Communications

External Affairs Division

Registration Now Open For Spring 2016 at The Georgia Film Academy

Atlanta — December 7, 2015

Georgians who want to get on the fast track to a career in professional filmmaking can now enroll in pilot classes for the Georgia Film Academy’s inaugural semester.

The Georgia Film Academy (GFA), a unique-in-the-nation, statewide effort to train Georgians for lucrative jobs in the film industry, will begin offering classes in January, in partnership with the University System of Georgia (USG) and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).

“In response to the tremendous growth in the industry, Governor Nathan Deal and the State of Georgia have initiated an unprecedented, cooperative effort among all higher education institutions to deliver an industry-recognized, professional training program,” said Jeffrey Stepakoff, executive director, Georgia Film Academy. “On-set film workers are needed, but even entry-level jobs require a very specific set of skills. The Georgia Film Academy certification puts students on the fast track to gainful employment.”

The GFA’s pilot certification program is comprised of two courses specifically designed to provide students with on-set film production skills:

  • The first course combines classroom instruction and hands-on experience with industry standard equipment.
  • The second course is a semester on-set, where students learn and hone their craft while working on the crew of a professional production.

“We’ve seen a great level of interest in the Georgia Film Academy from potential students and anticipate these classes will fill quickly,” said Matt Arthur, Deputy Commissioner for the Technical College System of Georgia. “The Georgia Film Academy gives us a collaborative framework to fill the needs of Georgia’s film industry, while training students for a productive, rewarding career.”

The Georgia Film Academy pilot classes are available to current USG and TCSG students as well as non-students. Initially, these GFA courses will be offered on the campuses of Clayton State University, Columbus State University and Gwinnett Technical College. There are plans to expand the courses to additional campuses, as well as Pinewood Studios, in Fayetteville, in the near future.

Space is limited for the the Spring 2016 semester, but there are plans to expand the program in the Fall. For more information on registration, or to learn more about the Georgia Film Academy, please visit georgiafilmacademy.org.

The Georgia Film Academy is a collaborative effort of the USG and TCSG supporting workforce needs of Georgia’s burgeoning film and digital entertainment industries. The academy 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 and to remain in the state.

« News Releases