OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

PREVIOUS EVENTS

     SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: CENTRAL VALLEY FILM PROJECT

By: Christine Mora 

   Through a passion for creating captivating storytelling and a dedication to supporting the budding work of Central Valley filmmakers, Modesto-native Jacob True, created the Central Valley Film Project (CVFP). CVFP was established in early 2020, with a goal to bridge the film and media creation gap that exists between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. As a self-taught filmmaker, Jacob developed a passion for film after watching a Star Wars bonus scene. After enjoying filmmaking as a hobby for a few years, he wanted to create a business that supported creativity in the Central Valley—without creators having to commute to the Bay Area or Los Angeles.

     As CVFP began right before the COVID shutdown, Jacob had to pivot the original plans for the business and began hosting remote events during the first year of CVFP’s inception. Following the first year, the business went into hibernation between 2022 and 2023. Jacob wanted to reignite traction for CVFP and began partnering with local businesses and organizations to drive awareness for the services offered. CVFP’s mission states:

   “We don’t just make films, we create environments where                          collaboration and support thrive. We offer premium video production      services at competitive rates, ensuring your vision comes to life in a        way that fits your budget. Additionally, we're committed to nurturing        the next generation of filmmakers through educational initiatives and      community development, providing the tools and network needed to       turn dreams into reality.”

With services such as video production, dynamic storytelling, educational workshops, and brand elevation, CVFP hopes to build up the Central Valley filmmaking community by offering services that help from the ground up in the filmmaking process.

     Along with the technical elements of visual production, CVFP wants to push the boundaries and challenge the limits when it comes to visual storytelling. Through the promotion of educational opportunities, community development, and brand enhancement, CVFP is able to tackle all aspects of putting Central Valley stories into production. Jacob believes in the idea of “protecting your enthusiasm,” meaning that one must protect what drives a creative passion from outside perceptions and opinions. The idea that filmmakers in Modesto are not serious or that the community is too small to cultivate well-made, creative, dynamic visual media is an idea that Jacob is trying to debunk through CVFP.

   Through hosting educational opportunities and community workshops, CVFP is teaching the fundamentals of filmmaking to plant the seed for creativity in the community. CVFP hosts a Fundamentals of Film course at The State Theater for groups of students (grades 8–12), as well as another for adults. These workshops, along with other specialized courses and networking events, allow Central Valley filmmakers and creatives to come together and build a stronger film community.

     The future goal of CVFP is to continue strengthening the filmmakers of the Central Valley with affordable and quality services that make filmmaking accessible. Jacob believes there is a misconception that top-end film is extremely expensive, when in reality, filmmaking resources are more readily available than ever. Jacob hopes to turn CVFP into a nonprofit to continue hosting more free community events and to develop educational courses for creatives to learn the ins and outs of filmmaking.

     Keep an eye out for CVFP’s upcoming Modesto Film Invitational at The State Theater on September 6th. To learn more about CVFP’s community projects and stay up to date with all of their events, follow them on Instagram, @cvfp209, or at their website linked below.

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: CREATION4CESSATION

By: Mariah Ring

     Creation4Cessation (C4C) is on a mission to cultivate a healthier Central Valley through the power of the arts. Founder Sabrina Toor witnessed first hand how prevalent tobacco usage was in her school and decided to take a stand against it. As a sophomore in high school, Sabrina founded C4C, quickly gaining traction among like minded peers and becoming a nonprofit organization within a few months. C4C “empowers youth to combat tobacco addiction through art, advocacy, and education,” utilizing “creativity as a tool for awareness, healing, and change, fostering a tobacco-free future for all.” Holding community events to bring awareness to the cause and give youth a chance to create meaningful art, allows her to spread the message.

     C4C is for youth, by youth. Not only is the founder a high school student, but many of the directorial roles are held by peers as well. Sabrina stated that this is an integral part of the organization, so that the C4C team is able to facilitate more peer to peer interactions and have a better understanding of the challenges faced by youth today. As the organization expands and more chapters arise, more peer leaders are identified. These groups are initiated by students with a desire to see change within their own schools or communities. While all are united by the mission to combat nicotine usage by engaging in artivism, art activism, clubs are allowed flexibility in what activities they host and participate in, keeping the efforts grass-roots and relevant to their specific environments.

     For the past two years, C4C has held an annual art exhibition, where high school students across Modesto submit their works based on the negative effects of tobacco usage. With over seventy submissions, the competition exhibits talents across several forms of media from artists of all backgrounds. This year’s winners submitted both two and three-dimensional, multi-media works of art, exposing the social and health implications associated with tobacco usage. First place winner, 11th grader Mary Casey from Modesto High School, earned her top spot with her paper mâché lungs, depicting before and after scenes of a smoker. In second place, 12th grader Gabrielle Saiz from Enoch High School, put a morbid twist on a classical style painting, showing how peer pressure can cloud the vision of youth. 10th grader Alec Spycher from Turlock Christian High School was awarded third place for their drawing of skulls in a plume of smoke, allowing viewers to see how deadly smoking can be. Winners received a cash prize, as well as recognition by community officials and peers. 

     Sabrina also aims to spread positive experiences to others through her work, participating in activities to benefit pediatric cancer patients. C4C has hosted superhero cape decorating events, where the decorated capes are donated to patients at Valley Children’s Hospital, in hopes to raise their spirits. Another workshop was hosted during Love Modesto, a citywide volunteer day, to create covers for coloring books donated to the non-profit organization, Essentially Everly. Sabrina is able to show her peers how engaging in healthy, smoke-free environments is not only good for their health, but how it can also impact the greater community.

     Sabrina loves being able to see the impact of C4C and hopes to see continued growth in the organization. Although there is not one clear success metric, the work is very gratifying and she is always looking for more ways to make an impact in the community. Sharing the passion for tobacco cessation makes Sabrina hopeful for the future and fuels her efforts to strive toward even more meaningful impact in the future. To stay up to date on C4C’s events, follow them on Instagram, @creation4cessation, or visit their website linked below!

CREATIVE NATIVE Q & A: PAYTON MAHONEY

Q: What is your name and hometown? 

A: My name is Payton Mahoney and I’m from Manteca California 

Q: How were you first introduced to music?

A: I was first introduced to music through my dad who’s been doing music for most of his life!

Q: Is creating music your full time career? If not, is that your goal? 

A: Creating music is not my full time career, but that would be such an accomplishment for me if I could make that happen someday!

Q: Where do you find inspiration? Are there artists/ musicians that inspire you?

A: I find most of my inspiration from other artists who value authenticity in what they write. Some artists that inspire me are Leith Ross, Nick Drake, Thom York, and Linda Perhacs. I admire their approach to writing. 

Q: What do you believe is the most prominent or most recurring theme in your music? What does this theme mean to you?

A: The most recurring theme in my music has been about something preventing me from moving forward. Feeling stuck in place and trying to figure out why I can’t let myself break out.  

Q: Do you have advice for youth that are interested in pursuing a career in the arts but may be anxious to start

A: My advice is to go for it regardless of any fear you may have. Sign up for open mics, post online, share what you have to offer. Pour yourself into your music. Force yourself to be vulnerable. Everything takes time, so don’t convince yourself that you’re incapable, you’re more than capable!

Q: Where can people go to hear your work?

A: People can go to my Youtube and Spotify under the name “Payton Mahoney” to check out anything they might be interested in.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & RESOURCES