Sep 20, 2012- 10:14 AM
The article mentioned above says some very positive things about the future growth of film and video production in Sudbury and Northern Ontario.
However, in discussing training and education of future members of this new and emerging workforce, the author made an omission to the list, that being Cambrian College.
I am the co-ordinator of the theatre production program, and I can assure you, we are at the forefront of that training and education, more so than any of the institutions mentioned.
I am the co-ordinator of the theatre production program, and I can assure you, we are at the forefront of that training and education...
These artistic, design and management teams have been in place for months, doing all the pre-production work. They are coming here to do principal photography; as such, they need to fill the vast array of crew positions this requires.
That is exactly what we are training people for at Cambrian College.
As the industry grows here in the north, those crew members will also grow in experience and eventually be able to fill those key positions.
That is a process which will take five to 10 years of sustained work and growth in the industry. It is also the key to having producers return with other projects.
Any producer, either from Hollywood or Toronto, has a myriad of options about where to shoot, including where they are based. The availability of locations to suit the script and labour costs are paramount in this decision, and the choices are usually numerous.
A positive experience with a good crew, or recommendation of such from an associate, can often be the deciding factor.
Cambrian College offers comprehensive and practical training in all the trade skills needed to fill these crew positions; lighting, grip, sound/audio, set construction, painting and decoration, props, model building, rigging, makeup, special effects, industry health and safety, legal obligations and requirements, production management and stage management.
Since taking over this position in 2009, the school has worked with me so that the program has evolved into a true entertainment industry training facility.
My personal background of 37 years in film and video production, as well as live theatre, has been the catalyst in this change.
All courses are taught by industry professionals still in the business, not career academics. Between the four of us, we bring more than 115 years of combined practical experience in the entertainment industry.
Ken Salah
co-ordinator of theatre arts and technical production,
Cambrian College
