In summer 2011, The Avengers assembled in the downtown streets of Cleveland, leaving skyscrapers destroyed and streets reduced to gravel.
But when Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and The Hulk needed a short break from the action, the feared foursome would transform back into Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo …
… until the film crew readied the lights for the next shot.
With more big Hollywood films like “The Avengers” and “The Ides of March” rolling production trucks into the Buckeye State, the University of Toledo will offer Film Crew Training courses this summer to prepare Ohioans for growing job opportunities in the local film industry.
In a partnership with Michigan-based trade school The Center for Film Studies, UT will offer three six-week courses, each specializing in different entry-level film production jobs.
Camera and Audio Training is the first class, Grip Training is the second and Production Training is the third. Each of the six-week courses will take place on UT’s Main Campus in the Center for Performing Arts from June 25 to July 27. Students can select from sessions at 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. or from 5:30-10 p.m.
James Hill, chair of the Department of Theatre and Film at UT, said each course will give the participants a specific skill set that will make them valuable for when studios both large and small come looking for trained crewmembers.
“Ohio legislatures do offer tax incentives to both independent and major studios. One of the requirements is the need to employ people from Ohio,” Hill said. “So, they’re looking for experienced and well-trained crewmembers.”
The camera and audio course will focus primarily on equipment, cinematography and terminology and boom operation while the grip training will teach students how to behave on a live set. Hill said students will “learn manners and protocols” on a film set, as well as how to move scenery, furniture, cameras and any other piece of equipment used in a production.
The third course, production training, is the more advanced of the three courses. Hill said this course will deal with logistics like time management and how to set-up for a shot.
The Center for Film Studies approached UT because they wanted to branch into Ohio. Because UT has a good film program, Hill said the university decided it would try it.
While classes will be given inside UT’s Center for Performing Arts, Hill said all courses will be taught by Center for Film Studies staff.
In a news release, Betty Anzaldua, program director for UT, said the courses are very important for the area because of the rise in the number of Hollywood productions coming to Ohio.
“We look at the classes we will be offering as providing an outstanding career path in a real growth industry in Toledo and throughout our region,” Anzaldua said. “There are hundreds of jobs available in our region which graduates of our Film Crew Training classes will compete for while participating in a job that promotes our area worldwide.”
Ohio offers many tax incentives for both independent and major film productions that come to the state, with one being that the studios hire local crewmembers.
In the news release, Anzaldua estimated the beginning pay of program graduates ranges anywhere from $15 to $25 an hour.
The fee for each course is $3,650, but Hill said there are many different forms of financial assistance for those who qualify.
“You can get funding through the Workforce Development Program,” Hill said. “Financial aid is also available but you will not be going through the University of Toledo, you’ll be going through the Center for Film Studies. It may be expensive but it can pay back well in a short time.”
For more information or to sign up for UT’s Film Crew Training courses, call 1 (877) 387-1112, email info@uoftfilm.com or visit www.universityoftoledofilm.com.
