At Seattle Center’s M5 Creative Studios, a powerhouse collaboration unfolded between Glazers Camera, Elite Collective, and Converge Media—bringing together seasoned media professionals and rising creatives for a day of hands-on training, storytelling, and community-building.

Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa, stepped in during her show leave to conduct two impactful interviews—one with Rena Butler, the choreographer behind Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “Cracks,” and another with Lewis Rudd, CEO of Ezell’s Famous Chicken and a leader in Seattle’s Black business community.

While the interviews were a highlight, the day was designed as a “real-life classroom.” Carlos Imani, co-founder of Elite Collective, walked participants through various broadcast setups—from quick two-camera shoots to full four-camera interview environments—giving attendees insight into how professional content is produced.

Omari Salisbury, co-founder of Converge Media emphasized the event’s deeper purpose: “The equipment is always evolving. Opportunities like this give people a space to learn and grow—no matter where they are in their journey.”

For aspiring filmmakers and media professionals, this wasn’t just a production set—it was a launchpad. With Glazers providing high-end gear, and seasoned hosts like Besa offering live demonstration, the day bridged access and opportunity in powerful ways.

Events like these underscore the impact of intentional collaboration. And for everyone involved, it was more than a shoot—it was a step toward a more inclusive creative economy.