Centennial College, Seneca College, and Fanshawe College have teamed up to offer a suite of eight micro-credentials focused on film and television. This first-of-its-kind partnership allows learners to strengthen their skills in a high-demand industry, reassuring them that the knowledge they obtain through the lessons that industry professionals teach is up-to-date and practical.
Micro-credentials are qualifications that require a shorter amount of time to complete compared to full-time courses or programs. However, the lessons you take away from a micro-credential are concrete and hands-on, which can offer the confidence you need to enter or progress in your industry with a toolkit of hard and soft skills at your disposal.
While the eight micro-credentials are disbursed among the colleges, the Story Arts Centre will offer two, Grip and Lighting and Film and Television Production Accounting Basic Skills.
THE ORIGINS OF THE PARTNERSHIP
The Dean of the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design (SCMAD), Nate Horowitz, proposed the idea of the three colleges working together as the film and television industry is booming. “It is one of the projects I am really proud of, among the many other projects we are involved in, because I thought this is what is going to help our students and graduates, and that is, ultimately, what it is all about,” Nate shares.
This partnership also helps open the door to more Ontario colleges collaborating in the future, as Nate explains that the organization he is part of called HOMAD, or the Heads of Media and Design Ontario, can provide the opportunity for Deans and Chairs from colleges across the province to discuss how to expand the circle to include more colleges.
This partnership came to life through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities Challenge Fund and industry support from Avid, The Stratagem Group, and Unity.
THE BENEFITS
When reflecting on the micro-credentials themselves, Nate says, “They are going to help the economy because the film industry is huge right now in Ontario, and it keeps growing. We can make a difference because the colleges are set to provide the people that the industry needs right now.”
Former Chair of Communications and Media at Centennial, Barry Waite, also shares similar sentiments, as he says, “Our focus is on is training students for career success, and we are also looking at developing shorter, rapid training programs through things like micro-credentials that allow students to upskill.”
He continues, “For instance, a student who may have graduated from Centennial or somewhere else who has some experience working on a film set may want to learn more about working as an Assistant Grip or working in the lighting department. They can do this shorter-term course and get some intensive training in that area. Not everybody can do a three-year program or a one-year postgraduate certificate, and this suite of micro-credentials developed through the three colleges offers shorter-term training that people can take advantage of.”
The Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Art and Design at Seneca College, Kurt Muller, also acknowledges how each micro-credential can assist those looking to progress their career in this industry. “This suite of micro-credentials gives students a real advantage in developing the skills that will lead them to employment in Ontario’s screen-based industries. We’re working with industry leaders to offer training on the platforms and technologies that are being used in film and television right now, meaning graduates of these courses will emerge ready to immediately join the workforce,” he says.
THE GRIP & LIGHTING MICRO-CREDENTIAL
Barry, who assisted in developing this micro-credential, explains, “It is not for somebody who is coming into the system; you will have some experience working on a set or familiarity with cameras. But the idea is that there is an online component where you can learn the function of the grip and electric departments on set, and then you couple that with in-person classes in the lab, which is what we're looking to do.”
Click here for further details and to register.
THE FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING BASIC SKILLS MICRO-CREDENTIAL
Sasha Boersma, who has taught on our campus for almost 12 years, and who currently teaches courses in our Film and Television – Business program and Interactive Media Management program, will also teach this micro-credential.
She says, “The new Film and Television Production Accounting Basic Skills micro-credential is as full of a course as the mouthful the course title suggests! It is designed with the mid-career professional in mind, either people from the film/TV industry who want to know more about accounting for personal interest or a professional shift to working in the accounting department. It is also designed for those with banking and financial backgrounds who want to move into the film/tv industry and better understand the nuances of industry accounting practice.”
She continues, “The course takes the learner on a journey from the introduction to industry-standard industry processes and government-regulated accounting and tax practices, to production bookkeeping methodology, payroll, working with unions and guilds, all the way through to tax credit calculations and preparing the financial information for production audit.”
Sasha also explains that everything in this micro-credential is hands-on. For instance, the paperwork that studios, producers, production managers, and senior accountants will ask that you have experience with (if the learner wants a career in production accounting) will be highlighted. “You generate ACTRA and WGC remittances, calculate payroll tax, generate three or four cost reports for different stages of production, and then take all that to complete the tax credit forms. And if they are taking the course to understand the accounting to start up their own production company, they will fully understand the financial backbone of film and television production,” she shares.
This micro-credential, along with this type of format in general, is designed to be flexible, as Sasha says it can be great for working professionals to take who may be working long days on set or are parents upgrading before returning to work. Rather than weekly classes, it is delivered online asynchronously, which means learners can complete the work when they have time. Sasha adds, “And for those who like the accountability of a class time, I’ll also be available for an optional virtual weekly drop-in session for guidance, additional information, etc. No commuting to campus after an already long day!”
Click here for further details and to register.
In addition to the two courses developed under this partnership, the School of Communications, Media Arts And Design has created a new Film and Television Production Management Basic Skills micro-credential.
Article by: Alexandra Few
Check out and subscribe to our Storyteller newsletter to read all the other great stories happening in and around the Story Arts Centre.
