What he did: Mr. Pérez, a technology teacher in Pflugerville, Tex., is a co-founder of the Cinema Du Cannes Project, which helps high-school students learn how to produce films and digital videos.
Why he did it: Mr. Pérez, who grew up poor and took 10 years to pay his way through college, says it’s important for aspiring artists to learn to conduct a business.
How he did it: He initially raised $13,000 from contacts and on IndieGoGo, a Web site that helps raise money for projects, much like Kickstarter. Now he is looking to raise $100,000 to hire a small staff.
What he accomplished: Through the program, students from three high schools in Pflugerville finished a short film called “Carney’s Darkness” in January. They have submitted it to be judged in the Cannes International Film Festival.
“I want to provide an avenue for these students to create their art, to get it out there in the world, and to hone their skills, where they’re allowed to take risks, where they’re allowed to make mistakes, so they can find ways to sustain themselves in the future,” Mr. Pérez says.
Technology for Good
This profile is part of a series about the 10 winners of the 2012 Dewey Winburne Community Service Award. Select other profiles from the menu below.
