As film studios started moving production out of Hollywood, opting for locales beyond California, many in the movie-making industry thought of it as a blow for the filmmaking economy.
An Opportunity
But where others saw a loss, Marine Corps veteran Joe Ramirez saw opportunity.
Perhaps it’s the Marine Corps ethos of always finding a way to forge ahead, but Ramirez believed the industry’s exodus from California only meant a new pathway for veterans interested in telling impactful stories in Hollywood. After all, most veterans already have three essential components for success on screen: technical skill, discipline, and captivating stories itching to be told.
Earlier this year, Ramirez established the National Entertainment Awards Academy for Military & Veterans (NEAAMV). The academy is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that focuses on four areas, a spring gala, film workshops, scholarships for filmmakers and a film festival and awards show. Ramirez hopes his organization can foster sustainable opportunities for veteran film producers.
On Nov. 8, the organization will host the MV Shorts LA Film Festival at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Culver City, California.
An Exodus
“When film production started leaving California, I saw crew members, many of them veterans, scrambling for work,” Ramirez said in a press release. “Veterans already have the skills Hollywood needs: logistics, technical precision, leadership under pressure. But they don’t have the network. We’re building that bridge.”
Congressman Brad Sherman (D-California), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Financial Services Committee, plans to speak at Saturday’s red-carpet event.
The film festival and awards show follows the organization’s first successful gala in May that attracted more than 600 attendees, with support from film and TV stars Cybill Shepherd and Dennis Quaid, along with Gerry Byrne, Marine Corps veteran and vice chairman of Penske Media, which runs Variety and the Hollywood Reporter.
During the spring gala on May 24, Alysha Haran, a 17-year Navy veteran, took home the Overall Award for her critically acclaimed film “Stone Garden,” receiving a $5,000 scholarship award from NEAAMV.
Roadblocks to Hollywood
Despite having unique skills suited for success in filmmaking, veterans are often met with barriers to break into Hollywood. Relying more on “who you know,” the industry tries to build relationships and movie contracts through established networks and handshake deals, leaving those without a deep pool of connections out in the cold. And, with studios continuing to contract out of Hollywood, that chasm continues to expand.
Jane Austin, who’s built a long, successful career as a stuntwoman and stunt coordinator after time in the service, said making the leap from the military to Hollywood can be intimidating.
“I work with young filmmakers who don’t know SAG-AFTRA processes or how to navigate union rules. NEAAMV connects them with people like me who can open doors, which changes everything,” said Auston, who serves as SAG-AFTRA’s L.A. Military Committee Chair.
As a volunteer mentor, Austin supports NEAAMV’s programs, including scholarships, workshops and events like the short film festival.
Awards and National Recognition
Saturday’s festival will showcase films less than 40 minutes long in several categories. The competition highlights movies from veterans and non-veterans with military stories. Winners could receive up to $1,000 in scholarship funds, along with trophies and industry-wide recognition. In addition, films in the contest could be shown on VetStreamTV, a streaming platform devoted to military and veteran stories.
More than 150 filmmakers across the country have submitted their films to the festival.
Taking Care of Their Own
The gala will also honor Chris Holmstrom, an L.A. TV journalist known for his award-winning Veterans’ Voices series, and the late Casey Kasem, an Army veteran who rose to fame on the radio as host of “American Top 40” and served as the voice of Shaggy on the popular “Scooby-Doo” cartoon series. Daughter Kerri Kasem will serve as host.
“This isn’t just about handing out awards,” Ramirez said. “It’s about creating a support system so veteran filmmakers can build careers, not just make one film. The veteran community takes care of its own, and we’re extending that into Hollywood.”
Saturday’s festival will also feature a fashion show highlighting the work of five veterans, hosted by Kasem and actor Joel Searls, a Marine Corps reservist. Designers include, Army veterans Thierry Kepgang, Donna Quach, Ranee Rubio, Navy veteran Velt Larant, and veteran advocate May Bartolini.
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