Arizona’s new film production tax credit continues to draw motion picture crews to the state, and community colleges have partnered with the state film commission to offer a program that provides local jobs and qualified personnel when they get here. Yavapai College’s School of Film & Media Arts is offering a free Film and Television Production Assistant (PA) certification program, Monday-Friday, April 24 – 28, on the Prescott Campus.

Great scenery and lower production costs are bringing film companies to Arizona. But the state needs a deeper talent base to keep them coming. That’s why Arizona Film & Digital Media, a program of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) launched a statewide PA training this year as part of its new Arizona FILM READY Crew Initiative. Yavapai College joins a consortium of Arizona community college film programs to train local talent for jobs as film production assistants.

The five-day The Film & Television Production Assistant Intensive curriculum, developed and instructed by veteran AZ-based Line Producer Rochelle Savory, teaches the critical skills and responsibilities needed to work as an assistant in all film production departments. Graduates will earn a certificate validated by the Commerce Authority and Yavapai College. YC’s School of Film & Media Arts also plans to incorporate these educational resources into future certification.  Visit this link for more information.

“This initiative will be a big boost for Arizona,” Director of Arizona Film & Digital Media Matthew Earl Jones said. The program – which also includes Glendale Community College, Coconino Community College, Scottsdale Community College and Pima Community College – is expected to train more than 2,000 production assistants over the next five years. “We’re excited,” Jones said, “and we’re supporting other colleges as they collaborate to develop this new workforce.”

“Creating a pool of qualified Production Assistants is vital to the film industry in Arizona.” YC School of Film & Media Arts Director Helen Stephenson explained. “Studios are happy to fly in their top actors and crew, but adding travel and lodging for Production Assistants is cost-prohibitive. The Arizona Film Commissioner is working with FMA and other community colleges to train these PA’s and create ‘production ready’ areas all across our beautiful state.”

YC’s Film & Television Production Assistant Intensive will be held at various locations around the Prescott Campus, April 24 - 28. It is open to all Yavapai County residents and a few slots remain. To register for the program, or learn more about Arizona’s Film-Ready initiatives, please visit this link.