Picked up and chauffeured from their home, Doug and Fran Briggs, directors of the Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC), arrived at a surprise farewell party, only to be greeted by nearly one hundred alumni lining a red carpet. Cheers and tears were offered as they made their way down the crowd into the reception. During the program, former students and staff shared their true recollections of the Briggs, but humorous video clips later told "the real story." For instance, did you know that Fran has an addiction for adopting children? (The alumni count at least 683 of them!) Kyle Royer brought greetings from the CCCU home office by announcing that the Briggs have been made Directors Emeriti of the LAFSC. The alumni also presented the Briggs with an HDTV and home theatre system, along with the newly released DVD of "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," the film that changed their lives in the 70's. The Briggs will be moving from Los Angeles to Minneapolis on September 15th where they will continue their CCCU work developing films and projects for L.A. Filmworks.

 

Meanwhile, a new LAFSC student program director has been hired and will begin on October 19.  Rebecca Ver Straten-McSparran is currently serving as principal and executive director of Mid-Wilshire Christian School and as the founding pastor of a Congregational Christian Church, which ministers to filmmakers, artists, musicians and graduate students in Los Angeles.  The Rev. Ver Straten-McSparren is a graduate of Bethel University (MN) in philosophy and holds a master's degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.  Active in the arts, Rebecca serves on the executive committee of the City of the Angels Film Festival, the planning team of Reel Spirituality, and has been a retreat and conference speaker for Act One Hollywood.  She and husband David Raven, a professional musician, reside in Los Angeles.  LAFSC faculty member, Michael Smith, is serving as Acting Director until Rebecca can begin full-time next month.