Virginia Film Office and Virginia Western Community College collaborate on
Film Industry Training Program for Southwest Virginia
~Two-day seminar scheduled for October 17 and 18 ~
RICHMOND –The Virginia Film Office in partnership with the Virginia Western Community College recently announced that a film industry training seminar will be held October 17 and 18 at the Greenfield Education and Training Center in Daleville, Virginia. A part of the Virginia Film Office’s workforce training initiative, the class will provide essential training for anyone interested in starting a career in film, television or commercial production. A job as a Production Assistant is an entry-level position in the film industry, and is usually the first step for those who are seriously interested in a professional career.
The course was created in response to Governor Terry McAuliffe’s Executive Order 23, in which he supports workforce initiatives that provide Virginia workers with skills, training and education necessary to sustain and grow Virginia’s economy. In accordance with this order, the Virginia Film Office has been partnering with the Virginia Community College system to provide training opportunities for film industry workers. Beginning and advanced Production Assistant training seminars, and a costume and wardrobe seminar have previously been held in Richmond and the training is now expanding to other areas of the state.
Participants in the Film and Television Production Seminar will be taught the essential responsibilities of an effective Production Assistant and will gain valuable insights about on-set etiquette and protocol from seasoned filmmakers. The course will also contain information about the motion picture industry, who’s who on a film set, film set language, how to create an effective resume, ways to search for a job, and techniques for a successful job interview.
The training program will be led by Scott Carter, a Virginia-based Assistant Director and actor whose credits include Lake City, The Book of Ruth: Journey of Faith, The New Daughter and America’s Most Wanted. He will be joined by Scotty Curley, Assistant Professor of Cinematic Arts at Liberty University and founder and Executive Producer of Red Cloud Productions and Glorianna Wills, who most recently worked as First Assistant Director for Shooting the Prodigal. The seminar was developed by Gary Fiorelli, an accomplished Assistant Director for film and television projects which include the television series Sons of Anarchy, ABC’s drama Mistresses and Point of Honor, produced by ABC for AmazonPrime. His film credits include Pirates of the Caribbean, Blades of Glory and the Virginia-based Lifetime movie Unanswered Prayers.
“Many exciting projects have filmed in Virginia recently including feature films like Lincoln and Big Stone Gap, and television series such as the AMC network series Turn: Washington’s Spies and the new PBS series Mercy Street” said Andy Edmunds, Virginia Film Office Director. “Virginia’s film and television industry is growing, and we are looking for trained and committed people who are interested in growing with it.”
The film industry plays a significant role in the state's economy. In 2013, the total economic impact of the film and television production in Virginia was $383 million with 3396 jobs attributable to the industry.
The Film and Television Production Seminar will be held at the Greenfield Education and Training Center in Dalefield Virginia, off Interstate 81 near Roanoke. The cost for the two-day course is $125. Students, veterans and Virginia Production Alliance members can take the class for $75. Enrollment is now open and students can register online at www.virginiawestern.edu. For information about the course and enrollment procedures call 540-966-3984.
CONTACT:
Anne Chapman, Workforce Development Liaison
804.921.5252
annechapmancasting@gmail.com
Cassandra P. Dove: Workforce Operations & WES Systems Supervisor