Film and Television Training Program Begins at Chattanooga State

CHATTANOOGA - Chattanooga State in cooperation with the Chattanooga Film Commission will launch the new Professional Film & Television Training Program in the coming spring semester and will offer a free preview seminar about the program on Wednesday, January 14, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 125 in the Instructional Materials Center (IMC) Building. The program is designed to train persons for specific technical and craft jobs in the film and television industry.

Missy Crutchfield, administrator of the City of Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture and commissioner of the Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee Film Commission says, “It’s wonderful to see something we’ve worked so hard for finally happen for Chattanooga State. Having a crew base in Chattanooga is essential for film to survive. This will be important for local productions and production companies coming into town. We are proud of Chattanooga State and the local film community and we know this will be a successful program.”
 
Dave Porfiri, the program’s founder and lead instructor says, “Throughout the Southeast, film and television production is on the rise and the opportunities for behind-the-scenes professionals have never been greater. Chattanooga is especially poised for growth in film and television production in the near future because of the newly passed state film incentives, the lower cost of shooting films here compared to a major urban area and because we offer a very unique and fresh backdrop for movies and TV programs. The one missing ingredient at this point is having enough qualified crew personnel locally.”
 
Will McDonald, program coordinator, adds, “The Program is open to anyone interested in pursuing a career behind-the-scenes in film and television production on a full-time or part-time basis. No prior experience is necessary.”
 
For more information contact Melissa Turner at (423) 425-7826.