Coleman among A&M students documenting Rose Parade, Rose Bowl

Eric Coleman and the Huntsville2Hollywood film crew from Alabama A&M University will produce a documentary about the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. (CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE – On Year Year’s Day, Tennessee Valley residents will be viewing the Tournament of Roses Parade as Eric Coleman and fellow Alabama A&M University students will be producing a real-time documentary.

Coleman, an aspiring cinematographer from Dothan, is getting this chance of a lifetime with the 12-member film crew, dubbed Huntsville2Hollywood, from Alabama A&M.

The students will capture behind-the-scenes work at the country’s most spectacular parade and the Rose Bowl football contest in Pasadena, Calif. Media Arts Institute of Alabama with offices at 7449-D U.S. 72 W. in Madison is spearheading the project.

The Huntsville2Hollywood documentary “marks the first time communications arts students from a Historically Black College or University have been offered the opportunity to produce a film about inner workings of America’s premier New Year’s celebration,” institute founder/CEO Leon Burnette said.

The A&M students wrapped all pre-production and project research in Huntsville. They will fly to Pasadena on Dec. 26 to shoot footage and interview individuals.

Coleman first proved his natural talent when his high school basketball coach asked him to film the team for later play analysis. “Eric knew that was where he wanted to be … behind a camera,” Burnette said.

This summer, Coleman earned valuable experience with Rocket Hatch, a incubator for business growth in Huntsville. During that work, Coleman learned about a reality TV pilot in production in Atlanta. “I was chosen as a member of an eight-person crew who shot for two days in Atlanta,” Coleman said.

That experience will match Coleman’s work for in Pasadena. “I’m very excited about the Huntsville2Hollywood project. It will be another opportunity to stand behind a camera,” Coleman said.

The crew will visit Hollywood TV studios, movie sets and media technology companies. “They will talk to educators at local universities about graduate school opportunities and interact with accomplished music and film executives who will give them career advice and tips for success,” Burnette said.

For more information, visit Huntsville2Hollywood.com.