Free film training workshop

The Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission announces the scheduling of its second fee-free city/county-funded crew training workshops, “Inside the Production Office: How to be an Office Production Assistant: 101.” The Benjamin C. Hooks Central Library is an additional sponsor. The two-day, intensive workshop will be held at the Central Library all day Saturday, June 28th, and Sunday afternoon, June 29th.

The Commission Selection Committee will offer 30 class positions to legal residents of Memphis or Shelby County. Immediate availability to become a crew member, proven prior interest in film and television through studies and/or production work, and computer proficiency will enhance applications. A strong letter of recommendation is essential. Deadline for submission is the end of the business day June 20th. Those interested in applying should go to www.memphisfilmcomm.org to download the application form. (Minimum age for application is 18 years of age.)

The workshop will offer an introduction to what is really the hub or “nerve center” of any movie or large television show – the production office, where a team of close-knit office workers provides the support which holds a production together and moves it forward, day by day. Positions ranging from office production assistant to office production coordinator will be explained and illustrated against a general context of the workings of the film industry.

The workshop leader will be industry veteran Anne (“Andi”) McCaffrey, production supervisor on 20th Century Fox Television’s “Southern Comfort,” shot in Memphis in 2006. McCaffrey came to know Memphis well during her months living here while filming. According to McCaffrey, “I feel as though I started training Memphians back then … on the job … as I found the production office personnel available in Memphis to be inexperienced, although very eager to learn. I welcome the opportunity to return to what has become one of my favorite production cities!”

Successful graduates of “Inside the Production Office” will be qualified to receive a listing as an “office production assistant” in the next Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission Production Directory. Moreover, graduates will be given priority consideration in selection for hiring through the Commission’s crew trainee program which provides partial refunds of crew trainee’s salaries to major film employers.

For more information, call The Commission Offices at 901-527-8300, ext. 3 or email linn@memphisfilmcomm.org