This spring, 12 students in the Ballard High School Video Production Program will be visiting Hollywood to tour the industry, meet with professionals, visit world-class film schools, and connect with program alumni.

Filmmaking is a competitive career and it’s not uncommon for top college programs of film and television to admit as few as 2 percent of applicants, according to instructor Matt Lawrence. Despite these odds, BHS video students regularly gain admission to these prestigious schools and as they move through college and enter the industry, Ballard alumni provide an ongoing source of inspiration and support for students currently in the program.

"We’re hoping that this trip will help students understand that the world of filmmaking is a realistic goal if they’re willing to work hard and prepare," said Lawrence.

The Ballard alumni leading the tours include:

Kyle Seago (class of 2007) attended the film production program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. By his second year of college, Seago was getting such attractive job offers that he decided to put college on hold. The next few years took him to Italy, Morocco, Greece, and Macau for location shoots as he rose to the position of Associate Producer. Seago is eager to talk with current students about the program at LMU and entering the industry.

Brendan McCarthy (class of 2004) attended film school at New York University. He is currently in Los Angeles working in the writers’ room of the new CBS series Rob!. McCarthy will talk with students about writing for the industry and give them a tour of Studio City.

Chloe Warner-Moyer (class of 2011) is currently attending Chapman University’s Creative Producing Program on a Dean’s Scholarship. She’ll be joining us for a tour of the new facilities at Chapman’s Dodge School of Film & Television and giving students the inside scoop on the producing program.

Rikke Heinecke (class of 2011) is organizing a tour of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema Arts, where she’s studying film production. She’s also arranging a chance for the studentd to screen work by USC film students and meet some of the faculty.

In addition to visiting with alumni, BHS students will be meeting film professionals with varied expertise, observing a shoot, and touring Hollywood studios.

For more information on the Ballard High School Video Production Program, visit their blog at http://www.bhwvideo.blogspot.com.