On Thursday, January 15, 2009, at 6 PM, the New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Threatre and Broadcasting will be hosting a panel presentation on the trials and tribulations of a "production assistant."
Here are the details:
Young New Yorkers can hear about the experiences of "Made in NY" PAs
at an upcoming panel. Photo courtesy of the MOFTB and BWI.
January 6, 2009 - On Thursday, January 15, 2009, the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting and Brooklyn Workforce Innovations will present "Made in NY" Production Assistants: A Peer to Peer Discussion at the NYC College of Technology in Brooklyn at 6 pm. The panel will offer first hand accounts from young New Yorkers who have started careers in TV and film production with the help of the "Made in NY" Production Assistant Training Program, which provides job training for those otherwise lacking access to the production industry. The panel is free and open to the public.
Developed in partnership between the MOFTB and nonprofit Brooklyn Workforce Innovations, the mission of the "Made in NY" PA Training Program is to give unemployed and low-income New Yorkers the chance to work on New York sets and build careers in the dynamic field of entertainment. PAs go through a free, intensive four-week skills training program taught by NY industry professionals. After certification, "Made in NY" PAs receive two years of job placement and career advancement support.
Since its launch in 2006, the program has certified 149 PAs who have worked on productions such as "America's Next Top Model;" "Fringe;" "Gossip Girl;" "I Want to Work for Diddy;" Brooklyn's Finest; New York, I Love You; Spider-Man 3; and The Taking of Pelham 123.
"The program definitely changed the direction of my life," said Maya Thomas, a certified "Made in NY" PA now working on commercials and television. "I knew I could do it, but before I just saw doors closing. It's easier to walk through the doors when people believe in you. I've faced a lot of obstacles. The staff has supported me to keep going forward."
"Made in NY" Production Assistants: A Peer to Peer Discussion will feature a panel of "Made in NY" PAs who will talk about their experiences working in the entertainment industry and the opportunities that have received through their training. The discussion is moderated by Commissioner Katherine Oliver.
"New York City is home to a thriving production industry, employing 100,000 New Yorkers and generating $5 billion to our economy each year," said Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. "Our office is committed to attracting new production business and creating new jobs through the 'Made in NY' program. At the same time, we are working to ensure that a diverse group of New Yorkers have access to these positions through initiatives like the 'Made in NY' PA Training Program. We've also launched a new PSA campaign thanking New Yorkers for hosting production throughout the five boroughs." For more information about these programs, visit http://www.nyc.gov/film .
"We know there are many young New Yorkers ready to work hard and make their contribution to the industry, but they don't know where to start," said Katy Finch, the program's director. "If you think a career in film might be right for you, we encourage you to come to the panel." BWI provides two years of job placement and career counseling to certified "Made in NY" PAs, so they can not only find their first jobs, but move up the career ladder. For more information about BWI and the "Made in NY" PA Training Program, visit http://www.bwiny.org/ .
The panel begins at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. RSVP to message@film.nyc.gov by Tuesday, January 13, 2009. The panel will take place at the NYC College of Technology, Atrium Amphitheater, Room AG30, located on Tillary Street, between Adams Street and Jay Street, Brooklyn.