Teaching at a gritty urban high school in Los Angeles, Marco Torres knew the deck was stacked against his students. Acknowledging the situation, Torres knew his choices were simple: he could quit, he could complain, or he could innovate.

Torres, who teaches social studies at San Fernando High School, decided to innovate. His method is simple: reach students through the media most familiar to them. That means video, music and movies. Torres introduces students to the techniques of media creation and then turns them loose on projects that are actually relevant to their lives. For most of them, that equals their community, their heritage, their family and their experiences. Student projects have focused on gangs, violence and migration issues. At the end of the semester, Torres showcases the projects in what he calls the iCan Festival de Cine. Today, the festival attracts more than 1,000 people.

Currently he is employee partner of ALAS Media.

IM: torres21@mac.com
Email: torres21@mac.com