Graduates and instructors of the "Made in NY" PA Training Program's 5th Cycle

By Kwame Patterson
March 1, 2007 - The “Made in NY” Production Assistant Training Program celebrated its one-year anniversary last month by graduating its fifth cycle of participants.

In February, Brooklyn Workforce Innovations and the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting certified 14 trained “Made in NY” PAs. The mission of the “Made in NY” PA training program is to provide individuals from diverse communities with training for entry-level positions in film production and access to employers in New York City's film industry, and to teach production assistants how to work collaboratively with local communities when they shoot on location throughout the five boroughs.

In order to become a certified “Made in NY” Production Assistant, you must successfully complete BWI's Production Careers Training Course. The Training Course is a free four week full-time training course covering hard and soft skills. This course is offered four times per year. BWI's employer vetted curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience and site visits to actual workplaces and is taught by experienced production industry professionals.

“Made in NY” PAs are selected through a competitive admissions process and complete an intensive four-week skills training program taught by NY industry professionals. Before certification, trainees prove themselves by working on actual productions. Every “Made in NY” PA is a licensed driver trained for both set and office PA work.

Since the program was launched in 2006, “Made in NY” PAs worked on more than 100 productions, and filled 22 staff PA positions on feature films and episodics according to Tracy Anderson, Program Director for Brooklyn Workforce Innovations.

Cycle 5’s graduates will now go into the history books as the first 2007 crew. Amid their tears and laughter, the consensus was that the program has given them the chance of a lifetime.  PA graduate George Easley, 30, of Washington Heights said he is honored to finally have the opportunity to work on the same film shoots he sees every day around New York City.  “To see people work on film sets is one thing, but to actually work on it is another for people from some of the city’s impoverished communities,” said Easley. “This program finally gives us an opportunity of experience.”

During the graduation, Katy Finch, lead instructor and training manager for the program reminded graduates that “Made in NY” PAs have a leg up in the industry. “Remember you’re already ahead of the game,” she said. “A lot of PAs don’t have the skills, training, connections and support you all have.”  She proved her point after excusing herself from the ceremony to take a phone call from a first assistant director interested in hiring “Made in NY” PAs for an upcoming production in the city. “That’s totally how it happens. You don’t know when or where the phone will ring. In two minutes you can get a job,” said Finch.

All of the graduates worked on productions in order to complete their training. Some of the participants landed paid jobs while they were still in training.  Graduate Joanne “Smiley” Roseme from Brooklyn reported to work at 2:30 a.m. to complete her on-the-job training assignment on an International House of Pancakes shoot. “I was excited because it was my first chance to be on a set,” she said.

Anthony Palmini, another Cycle 5 graduate from the Bronx, began working the Monday after graduation as an office PA for the television pilot "Gossip Girls." “It’s a great start and it wouldn’t have been possible without the experience we learned in the “Made in NY” training program. I’m recommending it to everyone I know.”

Graduate and Flatbush resident Desmond Gooding has already started working as an assistant locations manager for an upcoming film called The Project. Charged with scouting locations in Brooklyn, Gooding said he wants to be able to share what he sees every day on film.

“The success of the graduates of this program is a testament not only to the extraordinary training and career development support that Brooklyn Workforce Innovations is providing, but also to the City's success in attracting new business to create jobs for New Yorkers,” said Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. “The talented graduate pool of this program is creating an even stronger crew base which will continue to bring business to the City and ensure that productions work collaboratively when shooting on location.”

The next “Made in NY” Production Assistant Training cycle begins in April. If you are interested in applying for the program, please email your full name, mailing address and email address to productioncareers@fifthave.org. In the Subject Line enter: “Made in NY” PA Training Program. You will receive an email from BWI with information on program eligibility requirements and how to apply. The deadline for applying for the April training cycle is March 16. Additional trainings will be held this summer and fall.