With the writer’s strike in the rearview mirror, more Hollywood film companies will soon be in-bound, encouraged by Arizona’s film production tax credit. So YC is bringing back a unique training program to have qualified film crews ready when they get here. Yavapai College’s School of Film & Media Arts is reviving its Film & Television Production (PA) certification program, Monday-Friday, Oct. 2 - 6, on the Prescott Campus.

Arizona’s gorgeous desert vistas have always made it alluring to filmmakers. The 2022 passage of the Arizona Film Tax Credit made Arizona affordable, as well. Last Spring, Arizona Film & Digital Media, a program of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) launched a statewide Production Assistant training as part of its new FILM READY Crew Initiative. Yavapai College joined a consortium of community colleges to train local crews. The response was so amazing, Yavapai College is bringing it back again.

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. The program, which involves multiple community colleges statewide, is expected to train more than 2,000 production assistants over the next five years.

“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, Oct. 2 through Oct. 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is $35. The program is open to all Yavapai County residents and about 15 slots remain. To register for the program, or learn more about Arizona’s Film-Ready initiatives, please visit:

www.azcommerce.com/film-media/training-opportunities/

Yavapai College operates six campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, a baccalaureate degree, student and community services, and cultural events and activities.

To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.