Monterey County Film Commission 2016 Student Scholarship Winners

Brianna Beavers and Rose Mercurio, both seniors in the Cinematic Arts and Technology Department at California State University, Monterey Bay, were each named winners of a scholarship in the 2016 Monterey County Film Commission’s Director Emeritus Richard Tyler Film Student Scholarship Award Program.

Both students received a $1,500 check and a framed certificate presented by Jeff Clark, Monterey County Film Commission president and film scholarship chairperson.

The Monterey County Film Commission’s scholarship program was created to provide financial aid and incentive to students of film as well as beginning filmmakers who reside in Monterey County or those enrolled in a college or university in the county. The fund was established as a permanent endowment with the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

Beavers, who is from Modesto, will use the award to financially back and help gain exposure for her senior thesis film, “The Call,” in film festivals. She also is working on a new film, “When It Rains,” which she plans to shoot in Monterey County with funds helping ensure enhanced film gear, software and hard drives.

“I was ecstatic when I was informed that I won the Monterey County Film Commission film student scholarship,” Beavers said. “Getting films funded is one of the biggest challenges in the craft of filmmaking and it can be frustrating when you can’t make your film simply because of funding.”

Mercurio, who grew up in Salinas, has a thesis film called “Grandma’s Card Night,” an animated narrative fiction about the loving relationship between two children and their beloved grandmother.

“I am so thankful to be receiving this scholarship which will help better equip my workspace, making it possible for me to create more animations at a higher caliber of quality,” Mercurio said.

Contributions to the film commission’s Director Emeritus Richard Tyler Film Student Scholarship & Awards Program have been made by the Craig and Paula Tigerman family, Honest Engine Films, Union Bank, in-kind support from the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and numerous local donors.

Contributions are welcomed for next year’s program. For more information call (831) 646-0910 or email: info@filmmonterey.org.

2016 Scholarship Winners – Press Release