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Sunday, October 7, 2007  When 11-year-old Youssif Rouchi joined the cast of "Kids Unlimited," the Bay Area television show produced at Be Productions in Berkeley, the Hayward sixth-grader knew he'd learn a lot about acting, screenwriting, directing and auditioning.
"But mainly, I get to see myself on TV. That's pretty cool," says the wavy-haired, black-blazer-wearing aspiring actor, while taking a break from drawing storyboards for a film project. After opening in April, the Berkeley children's talent agency and film studio has become home to some of the Bay Area's most creative kid-produced film content, such as "Schoolyard Vice," a "Miami Vice" parody co-starring Rouchi and 15-year-old Faith Wright and written and directed by 16-year-old Jordan Parrott. "This is great for when I apply to film school," says Parrott, an Antioch High School sophomore. "It's not like I just have some films I made with some buddies. I'll come out of here with real directing experience." Be is the brainchild of Erik DeSando, who ran a talent agency in Los Angeles for many years. "The name is actually Be. with a period," DeSando says. "Because if you want to be an actor or be a director, that's all you have to do. Just be." The company began airing kid-created content in August. A core group of 50 kids regularly work on filming with the goal of producing 24 shows a year. There are 3,000 Bay Area members of Be, which also provides audition tips, referrals and industry discounts. Be Studios broadcasts the sitcom "Kids Unlimited" and the sketch comedy show "Say What?" on the Bay Area's CW channel. Parrott, Rouchi and Wright had to audition for spots on the shows - a reminder that even though the Berkeley studio is decorated like a kids' clubhouse with bright colors, cozy beanbags and a wardrobe of goofy costumes, they're still there to work on their acting and directing crafts. "Hanging out with the cast and filming is definitely lots of fun," says Wright, a Pinole Valley High School sophomore who has been with the studio since it opened. "But, oh, I am definitely here to work on my acting career." Although Wright enjoys working on the silly "Say What?" sketches, such as her latest about a spray bottle that shoos away ugly boys, she is most proud of her recent serious role as a daughter skeptical of her estranged father's sudden return. Wright, Parrott and Rouchi all say being on television has helped them overcome shyness narrow their goals. There are other perks, too. "It's also helped teach me to keep a serious face," Rouchi says. "There have been a few times in my life when I've been in trouble and couldn't keep a straight face. Believe you me, acting helps a lot with that." Be Productions in Berkeley broadcasts two shows on the CW channel: "Kids Unlimited" and "Say What?" The office is at 2180 Dwight St., Berkeley. Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/07/PKH3SGCMQ.DTL
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