As part of a new educational program, TCC will provide a platform for students to learn and develop the skills needed to find employment in the film industry. The Fort Worth Film Collaborative is a film workforce development certification program to address the growing need for trained film industry crew in the DFW area. The one-of-a-kind curriculum will provide students a pathway to employment in the film industry.
“This initiative will create a talent pipeline within the Fort Worth film industry,” said Jessica Christopherson, vice president of marketing for Visit Fort Worth and film commissioner for the Fort Worth Film Commission, a division of the tourism organization. “Our goal is to attract projects that will create sustainable job opportunities for locals. We are so fortunate to partner with such enthusiastic, dedicated and creative professionals at TCC, 101 Studios, and within our local film community.”
The Fort Worth Film Commission and Tarrant County College worked with several local entities on this project including Red Productions and Backlot Studios, Out of Order Studios (producers of The Chosen), MPS Studios, and Panavision as well as 101 Studios.
“This way of doing business – with community colleges providing nimble responses to support the expressed needs of industry partners – is how we jointly create sustainable opportunities for our community,” according to Kenya Ayers-Palmore, president of Tarrant County College Northeast. “The Fort Worth Film Collaborative serves as a driver for economic development through job growth in the dynamic and growing film industry in Fort Worth. We are very appreciative to our Texas legislature for their vision in supporting the Texas film industry and facilitating job opportunities through increased incentives for filmmakers to work in Texas. This unprecedented partnership in Texas is truly a game changer as it reflects a new normal for education in Texas with the development of micro credentials and short-term, flexible offerings at the Community College to ensure that our citizens are work ready.”
Film industry classes begin this month at TCC. In addition to core courses, ultimately, there will be three certificates available: Gaffer/Grip, Hair and Makeup and Light Commercial Set Construction. For more information, visit: tccd.college/film.
About The Fort Worth Film Commission
The Fort Worth Film Commission raises the city’s profile and drives economic impact as a champion for local media production. The Film Commission serves as a beacon for Fort Worth’s creative class to provide opportunities to local crew by pitching projects to film in Fort Worth and supports on-the-ground needs of productions such as locations, permitting and more. Since its founding in 2015, the Film Commission has worked with hundreds of projects and driven more than $50 million in economic impact. Project highlights include films such as: A Ghost Story, The Old Man & the Gun, Never Goin’ Back, No Future, Miss Juneteenth and 12 Mighty Orphans. www.FilmFortWorth.com
About Visit Fort Worth
Visit Fort Worth is the official destination marketing organization of the 13th-largest city in the United States, dedicated to promoting Fort Worth as a premier business and leisure destination with thriving centers of creativity, culture and commerce. Visit Fort Worth is the parent organization of The Fort Worth Herd, the Fort Worth Film Commission, Visita Fort Worth, Fort Worth Sports Commission, and music initiative Hear Fort Worth. www.FortWorth.com
About Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College is one of the 20 largest higher education institutions in the United States and boasts the second-lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. As a comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County, and online, TCC offers a wide range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds that include traditional programs, such as Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training programs for area businesses and corporations. Students also may take advantage of Weekend College through which they can complete an associate degree in 18 months or less by attending class full-time through weekend and online classes. www.TCCD.edu