Television Academy Foundation Pacts With Best Buy to Launch Production Assistant Training Program for Los Angeles Area High School Students
The Television Academy Foundation and Best Buy are launching a free, 10-week after-school production assistant training programme for Los Angeles-area high school students. It aims to give young people, particularly those from underserved communities, practical routes into television and entertainment careers behind the scenes.
The programme will run at YMCA facilities in Boyle Heights and Long Beach, with industry instruction, mentorship and visits to scripted and unscripted productions. Students will learn about entry-level roles including production assistant, coordinator, assistant director and production accountant; Television Academy governor Donny Hugo Herran, an executive with 20 years’ experience, will lead the first course.
In short
- Best Buy is funding a free 10-week programme for local high school students.
- Training covers behind-the-scenes television roles and production visits.
- Classes will be held at YMCA sites in Boyle Heights and Long Beach.
Explained simply
Television productions rely on crews working behind the scenes as well as performers and directors. Entry-level jobs can include helping organise a set, supporting the production office or keeping track of schedules and costs; these roles can offer a way to learn how the industry works.
The Television Academy Foundation is the charitable arm of the organisation behind the Emmy Awards, and Best Buy is a US electronics retailer that also supports community programmes. Training and mentoring can help students who have had fewer chances to meet industry professionals understand the skills and routes involved in television work.
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