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The city is taking applications now for two days of free training for individuals to work behind the scenes in the city's burgeoning film industry.
The October session will train folks to become film production assistants. It's an entry-level position in the business.
"Production assistants really do anything...running copies, interpreting scripts and one-liners. They're really just the hands on the ground on the set and in the office," says Katie Williams, Director of Film New Orleans in the mayor's Office of Cultural Economy. "They really learn the ins and outs of production. And, they're the lifeblood of a film set."
She says it's a great way to break into the business.
"It's an introductory position into the film industry, so it's a really great entry port for people who are wishing to start careers in the film industry, whether that's on television, or films or even commercial projects that film in the city."
She says training locals to get into the business is also good business for the city.
"Having an opportunity to grow that workforce from the ground up with our local citizens is a great way to keep the productions coming back," says Williams.
And, she says, it also cultivates the local film industry as a sustainable part of the local economy.
The workshop will take place October 20-21 at Second Line Stages, at 800 Richard Street, in the Warehouse District.
The training will include practical on-set skill development, career development advice and job placement assistance for area productions. It will be staffed by seasoned instructors from the film-industry training academy, P.A. Bootcamp.
The October P.A. training will be open to 30 participants, who must be residents of Orleans parish and 18 or older to apply.
Applicants should send a recent resume and cover letter to workforce@novacvideo.org.
The deadline to apply for the free training is Friday, October 5th.
For more information, click on the link below or call 504-940-5780.
More intensive training will soon be available in St. Charles Parish.
Quixote Studios, a Los Angeles-based production services company, is breaking ground on a $15 million sound stage and "film campus'' project in St. Rose.
The first two phases are scheduled for completion in early 2013 and include two stages with 30,000 square feet of space.
Quixote opened a studio shop in New Orleans last year and recently moved to the St. Rose location.
The second phase entails two more 30,000-square-foot stages and is expected to be complete in 2014.
The company hopes to eventually land a long-term television show.
