KENNER, LA – Through Mission Media Productions (MMP), a program of the New Orleans Mission that teaches disciples to hone their creative capabilities in production and the arts, several New Orleans Mission residents produced their first paid television commercial on Friday, Feb. 17. The crew of four – cinematographer and editor Devin Black, production coordinator and assistant director Kirk LaGrange, sound mixer Austin Simmons, and production assistant Scooter Cockfield, all led by New Orleans Mission Marketing Director and production expert Steven Scaffidi – shot the commercial at Premier Kia of Kenner, 2712 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Each of the crew members was at one time homeless or hurting and sought refuge at the New Orleans Mission. Now, through this project and others like it, they're learning valuable skills and putting their talents to work.
“Homeless men and women are not hopeless,” Scaffidi said. “My entire crew are disciples of the New Orleans Mission who are behind the cameras, lighting the set and coordinating the production. I treat my crew just like any other professional crew I've worked with over my career. I expect nothing less from my homeless crew than I do from my professional crew. I know that my guys will deliver. They have hopes and dreams and God-given talent to accomplish wonderful things in their lives. Many need and hand up not a hand out. Mission Media Productions serves that very purpose.”
The New Orleans Mission is a Christian Humanitarian Organization dedicated to working with homeless and hurting people to help them reach their full potential through rescue, recovery and reengagement. Motivated by their faith in Jesus Christ, Mission members serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people, reps said. The New Orleans Mission serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
