In the dynamic landscape of media production, where skill and adaptability are paramount, Cuyahoga Community College's (Tri-C) Film Academy stands out as a beacon of innovation. Its six-week Film Crew Intensive Training is not just an educational offering; it is a strategic intervention designed to cultivate a cadre of immediately employable film technicians. Tri-C's model presents a compelling case study in how targeted industry-integrated training can directly address workforce needs and foster student success.

Building Local Crew: The Origins of Tri-C's Film Initiative

The genesis of Tri-C's Film Crew Intensive Training can be traced back to 2014. Its creation was a direct response to Ohio's expanding film industry, spurred by the passage of the state’s inaugural film tax incentive in 2009. Recognizing the influx of productions and the subsequent demand for skilled local crew, Bob Bryan, former Executive Director of Tri-C’s Television and Video Services department, spearheaded the initiative. Collaborating closely with the Greater Cleveland Film Commission and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Union Local 209, Bryan envisioned and developed a concentrated filmmaking bootcamp specifically designed to equip individuals with the essential on-set skills needed to support the increasing number of film and television projects choosing Ohio as their production location.

What began as a successful pilot in 2014 has grown into a robust film training initiative. The Film Crew Intensive Training gained significant momentum with its 2017 launch, welcoming actor/producer James Madio (The Penguin, Band of Brothers) as its ongoing Artist in Residence. Supported by the John P. Murphy Foundation, the once-annual intensive has evolved into the Tri-C Film Academy, with expanded offerings including a three-day Production Assistant Workshop and Visual Post-Production for Film, an advanced editing course, as well as responsive one-time classes tailored to current industry demands.

From Classroom to Set: The Hands-On Film Crew Intensive

The six-week Film Crew Intensive Training is not an academic exercise; it is an immersive experience designed to mirror the fast-paced environment of a working film set. Throughout the first five weeks, students are exposed to the technical, creative, and logistical departments that form the backbone of film and television production, including camera, lighting, grip, art, costumes, sound, locations, and the work of the assistant director, through the lens of those who know these roles best: working industry professionals. The training culminates in the production of an original short film in the sixth and final week, during which students are assigned to specific departments to assist their instructors with prep, production, and wrap, earning an IMDb credit and a small paycheck. This practical, real-world experience instills in students the ability to thrive under pressure; to collaborate seamlessly within a team; and to navigate the fluid, often unpredictable, nature of a film shoot. Under the guidance of their professional mentors, students apply the skills they have acquired in a real-world setting, facing the inevitable challenges and triumphs of a working production.

The curriculum is designed in consultation with industry partners to ensure its relevance and alignment with current industry needs. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical concepts, the program emphasizes the practical application of hard and soft skills sought by prospective employers. Students gain proficiency in industry-standard equipment, learn to troubleshoot common on-set challenges, and develop a deep understanding of the workflow and interdependencies of various crew departments. Film Academy staff continually refine criteria for the Film Crew Intensive Training short film, ensuring robust learning experiences in key areas such as on-location filming, set dressing, costume continuity, and background actor wrangling.

Returning instructor Rick Page had this to say after directing the short film in 2023:

The bar is getting higher each time, not just with the quality of the stories and the films, but what is involved with the training. The demands are high, the expectations are there, and I feel like we’re hitting that mark every year. When it came time for the shoot I felt as though we were on a set with regular working professionals. It really impressed me to see how everyone came and brought their A game. It was terrific.

Long-time instructor Jon Andrews teaches sound mixing during the 2014 pilot.

The intensive's short films consistently perform well on the festival circuit, earning accolades both at home and abroad, which in turn amplifies the program's impact and visibility. The Resistance, created during the 2022 intensive, won 14 awards at 10 different festivals worldwide, including Best Drama, Best Actress, Best Editing, and Best Original Score at the Paris Film Awards.

Realizing Potential: How Industry Connections Fuel Student Success

A cornerstone of the Film Academy's success lies in its commitment to connecting students with working industry professionals. In addition to James Madio, the intensive is led by a dynamic roster of experienced cinematographers, gaffers, sound engineers, costume supervisors, set decorators, and assistant directors. Among them are:

• Rick Page (Director of Photography – Brooklyn 99)
• Marlowe Taylor (Sound Mixer – Judas and the Black Messiah, Fear the Walking Dead)
• Leyna Haller (Art Department Lead and IATSE 209 Treasurer – Superman, Shirley)
• Rebecca DeNoewer (Emmy Nominated Costume Supervisor – The Righteous Gemstones)
• Adam White (Camera Operator – Captain America: Winter Soldier, Fate of the Furious)
• Sarah Willgrube (Script Supervisor – Cherry, American Rust)
• Dan Jarrell (Key Grip and IATSE 209 President – True Detective, Ant-Man)

These professionals bring a wealth of practical knowledge and current industry insights directly into the classroom and onto the set. Students benefit from their mentorship, learning not only the technical aspects of filmmaking but also the crucial elements of on-set etiquette, communication, and problem-solving. This mentorship extends beyond technical skills, encompassing career guidance, networking opportunities, and a realistic understanding of the industry landscape. The relationships forged during the intensive often extend beyond the program's duration, providing students with crucial connections for future employment. 

“Looking at the IMDb credits for our instructors and hearing about their experiences made me realize we had the best of the best teaching us,” said Max Weber, a 2024 Film Crew Intensive trainee. “To work hand in hand with them and create a bond was an incredible honor. This course was absolutely the best step I could have taken for my future.”

Many alumni have gone on to work as camera assistants, grips, set dressers, sound mixers, set production assistants, location coordinators, and in various other roles on film and TV productions such as The Batman, Brooklyn 99, Grey’s Anatomy, Judas and the Black Messiah, The Morning Show, NFL Films, Superman, Survivor, and White Noise. Previous students have also found success across the spectrum of corporate and commercial media production, securing positions with local news outlets such as WKYC Channel 3; Cleveland-area production companies like TRG Multimedia and Think Media; and other notable clients, including the Cleveland Browns, Chase Bank, and Ford. Demonstrating both immediate and sustained career impact, the intensive sees roughly 75 percent of its students employed in the field within six months, and those remaining in the film industry typically achieve union membership within two years.

Sam Russell, a 2020 trainee, stated,

I always wanted to work in film but didn’t have connections or a background working in the industry. Taking the six-week film intensive ended up being the most efficient and lucrative educational experience ever, as I now have a full career as a union crew member in the film industry. I couldn’t be happier!

Graduates report feeling well-prepared for the demands of professional film sets, confidently applying the techniques and knowledge gained during their training. Beyond technical proficiency, the program cultivates transferable skills and bolsters self-assurance, fostering personal growth that students can carry into any endeavor.

Alyssa Mason, a 2024 trainee, noted that she did not have the time or resources for a four-year program. “I got to challenge myself, see what I’m capable of, and truly broaden my horizons,” she said. “[The Film Crew Intensive Training] gave me the purpose in life that I was looking for and the confidence and ability to know that I can pursue it.”

The academy serves as a vital catalyst for the burgeoning film industry in Northeast Ohio. By consistently supplying a pipeline of well-trained and highly motivated crew members, Tri-C is instrumental in solidifying the region's reputation as a viable and attractive production hub. This not only creates meaningful career pathways for its graduates but also injects economic vitality into the local community and fosters further growth within the creative sector. According to Adam Wilde, Owner of TRG Multimedia,

Tri-C’s Film Academy empowers students to transform passion into lasting careers. Their commitment to hands-on training doesn’t just benefit companies like ours—it strengthens the entire creative community here in Northeast Ohio and opens real doors for the next generation of storytellers.

By embracing a philosophy of immersive, hands-on learning guided by industry expertise, Tri-C is not just teaching about film; it is actively shaping the future of filmmaking, one career-ready graduate at a time. The Film Crew Intensive Training is a powerful example of how community colleges can be pivotal in bridging the gap between education and industry, fostering student success and a thriving creative economy. The focused energy on the Tri-C set is not just the sound of learning; it is the resonant hum of opportunity being realized.

Lead image: Director Rick Page (left) works with actor Joel McKinnon Miller on the set of the 2020 Film Crew Training short, Snow Globe & the Cat.

Olivia Villasenor is Program Manager, TV and Video Services, at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio.

Opinions expressed in Member Spotlight are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the League for Innovation in the Community College.