Brahma filmmakers work with pros

Digital production students learn trade at Covina Center.

Several current Brahmas and alumni were given the opportunity to intern with professionals at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts starting this summer.

Digital productions teacher Mario Enriquez partnered with the Covina Center to give several digital production students a chance to intern with professionals.

The students work  as assistants with the theater group in many different areas, including  video production, television production, short-film production and live recording. They will be working on set with other students from the Los Angeles Film Academy, New York Film Academy and other professionals in the industry.

Instead of working individually, the company allows students to work under well-known producers like Kenya Barris (“The Game,” “Black-ish”) to see how they produce shows. The students will also help the professionals on their individual movies, which will then be shown at the Covina Center.

Aside from working on the fundamentals of video production, the students have also been given the opportunity to create videos, such as a murder mystery and an athletic commercial. They have also taken on roles as extras in certain movie scenes.

They have been able to learn in-depth camera work like positioning and what to capture in the frame as well as lighting techniques.

“With this, I am able to really meet people who do this everyday and they give you an inside look on how things go,” senior Linda Beltran said.

As interns, the students will be doing maintenance work and assisting the producers or directors  whenever they need help. During breaks, the students are able to sit back and watch the production process of a scene and then ask questions or request tips and tricks.

Enriquez said he hopes to  continue this working relationship. His connection with the Covina Center came mainly through Joshua Prisk, a current East San Gabriel Regional Occupational Program member.

Enriquez believes the opportunity is beneficial to his students and that they will learn more about the industry that they love.        

“Your first impression can also be your last impression and whether or not you think your doing something enriching during that entire shift is entirely up to your output,” Enriquez said.