Last year, Atlanta Technical College (ATC) President Dr. Victoria Seals signed an agreement with the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) to increase educational and professional opportunities for ATC’s students. The GFA Program provides students professional training in the film production crafts as well as opportunity to earn credits towards their Associate’s Degree at ATC.
“Over the last decade, Atlanta has become known as the ‘Hollywood of the South,” said Dr. Seals. “We are extremely proud of our partnership with Georgia Film Academy and are working together to ensure ATC students have every opportunity for success in our dynamic film industry. We know that the future is bright for this particular sector of the economy, and we are very encouraged by the interest in our inaugural courses. This is truly just the beginning as we transform lives through the power of technical of education with the help of outstanding partners like the Georgia Film Academy.”
After overwhelming demand for the inaugural courses this past January, ATC and GFA are currently working together to add additional courses for the remainder of the year.
The GFA is a collaborative effort of the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia supporting workforce needs of the film and digital entertainment industries. Upon completion, GFA will certify workforce ready employees in needed areas, connect students and prospective employees with employers, and offer a unique capstone experience for top students that will provide them a path to employment in Georgia. These courses are designed to provide invaluable hands-on experience while allowing students the opportunity to network, build resumes, and become integrated in the industry as entry-level workers.
“The Georgia Film Academy is excited about our new partnership with Atlanta Technical College,” said Wendy Quinn, GFA’s Academic Program Manager. “We were very impressed with the registration turnout and the enthusiasm of the Atlanta Tech students who began classes at the GFA Pinewood Atlanta Studios site in January. Through ATC’s Continuing Education Department, Georgians have a unique and world-class opportunity to earn their GFA Film & Television Production Certification which will train them to be ready to enter the workforce as a film and television crew member.”
The GFA is a unique-in-the-nation, state-wide effort which will provide students with:
- Multi-disciplinary training by professionals in the film, TV and new media industries.
- In classroom course work coupled with on-set, hands-on training.
- Opportunity to work on “real world” projects in order to develop recognized film credits, through partnerships with professional productions.
- Hands-on instruction and training, working with a package of professional equipment (cameras, sound gear, lights, etc.) as well as production trucks, generators and sound studio space.
- One-on-one job counselling to include resume preparation, job research, and job placement outreach.
Entry-level positions both on set and in production offices include on set production assistant, video assistant, camera operator, camera assistants (1st and 2nd), hair/make-up/wardrobe procedures, craft services, and location manager, among other roles.
