Daily Inspiration: Meet Scott A Galeski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott A Galeski

Hi Scott A , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a retired police detective. I have always had a hobby as a screenwriter. But I never submitted my scripts anywhere in fear of rejection. In 2009, The film industry came to Michigan. I happen to be in the right place at the right time when somebody pointed out to some film makers that I was a police detective and wrote movie scripts. Uranium City Films then produced my first independent film called The Tank. This short 30 minute. Independent film. Screened all over the country. And started my film career. Upon my retirement, I took a job with the courts as a truant officer and went into the schools. In 2016, I was doing a career day about filmmaking, when an eighth grade student raised his hand and asked, how do I get into your films? That very question set in motion. The Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium. (DDSFC). Where we then recruited students K-12 from Detroit and Downriver area schools., but not just any student. We only recruited students that have faced adversity in their young lives. Some of them were court ordered. In 2016, our first group consisted of 12 students. We are now into our 8th season and now Roster. 45 students K-12 from. Southeast Michigan.. This eclectic group of kids consists of black, white, green, purple, gay, straight, transgender. We have seeing impaired and hearing impaired. We have kids on the spectrum. We even have a student that has two prosthetic legs that races horses. The program is free from top to bottom. Funded out of pocket and by donations. We are approaching 100 films. Their projects have screened all over the world, winning multiple awards and accolades. Their films have taken them to Chicago, Baltimore and New York City. Were they screened in the All American, which is the biggest student Film Festival in the world? In October of 2023 We sent 22 students and instructors to New York City, where their project screened in Times Square. Known by other film programs as The Hoodlums, We pride ourselves in giving the kids every opportunity to level the playing field of schools that have higher budgets. It may appear our program is about making film. But it is really about unity.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been an easy road. In the early years we had to borrow and beg for equipment. As stated, we had an eclectic group of kids, some of which needed attitude adjustments along the way. Courts would order juvenile offendrrs to the program for six months. Once their student completed the six months, they were done with their probationary. But every court ordered students stayed until they graduated from high school. 100% of our students graduate from school. Many of which have gotten scholarships. That they would have never gotten unless they were in this program. Our models are dream big and make it count.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a third generation police officer, spending time in uniform patrol, then transferred to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program. I then went to Michigan State Police and worked as an undercover. Narcotic operative In Detroit. I then transferred back downriver and became a member of the Downriver Violent Crimes Task Force, where I specialized in investigating crimes against children. I also wore another hat as an athletic coach. I was 15 years old when I got my first coaching position. And continued coaching throughout my life.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I love painting miniature soldiers and have been doing so since I was a child.

I also tour the country keynote speaking and presenting to schools about what I do, called restorative mentoring. My work circumvents the school to prison pipeline. By speaking about building relationship with students instead of Traditional punitive and exclusionary punishments.

Pricing:

• The Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium is free.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: Downriver- Detroit Student Film Consortium.

Image Credits
Photos compliments of DDSFC Instructor Sandy Hopkins