OCC helps students gear up for the film industry

Filmmaker Larry August is helping OCC students prepare for the film industry here in Michigan.

Excerpt:

A Detroit-area native, filmmaker Larry August wanted to help his economically challenged hometown, a task that became considerably easier last year after Michigan passed tax incentives to attract the film industry.

To prepare locals for entry-level movie jobs, August helped launch the Film Industry Training program (FIT) at nearby Oakland Community College -- training that requires 40 hours of classwork over two weeks, with instruction held at night to accommodate those transitioning from traditional day jobs.

For now, the program focuses on just four areas: grip and electric, art department, industry overview and production accounting. All but accounting culminate in an additional eight-hour, weekend production shoot.

Read the entire article here.
Enjoy this story? Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.