able to interact with the hosts and panelists who kept the laughs rolling with a combination of wit, timing and occasional silliness.

After the show, Hollywood HEART welcomed the event’s hosts, panelists and VIP ticket holders to an afterparty on the mezzanine level of the Ace, officially launching our 25th Anniversary celebration.

Built in 1927 as flagship movie palace for United Artists, The Theatre at the Ace Hotel underwent an extensive renovation in 2014 and is now a 1600-seat cathedral to the arts outfitted with a state-of-the-art digital projection system and cinema sound, ultramodern live sound system, and elaborate contemporary stage lighting system – it proved to be the perfect location for a live podcast taping!

Proceeds from the evening went to support Hollywood HEART’s mission of providing Hope, Education, Arts, Recreation and Teamwork to at-risk and HIV/AIDS impacted children and teens through our annual arts-focused summer camp and year-round arts programming.

As mentioned on stage at SCRIPTNOTES, this year Hollywood HEART is taking on the logistical, fiscal and emotional challenge of hosting camp at a new location. We lost our rented campground of 25 years, Camp Hilltop in Malibu, to the Woolsey Fire last fall. Since 1995, Hollywood HEART had been honored to welcome hundreds of HIV/AIDS impacted campers to share in the treasured memories of Camp Hilltop and as that camp is being rebuilt, we are working to continue providing arts education to teens and young adults affected by HIV/AIDS at our new 2019 location in San Juan Capistrano.

We are unendingly grateful to Craig and John for their continued support of Hollywood HEART as they share their talent and time with us each year for a live SCRIPTNOTES event. They have an incredible ability to attract smart, generous writers, producers and performers to join them for the shows, and they have a skilled team of their own producers, designers and assistants to help make the evening run smoothly.

We also are so appreciative to our own dedicated and hardworking Hollywood HEART team, and the talented crew at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel, for a flawless event.

Another huge thank you goes out to the event’s sponsors: HBO (Rewrite level), United Talent Agency (First Draft level) , and our three anonymous Pitch level sponsors. We also extend our sincerest gratitude to Bushley & Associates, along with Donna, Penny and Lynn for their generous contribution of our deluxe VIP gift bags.

Youth Arts Action supports projects for youth from infancy through age 24 that operate outside of school time, in artistic venues and community settings as well as on school sites. This program encourages relevant, dynamic, and innovative community building and learning through youth-focused arts and culture projects.

Since 1995, Hollywood HEART has provided summer camp for HIV/AIDS impacted children and teens, and year-round arts programming to other at-risk youth. Our mission is to use the arts to build confidence, creativity, and resiliency. This year, as Hollywood HEART commemorates 25 years of providing Hope, Education, Arts, Recreation and Teamwork to at-risk youth, it also is taking on the challenge of hosting camp at a new location.

Hollywood HEART is one of 244 grantees chosen for the Youth Arts Action program. The award was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council, with grant funds totaling a projected $24,508,541 for 2018-19, the highest investment in statewide arts programming since the 2000-01 fiscal year.

“Arts and culture are inextricably linked to our humanity,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “They serve as a universal touchpoint for understanding and addressing our societal issues—dismantling inequity, healing trauma, reframing justice, inspiring truth and shaping futures. The Council is humbled to support the vital work of Hollywood HEART and its passionate efforts to make a better California for us all.”

To view a complete listing of all Youth Arts Action grantees, click here.

The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California’s diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Vice Chair Larry Baza, Juan Devis, Jodie Evans, Kathleen Gallegos, Jaime Galli, Donn K. Harris, and Louise McGuinness. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.

We are so excited to announce our upcoming event: SCRIPTNOTES – A Live Podcast Taping at The Theatre At The Ace Hotel, the evening of June 13th, 2019, which is kicking off Hollywood HEART’s 25th Anniversary Celebration!

Tickets are available here!!

SCRIPTNOTES is a podcast dedicated to all things screenwriting, everything from the craft to the business to the best ways to actually get yourself writing. Hosts John August and Craig Mazin discuss the nuances of the creative process with film and television industry veterans and creative visionaries.

This year, we are delighted to hold our event at the historic Theatre at the Ace Hotel. Located in DTLA’s historic core, the theatre is a restored 1920s movie palace – the modern embodiment of classic Hollywood, and the perfect venue to celebrate the arts.

Guests include Alec Berg (executive producer, “BARRY” & “Silicon Valley”), Rob McElhenney (creator/executive producer, “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”), Kourtney Kang (writer/producer, “How I Met Your Mother” & “Fresh Off The Boat”), Melissa McCarthy (actor/producer, Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters and The Boss) and Ben Falcone (actor/producer, Tammy, Enough Said and The Boss).

Proceeds from ticket sales support Hollywood HEART’s mission to provide Hope, Education, Arts, Recreation and Teamwork to at-risk youth.

Ticket prices range from $35 – $250, and are available here. Our VIP Tickets ($250) include a premium seat and access to our exclusive after-party. They’re going quickly – get yours before they sell out!

Past guest speakers included Rian Johnson (director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Brick, Looper), and Lisa Joy & Jonah Nolan (writers and executive producers on HBO’s Westworld).

Watch this space! Guest announcements to come. And be sure to spread the word, but remember, tickets go fast!

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THE EVENT?

We have awesome sponsorship packages available, offering a number of event perks for your company!  Find out more by clicking here.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO OUR SPONSORS!

One Day. 

One Performance. 

One Community. 

We here at Hollywood HEART think it’s simple. Creativity, passion, and self-expression through art is a basic inalienable right. The ability to express one’s self is at the core of being human. So we’re just going to say it: We need you!

Our mission is to build character strengths and resiliency in young people by providing an artistic outlet. Through a one-day curriculum, our participants express their creativity to its fullest, nurture the artist within, and experience what it means to be human.

Join us on May 27th, 2017 for our first Arts & Resiliency Celebration of the year!

• 1 day of artistic workshops, team building, and creative inspiration.
• 30 young artists’ artistic expressions.
• 60 professional mentors and volunteers.
• YOU, in support and celebration!

It’s a Saturday full of inspiration, collaboration, and workshops that culminate in a live performance! Together, we will celebrate creativity and resiliency in young people, raising funds for future Hollywood HEART programming and initiatives in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Our Arts & Resiliency Celebration is an opportunity to give confidence, foster self-expression, and build community. But, we need volunteers, donations, and in-kind services to pull this off!

Here’s how YOU can take action today!

• DONATE! It costs $3.25 per hour to take one participant through the Hollywood HEART curriculum.  That’s right, for less than the cost of a latte you can give the power of art! Join us on our Crowdrise page to give the gift of arts education.
• VOLUNTEER! It takes over 60 volunteers to put on the Arts & Resiliency Celebration – You can make a tremendous difference in the lives of young people in just a few hours.
• JOIN US! This incredible day concludes with a live performance featuring our participants. To join us for the event, email alanna@www.hollywoodheart.org and we’ll make sure there’s a seat with your name on it.

This Spring, our Arts & Resiliency Celebration is not only about providing a life-changing day to 30 incredible young artists, it is about sustaining Hollywood HEART’s Mission:

Enhancing the resiliency and character development of young people through the arts.

The team got there early to set up and make sure we could grab a few photo ops before things got busy. Sundays are the mornings for the Hollywood Farmer’s Market there was lots of foot traffic! To make our table extra special we brought some of the paintings from our last Arts & Resiliency Celebration and tried to look hip by using fabrics left over from our fashion workshops.  The cherry (or I suppose berry…) on top was some fancy cucumber/strawberry/mint/raspberry infused water at our table. Thanks, LA STAGE Alliance for the cute dispenser, table, and cloth!

Then it was all business. We got to spend the next few hours chatting with guests and growing our email list all while some fantastic musicians played and art was viewed by come-rs and go-ers. We were joined by Board Members, ELC members, and new friends and decided perhaps we have found the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning.

More events like this soon! We hope to continue meeting, knowing, and celebrating with local artists. Keep in touch by signing up on our mailing list and we can cheer our cups of berry-infused water at the next event!

High Fives,

Hollywood HEART

p.s. Want to learn more about the art and artist? Check out our 3 question interview with him below!

3 Questions with Artist C. Michael Frey

If you attended, visited, volunteered during the week or just played witness to our SPECTACULAR Gala Night, THANK YOU. It truly takes a village, and what was achieved felt like an entire city came together!

An integral part of camp every year is always our sponsors, so massive thanks and a huge Hollywood HEART hug to one of our epic sponsors, Singer. Singer is world renowned for their sewing machines and they generously gave us 10 brand new sewing machines which were integral in our fashion program. These machines will certainly not be collecting dust until camp next year, as they also get great use at our Educational Arts Workshops throughout the year.

Whether it was Visual Arts, Fashion, Acting, Culinary Arts, Documentary Filmmaking, Music or Creative Writing; Our campers approached every discipline with vigor and excitement. Our final night Gala showed off the culmination of the campers talents as we heard performances by budding singer/songwriters, listened to heartfelt poetry, played audience to a fashion show, a cooking competition, and a horror movie!

We were able to watch the fruit of the filmmaking campers’ labor on the final night due to another one of our glorious sponsors. Our Chicago friend for life Briana Yule, without hesitation, donated to us a brand new projector screen. Briana felt a great connection with Hollywood HEART and with her generous support, she added to our spectacular end of week gala. We HEART you, Briana! We also want to give a special mention to some other of our brilliant friends! Members of “We Are The Mighty” who gave their time to come up to camp to offer their help, as well as Neil and Suzi from ISHP all, came together to share the experience with us and for that, we are so grateful!

As both new and seasoned campers experienced the week; they were asked to sum up camp in one sentence;

“Camp is where I can meet new friends and connect”

“Camp is a place where I can find peace.”

“Camp is a place where I belong.”

“Camp is family”.

When we asked our SUPER STAFF to give us one word summaries, we heard;

“Purpose”, “Eye-Opening”, “Mind Blowing”, “Life Changing” and “Magical”.

These quotes are just a hint of the impact Camp Hollywood HEART has had on so many people involved. From beach day and culinary competitions, to visits from Hollywood screenwriters, every visitor, volunteer and staff member facilitated campers abilities to learn brand new skills sets; every member of this week was utterly invaluable!

**Don’t forget to head over to The Malibu Times to see the article written all about our fabulous week!**

This month’s blog was going to be a look into the world of what it is to be an intern at Hollywood HEART, but after our interview with Ms. Natalie Aguilar, we realized this entry was going to turn out to be a whole lot more. Prepare to be inspired, in awe, and reflective on what YOU were doing at only 19 years old.

For 10 weeks Hollywood HEART has the pleasure of Natalie coming into the fold and beginning an internship with us. Currently studying at Syracuse University in New York, Natalie, a Los Angeles native, first heard about our internship through a friend, “a friend at East LA College directed me towards the Los Angeles County Arts Commission website and the position at Hollywood HEART stood out to me.” As a double major in Speech Pathology/Audiology and Spanish, Natalie wanted to find an internship which centered specifically on the arts.

Coming back home for the summer can mean a lot of things for people, being with friends, partying, relaxing…Natalie began her 10 weeks by helping to move offices and learning how a non-profit manages donations and funds a summer camp.

 “My first task was to reach out to companies and ask for gift card donations for camp, our goal was to get $300 worth, but that didn’t work out at first. Some big companies are a lot harder to reach than you would think!”

As a self-proclaimed introvert and a young woman who just entered the unknown of the nonprofit world, do you think Natalie was disheartened? Gave up because she felt discouraged? Here is where Natalie’s foresight, tenacity, and intellect shine brightly. “I began looking for In-Kind donations (this is when you approach a company for products as donations as opposed to money) I found once again that bigger companies that sold the products were hard to reach, so I went directly to the manufacturer.”

From a goal of $300 in gift cards, Natalie facilitated Camp Hollywood HEART receiving over $20,000 of In-Kind donations. Natalie humbly acknowledged her achievement as “turning out quite well.” Speaking with Natalie you are listening to an emerging leader, a woman that sets goals and overachieves every single one.

Natalie references her parents a great deal,

“We are extremely close, they are hard workers, fighters and a great influence in my life.”

Mr. and Mrs. Aguilar emigrated from El Salvador and have motivated Natalie not only in her present life but her future goals. “My aim for the future is to open a nonprofit speech pathology clinic for undocumented and low-income families” Working with Hollywood HEART this summer is giving Natalie a great insight into the world of nonprofit. “I have learned so much, I am so grateful to this organization for what it has taught me and everyone here, I am enjoying it so much and cannot wait for camp!”

At Camp Hollywood HEART this year Natalie will not only be in the trenches helping wherever needed, she will be able to see her contribution manifest.

“I’m excited to actually see the campers using some of the In-Kind donations such as the spray paint we have received from Montana Colors for Off The Wall Graffiti to use in their art sessions. My confidence has grown so much during this process, I’m so lucky to have got this internship.”

Natalie is a woman to watch. To have made such a massive impact on an organization at the tender age of 19 as well as it being her first time stepping into the nonprofit realm, Hollywood HEART is the lucky one. We couldn’t have asked for more from this remarkable young woman and thank her immensely for gracing our halls with her insurmountable talents. As Natalie continues her studies and her journey into giving back and helping people through her expertise, she serves as an inspiration to all ages from 19-99.

**We wanted to give a MASSIVE thank you and shout out to www.Wrist-Band.com Wrist-Band are one of this year’s very generous In-Kind donors and their company supplies the best in custom silicone bracelets, which are now being used by our very grateful campers! THANK YOU Wrist-Band, you ROCK!**

This internship is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. 132 undergraduate interns will participate in the program this year at more than 100 performing, presenting, and literary nonprofit arts organizations and municipal arts agencies throughout LA County. In addition to their full-time 10-week paid internship, interns will participate in educational events as part of the program which is funded by the Getty Foundation. The educational events are designed to provide interns with a broader perspective of the vibrant arts and cultural landscape of the County. For additional information on the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Arts Internship Program, and for a complete list of all the internships offered this summer, visit the Arts Commission website at www.lacountyarts.org.

To be a volunteer can mean anything from working with a local charity, a group we feel some affiliation with, or even, ‘Voluntourism’. You may not be familiar with this term, but have you ever had a friend that perhaps ventured to foreign lands to not just, “find themselves” but also to help others? Well that, dear reader, is Voluntourism.

As summer vacations are on everyone’s minds, there are people that are opting to spend their holiday time on activities helping others, ranging from building houses for Habitat for Humanity to cleaning river beds. GlobeAware which organizes nonprofit service vacations, says that registrants have increased 33 percent since 2000. So that made me wonder, if anyone was going to dedicate their vacation time to volunteering for a good cause-where could be more idyllic than Malibu, California! I think you can see where I’m going with this…

In what capacity are YOU comfortable with volunteering? How much can you give? Camp Hollywood HEART simply could not function without the incredible talents, selflessness, and dedication of our volunteers and if you were privy to our Wednesday newsletter (if not, sign up HERE) we reminded you we still need you!

Don’t panic, we realize not everyone can give the same amount of time or talents. Not everyone can teach a watercolor workshop (I can’t even color within the lines), not just anyone can describe the intricacies of filmmaking to a group of young adults-BUT every single one of you reading this can give something!

This week our newsletter broke it down into 3 Ways You Can Volunteer

Number 1-Gala Day Volunteer: August 20th 2pm-5:30pm or 5:30pm-10pm

What’s Involved? Setting up, cleaning up, and cheering our campers on as they showcase their work at the highlight of the week- The Gala. Through this culminating performance, we empower our participants to showcase their creativity and artistic vision developed in their week-long art classes.

Number 2-Art Choice Leader: August 16th, 17th or 18th 6pm-8pm

What’s Involved? If you’re an expert in a particular art field and have a passion for sharing your talents through an interactive project with our campers, be an Art Choice volunteer! From photographers to dancers, writers to clowns, artists to chefs and lots, lots more– join us to inspire our campers through a one hour workshop.

Number 3-Overnight Volunteer August 14th-August 21st

What’s Involved? Join the Camp Hollywood HEART family and stay with us overnight the whole week of camp. You will help make Special Performance Night oh so special, set-up a spectacular party for Dance Night, enjoy some sunshine at Beach Day, deliver snacks during Movie Night, and more! Have the biggest impact and join us for an inspirational week in Malibu.

So what do you think? Are you 1, 2, or 3?

It doesn’t matter where you live, whether this would be for a few hours on one day, or a week-long voluntourism trip-you are making a hugely positive impact on the lives of our campers. When you volunteer your time to help others the rewards run both ways, you are creating positive impacts and experiences, raising self-esteem and highlighting personal development.

Oh, and just for a little more inspiration-have you ever watched a sunset by a cliff’s edge in Malibu? ; )

For more info on volunteering at Camp Hollywood HEART: CampHollywoodHeart@gmail.com