Southern University at Shreveport will offer free classes in film accounting (Nov. 3-25) and production assistant training (Nov. 14-15 or Nov. 21-22). The courses aim to give students exposure to the basics of the movie business.
The film accounting course will focus the day-to-day operations of production accounting. Students will learn about accounting procedures, preparing payroll, production accounting software and preparing weekly cost reports. The course meets Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The production assistant boot camp course will cover the day-to-day operations of a movie set. Students will learn about set communication and set control. The course meets 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Both courses will also offer assistance in resume writing, applying for jobs and “dressing for success.” Students will also learn about set etiquette.
All courses will take place at the SUSLA Metro Center, 610 Texas St., in downtown Shreveport.
They are being presented in conjunction with CERT, the City of Shreveport, SUSLA’s Division of Community and Workforce Development, Louisiana Production Consultants, and Millennium Films.
To register, call (318) 670-6669.
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4 comments:
(had to re-edit, sorry lol)
i'm all for local colleges (and production types) wanting to "school" aspiring film workers ... but i was talking to a few of my friends (like me) who hold degrees and have held jobs in production (for YEARS) and WE can't get jobs!
so should i just attend these kinds of classes just to network? (because I've already worked in production acctng and as a p.a.)
i've contacted the film commission (arlena has stopped answering my calls and e-mails) and have used my connex from past jobs (cuz it's not WHAT you know but WHO you know) ... the only person that calls me faithfully for jobs is Ryan Glorioso. (and i don't want to be IN FRONT of the camera).
i've started working on indie films just to get experience ... what the city (and schools) need to do is hold a seminar on how to FIND a job for those of us who are ALREADY TRAINED and are degreed professionals ...
i've discovered that regardless of the rise in the film industry here, those of us who truly want the non-union jobs (union = construction, electric, grip, etc.) have no open door and no assistance from the so-called film commission ..
it's making me re-think my staying in this area.
if you can't even get a job in your hometown that doesn't require a medical degree, an ABO card, or factory experience ... you're SOL.
i tried to stay here in my hometown to wait for studios to start hiring but it seems i'm going to have to go where the jobs are ... the film commission has seriously let me down.
how bout a story on that??? lol
Arlena's office probably isn't going to be able to directly help you get jobs in the industry. That's not their role, really. They focus on getting the productions here, location permitting, city promotion, region promotion, etc.
It's better to work through Clare France at the Robinson Film Center, a film industry liaison that has more information about the production hiring climate.
Regarding these classes, every little bit of training you get helps. Getting experience on indie film is great, too, because it keeps you working. (La. Production Consultants and Millennium are sponsoring these classes, so you can conceivable make connections there, yes.)
I think, like any industry, you have to narrow the focus of the job search. Camera? Lighting? Electrical? Make-up? Your way into to production jobs is making connections with dept. heads who hire teams for their respective departments.
If you already have training, just make certain the right people know about your specific skills.
Research local production companies and vendors, and ask them directly if they have any openings.
I understand your frustration right now, especially as production has slowed down of late. (It's the holiday season and traditionally, production has sped up at the turn of the year.)
You also should understand that local production companies only hire when there is work. There's not a huge amount of perennial office jobs out there. Lots of temp. hire stuff.
Shreveport is going to go through a lot of ebbs and flows. We're never going to be as busy as Hollywood or New York, but you're likely competing with less people per job, on average.
If you're going to stay here, just remain persistent and keep your name in front of producers'/prod. heads' faces.
If you're going to go, make sure you're going to a place where you have good leads.
i was in constant contact with claire france when i was taking courses at bpcc. same result.
every time i see a movie coming i'm e-mailing, faxing and mailing resumes (i'm one step from stalking or camping out).
most of the classes they are offering i already have experience so it's pretty redundant.
i only apply for p.a. jobs (so i can be on set) and director's assistant or producer's assistant because that is what i'm interested in doing.
if i was doing something more technical (like lighting, camera, etc), i'd join a union and probably keep a job like the rest of the boys lol.
it's hard to find out who deparatment heads are when the person assisting you (the film commission) doesn't give any leads. and the production companies only give a fax number or e-mail to contact them. do i flood the fax machine and inbox and then run the risk of being blackballed? lol
and it's not just right now, i know things are slow right now but i've applied to over half a dozen in shreveport (and even more down south) ... and i know this is just hollywood SOUTH but when they put in the media they'll hire locals and only really hire who they know (or who they see fits the mold) it's disheartening.
any word on when the millenium films studio will open??
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