Three-week film construction accreditation course launched

A new film construction accreditation course is being offered through a collaborative effort that includes Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), Prairie Surf Media, Film Education Institute of Oklahoma (FEIO) and Work Ready Oklahoma (WRO).  

The program will be held Jan. 2-21, 2023, at OCCC and will be taught by industry experts. Classes will be held on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Upon completion of the three-week program, students will receive a Set Construction micro-certification accreditation, allowing them to enter the film industry.  

“While there are countless positions on a live film set, the most abundant and readily available are construction jobs,” said Matt Payne, Prairie Surf Media co-founder and co-CEO. 

Payne said Prairie Surf and OCCC decided to put together the program to help teach and enhance the skillsets of locals who will then “find themselves rapidly employed in the industry.” 

There are no prerequisites to participate in the program, other than moderate familiarity with tools. 

“Students will learn flat, subfloor, ceiling, door, window and step construction and installation, with all of these steps culminating in a completed industry-standard film set,” said Sean Lynch, OCCC professor of digital cinema production. 

FEIO Executive Director Austin Taylor said the time to join the film industry in Oklahoma is now, as the industry grows.  

“The average pay for a construction coordinator in the film industry is more than $70,000. These are good jobs with room for advancement as the film industry continues to grow in Oklahoma,” Taylor said.  

Prairie Surf co-founder and co-CEO Rachel Cannon further emphasized the local film industry’s growth potential, crediting the state’s generous rebate program in attracting production studio projects to the state. Cannon said in just the last 18 months, the industry has added $240 million and more than 10,000 jobs to the state’s economy.  

“I truly believe the film industry will create sustainable jobs, economic diversity and a creative path for the next generation here in Oklahoma,” Cannon said, “Partnerships like this one with OCCC, WRO and FEIO are essential to building an ecosystem that will continue to grow here for years to come.” 

WRO provides Oklahomans with training and resources to help them build careers in growing sectors like the TV and film industry.  

Scholarships for the three-week Set Construction Intensive program are now available. Applications are due Dec. 23.  

To learn more about the OCCC Set Construction Intensive program, visit www.occc.edu/sci/ or call 405-682-7512. For more information on scholarships, email [email protected], or click here to apply.