Film Industry Training Overview

Next Class: September 13 – September 23, 2010

Week 1: Monday – Thursday (5:30pm-9:30pm), and Saturday (8:00am-4:00pm)

Week 2: Monday – Thursday (5:30pm-9:30pm)

This class is designed as an in-depth exploration of potential employment opportunities in the Feature Film, Television, Commercial, and Digital Media fields. The State of Michigan’s new tax incentives are attracting many film and television projects to the State; this class will serve as a guide to the thousands of jobs being created in these industries, with an emphasis on the practical strategies necessary to pursue careers in these fields.

FIT The Film Industry Training Program offers students the ability to develop the skills required to become qualified crew members on a feature film, television, and commercial production. In addition to 40 hours of classroom time, graduates can be placed in a 10 hour film production or industry related internship as part of this program. After the initial 10 hour internship, there may be additional internship or job placement assistance based upon previous internship performance. This class is recommended as the initial class to become involved and employed in Michigan’s rapidly growing feature film industry. It is recommended that following successful completion of this Overview Class, students enroll in one of the job specific classes.

The class begins with an overview of the Hollywood and Independent Film Production Model and Organizational Chart, so students can understand how films are made. We then delve into each major production department, including Production (Producing, Production Managing, Coordinating, PA), Casting, Location (Scouting and Managing), Camera (Loading, Assisting, Operating, Video Assist Operator, Data Manager), Sound (Mixer, Boom Operator), Grip and Electric (Dolly, Crane, Rigger, Gaffer, Best Boy, Electric), Art Department (Props, Dressers, Set Builders, Carpenters, Painters), Stylists (Wardrobe, Hair, Make-up), Transportation and Support Services, as well as Editing, Mixing, Digital Effects and Post-Production.

Students will learn from working industry professionals in each of these departments, developing a thorough understanding of each department on a production, of the job descriptions, required skill sets, and points of entry into each field. Students will also participate in a “model” digital production at FIT’s facilities, working side by side with industry professionals in order to understand the film making process and to gain hands-on experience. Students will have access to FIT’s extensive inventory of lighting, grip, and specialty equipment.

The Film Industry Overview Class is taught in 40 hours, over a two-week period. Classes are held at the FIT Studio Classroom with hands-on access to the largest inventory of Film Production Equipment in the State of Michigan, located at 1100 Woodward Heights in Ferndale, Michigan.