Seminar: Training Day

In 2002, at the 74th Academy Awards, Denzel Washington became only the second Black male performer, after Sidney Poitier, to win Best Actor for his iconic role as Detective Alonzo Harris. 

3 years earlier, the inspiration for his character, Officer Rafael Pérez, was arrested and ended up being the central figure in the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the LAPD. 

In this seminar, Programming and Outreach Coordinator Billy Thegenus will explain how director Antoine Fuqua and screenwriter David Ayer crafted an authentic story told with real people and filmed in some of the most infamous neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

About Billy Thegenus

Billy Thegenus is the Programming and Outreach Coordinator at the Coolidge Corner Theatre and assists with audience engagement and programming efforts. Billy works collaboratively with the staff, board members, guests, community leaders, and student groups to help the Coolidge fulfill its mission of building a community through film culture. He has been with the Coolidge since 2017 and has worked as a member of the box office staff and projection team. He also works at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge and has contributed to their blog, Film Notes. Additionally, Billy has volunteered for the Independent Film Festival of Boston since 2012 as an events coordinator and a film juror. Previously, Billy has worked as a Research Assistant at both MIT and Harvard University. He received a B.A. in Communication and Journalism from Suffolk University.