Career Development
Tailored for individuals with some production experience who are seeking industry-specific training, this program provides specialized instruction aligned with current standards. By partnering with employers and unions, trainees learn from experienced professionals for below-the-line careers.
While we cannot guarantee job placement, our participants walk away with practical knowledge, increased confidence in their soft skills, and a stronger network.
OPEN PROGRAMS
I.A.T.S.E. Local 489 Studio Mechanics Shop Craft, Pittsburgh
In partnership with the I.A.T.S.E. Local 489, Reel Works is hosting an intensive training program to prepare rising Pittsburgh Professionals with the essential skills needed to work successfully as Shop Craftpersons–a first step toward a career in the entertainment industry.
Interested in a program?
The first step in the application process is to attend the required info session, which covers important program information, dates, overviews the application process, and features a Q&A session with industry panelists.
Eligibility:
All participants must be 18+ or 21+ years old depending on the program (see age requirements under the open program)
Authorized to work in the United States
Able to provide proof of residence (see location requirements under open program)
High School Diploma or its equivalent
Not enrolled in full-time education
Some production experience is beneficial
Miranda Kang, Casting Assistant Training in partnership with Theatrical Teamsters Local 817
“I’m incredibly grateful for this program—it gave me confidence to pursue the industry and connected me with amazing peers and professionals. I can’t fully express my gratitude, but I’m so excited to see what our cohort accomplishes.”
For more info on post-program support, please see our Career Success page.
PAST PROGRAMS
NEW YORK
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In partnership with the Theatrical Wardrobe Union, Local 764, Reel Works is offering training to upskill talented New Yorkers into Costumers and Dressers backstage and on set.
Details:
Hybrid
Estimated Duration: About 2 Months, Part-Time Hours
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In partnership with Make-up Artists & Hair Stylists IATSE Local 798, Reel Works is offering New Yorkers training to upskill into Hairstylists for theater, film, and television productions.
Details:
In-person
Estimated Duration: About 5 Months, Part-Time Hours
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In partnership with the Make-up Artists & Hair Stylists, Local 798, Reel Works is offering New Yorkers training to upskill into Make-up Artists for theater, film, and television productions.
Details:
In-person
Estimated Duration: About 4 Months, Part-Time Hours
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In partnership with Studio Mechanics union, Local 52, Reel Works is offering New Yorkers training to upskill into Grips, Electrics, and Shop Craft Carpenters for film, and television productions.
Details:
In-person
Estimated Duration:
Grip
Electric
Shop Craft
Set Dresser - 2 Days
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In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access, Reel Works is offering New Yorkers training to upskill into Post-Production Coordinators for high-end scripted television.
Details:
Hybrid
Estimated Duration: About 8 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
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In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access, this training develops post-production supervisors to work on high-end, scripted programming.
Hybrid
Estimated Duration: About 8 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
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In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access, this training develops visual effects coordinators to work on high-end, scripted programming.
Hybrid
Estimated Duration: About 8 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
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In partnership United Scenic Artists Local USA 829, this training upskills painters, sculptors, and fabricators for work as scenic artists for union film and television productions.
In-person
Estimated Duration: About 2 Months, Full-Time Hours
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In partnership with I.A.T.S.E. Local 600, this training prepares talented New Yorkers to become camera loaders for union film and television productions through lectures and hands-on training.
In-person
Estimated Duration: About 1 Month, Full-Time Hours
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In partnership with Theatrical Teamsters Local 817, LaGuardia Community College and Reel Works, this training upskills New Yorkers into Casting Assistants for film and television productions.
In-Person
Estimated Duration: About 2 Months, Part-Time Hours
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This internal partnership between MediaMKRS and The Studio at Reel Works will train young, talented, New Yorkers for work as Production Assistants for film and television.
In-person
Estimated Duration: About 5 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
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In partnership with United Scenic Artists Local USA 829, Stockade Works, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reel Works, this training upskills talented New Yorkers into eventual Assistant Costume Designers for union film and television productions.
In-person
Estimated Duration: 1 Month, Full-Time Hours
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In partnership with Amazon MGM Studios, this training prepares rising production accounting clerks and payroll clerks in the NYC and Atlanta Metro areas with the essential skills needed to transition successfully to work as 2nd assistant accountants or assistant payroll accountants in the entertainment industry.
Virtual
Estimated Duration: 6 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
PENNSYLVANIA
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In partnership with I.A.T.S.E. Local 489 and the Pittsburgh Film Office, this training upskills Pittsburghers into costumers and dressers for film and television productions through practical, hands-on training.
In-person
Estimated Duration: 1 Week, Full-Time Hours
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In partnership with I.A.T.S.E. Local 489 and the Pittsburgh Film Office, this training upskills Pittsburghers into grips and electrics for film and television productions through practical, hands-on training.
In-person
Estimated Duration:
Electric - 2 Weeks, Full-Time Hours
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In partnership with I.A.T.S.E. Local 600, this training prepares talented Pittsburgers to become camera loaders for union film and television productions through lectures and hands-on training.
In-person
Estimated Duration: About 1 Month, Full-Time Hours
CANADA
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In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access, Reel Works is offering Canadians training to upskill into VFX coordinators for high-end scripted television.
Hybrid
Estimated Duration: About 8 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
CALIFORNIA
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In partnership with I.A.T.S.E. Local 705 and Group Effort Initiative (GEI), this intensive training program to prepare rising costume professionals with the essential skills needed to work towards a career as finished costumers.
In-person
Estimated Duration: 2 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
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In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access, this training develops post-production coordinators to work on high-end, scripted programming.
Hybrid
Estimated Duration: About 8 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
-
In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access, this training develops post-production supervisors to work on high-end, scripted programming.
Hybrid
Estimated Duration: About 8 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
-
In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access, this training develops VFX coordinators to work on high-end, scripted programming.
Hybrid
Estimated Duration: About 8 Weeks, Part-Time Hours
USA, BI-COSTAL
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In partnership with Netflix, Reel Works is offering training to East Coast and West Coast Coordinators to upskill into VFX producers for film and television productions.
Estimated Duration: 4 Weeks, Part-Time Hours