Project Hope: Media Training & Networking for Oregon Veterans

Tuition for this workshop is provided by SeaRiver Sanctuary in partnership with Together With Veterans NW and hosted by Stelo Arts

About the Event

Project Hope is a two-day creative media workshop and networking event designed specifically for Oregon veterans. Whether you’re brand new to media or already have stories to tell, this event is your opportunity to explore the tools of filmmaking, connect with other veterans, and learn from professionals working in Oregon’s creative industries.

Event Details

📍 Location: Stelo Arts (event host), Portland, OR – 412 NW 8th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
🕒 Friday, April 18: 3–5 PM (Meet & Greet)
🕘 Saturday, April 19: 9 AM – 3 PM (Workshop Day) (lunch provided)

Friday, April 18 – Meet & Greet
Enjoy light refreshments, meet fellow participants and instructors, and hear more about the Project Hope mission, including our goal of creating workforce job placement opportunities for veterans in Oregon’s film and media industry.
Refreshments provided by Together With Veterans NW

Saturday, April 19 – Workshop Day
Hands-on training in camera basics, lighting, storytelling, and content creation. Learn how to use creative media as a tool for expression, empowerment, and career building.
Lunch provided by Together With Veterans NW


📌 Space is limited—early registration recommended.

Registering for the April 18–19 Project Hope Workshop?

Please include your branch of service and a short note about your interest in the workshop in the message box below.

If you run into any issues registering, you can also reach out to Sean Davis at sean@roguecell.org

What You’ll Learn

  • Camera and lighting fundamentals

  • Visual storytelling and structure

  • Digital media tools and social platforms

  • How to enter Oregon’s creative industry ecosystem

  • Hear from industry professionals with years of experience about how to get started—and how to find a path to making a living working in film and television

No experience needed. Just curiosity and the desire to connect, express, and build something real.

Meet the Instructors & Guest Speakers

Andy Mingo
Filmmaker | Educator | Project Hope Co-Founder
Andy is an Oregon-based filmmaker and longtime media arts educator known for blending real-world storytelling with a commitment to community impact. Andy produced and co-wrote the upcoming film The Chronology of Water, directed by Kristen Stewart.

Jerry Bell
USAF Veteran | Actor | Filmmaker
Atlanta native Jerry Bell Jr. is an actor, director, writer, and producer. As an actor, Jerry has enjoyed compelling roles in feature films, shorts, TV shows, and national-level commercials. His most recent highlight is his role as Bear Wilson in the YouTube hit Jason Rising. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he transitioned into filmmaking and now focuses on empowering veterans to share grounded, unforgettable stories.

Sean Davis
US Army Combat Veteran | Author | Artist | Educator
A Purple Heart recipient and veteran of the Iraq War, Sean is a celebrated writer, artist, and advocate for veteran voices. His work bridges combat experience and creativity, offering clarity and healing through story.

Michelle Damis
Casting Director | Creative Producer | Veteran Advocate
Michelle has worked across Oregon’s film and TV landscape for years, with a focus on inclusive casting, community production, and launching emerging talent—including veterans—into creative work.