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Grantees report back: student scholarships and community productions credited with boosting local media skills
Summary
Four grantees funded by the Metro Cable Commission described how scholarships and grants helped students and community producers increase production capacity, attend national conferences and produce local films and series.
Commissioners heard updates from four recipients of Metro Cable Commission grants and scholarships on June 13.
Sacktown Movie Buffs (Kier Stosa) — $10,000: Kier Stosa said funding helped the volunteer production step up staffing, cover day rates and pay for training at Access Sacramento. Since February the group has produced 12 episodes that air on Access Sacramento and Sac Life TV; Stosa said the grant paid for crew incentives, training and some equipment upgrades.
San Juan Unified teacher Rebecca Batsianas (student scholarship): Batsianas described taking students to the National Student Press Association convention in Seattle, a three‑day event with workshops, a trade show and an Oscar‑winning director panel. She said students benefited from hands‑on training, industry contacts and exposure to California law sessions relevant to student journalism.
Elliot Rogan (student photography grant): Elliot described using his scholarship to buy a MacBook, Lightroom and Photoshop and a new lens; he said the tools materially improved his editing and presentation and helped him collaborate with other photographers.
Vista Del Lago / Folsom Cordova students (Maxwell Rice and Gia Tialini) — production scholarship: Maxwell described directing a capstone film that used new camera, lighting and audio equipment purchased with grant funds. Teacher Bridal Baltierra said the award allowed the program to enter six film festivals and that the class was able to build a constructed bedroom set and return to campus during breaks to film extras.
Why it matters
The presentations showed how modest public funding can support student learning, provide workforce training, and seed community content that airs on Metro 14 and partner channels. Each grantee described measurable outputs — episodes produced, festival submissions, and student skills development — tied to specific uses of commission funds.
What grantees said
- "The grant program has been instrumental for us as growing a local community television show," Kier Stosa said, noting payments for crew incentives and training allowed more consistent production.
- Rebecca Batsianas said the convention "cemented" students' interest in journalism and gave them legal and professional knowledge they could bring back to classrooms.
- Maxwell Rice described the difference funding made in production value and the ability to submit student work to festivals.
Next steps
Grantees will continue production and submit deliverables to the commission per contract terms. Commission members thanked the presenters and congratulated students on graduation and festival submissions.
