The Stagecoach Foundation brought approximately a million dollars’ worth of equipment to use during their Road Show training at San Juan College.

Students getting video equipment together in front of a green screen

The goal of the Road Show was to teach local residents job skills necessary to work in the television and film industry.

Not only were top-notch professionals on site to share their extensive knowledge with participants, but they also filmed a winning script from a preceding screenwriting contest – all in an intense and informative free, two-day training provided by the Stagecoach Foundation.

The Stagecoach Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to creating career pathways for New Mexicans in the film
and television industry through free training and workforce development facilitated by film and television professionals. The participants gain the skills and experience necessary to become strong candidates in New Mexico’s thriving film, tech and creative industries.

Film and TV professionals involved in the training were Erick Castillo, Hank Rogerson and Ray Ortega. Castillo, a filmmaker and International Cinematographers Guild member, has more than 65 feature, commercial and independent film credits. Rogerson, an actor with more than 30 years of experience, provided acting lessons to the participants. To teach the grip/electric, Ortega, a gaffer-chief lighting tech, brought extensive experience to this training.

In addition to the students who participated in this training, there were two graduates of the San Juan College Film & Digital Media Arts program, Noah McCay and Trent Hutchins. McCay used the skills he learned during the training in his short film Night of the Vampire, which recently screened as part of the Totah Theatre’s grand re-opening.