University Of Houston: When Hollywood Meets Houston

Bellaire TX

09 December, 2021

11:08 AM

Description

Press release from the University of Houston: 'Lights, Camera, Action!' Inside a well-appointed north Houston mansion on a sweltering August day, University of Houston students Gabriella Cecco and Daniel Padron are carefully hanging sparkling ornaments and garland on a towering Christmas tree. Celebrating Christmas in summer? Not exactly. "The first time I stepped on the movie set, I looked around and said to myself, 'Yep, this is it. This is everything I've pictured.'"August Estes, UH media production student That's right students, welcome to show business! "How many people can say they are doing this? Just being in this environment, every single aspect is amazing," said a visibly excited Padron, a junior studying media production at the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. Across the living room adorned with beautifully-wrapped gifts and other festive decorations, classmate August Estes works with first assistant camera operator Andrew Olson to establish the perfect shot for the next scene. The students are working 12-hour-plus shifts on the set of "Hip Hop Family Christmas," a feature film debuting on VH1 Monday, December 6. It tells the story of a powerful music industry family dealing with the pressures of living under the microscope. As production interns, the students are doing everything from set design, grip and sound engineering, to doing make-up, and, at times, appearing as extras. And perhaps the best part… it's all for class credit. "The first time I stepped on the movie set, I looked around and said to myself, 'Yep, this is it. This is everything I've pictured,'" recalled Estes, a senior studying media production and business management. This press release was produced by the University of Houston. The views expressed here are the author's own.