Training Program for Camera Trainees

What is A Camera Trainee:
A camera trainee in I.A.T.S.E. is a trainee member working on I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 signatory productions with professional film crews. The trainee will be enrolled in the I.A.T.S.E. Training Program. This program focuses on field training and provides an entry position into a motion picture career for those who aspire to be Camera Assistants and ultimately Cinematographers.

What is the benefit of my joining I.A.T.S.E. as a Camera Trainee?
As a Camera Trainee enrolled in the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Training Program you will be working with and taught by some of the best film makers in the world and on some of the biggest studio productions in the world. The I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Camera Trainee is recognized in the Collective Agreement as part of the minimum crew requirements.

Through the Training Program, Camera Trainees are placed on signatory productions on a rotational basis and in a way that each Trainee will be exposed to and trained on 16 mm, 35 mm and digital cameras. Trainees are assigned to different productions by the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Office.  Throughout the training program, the participant will in most cases train with Arriflex, Movicam, Panavision, Arricam, and Sony camera systems.

Trainees are required to work on at least 6 productions (a minimum of 120 days) in the Training program. Most of the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Trainees work on 7 or 8 productions (this takes approximately one year) to ensure that they are familiar with all professional camera systems. You will learn leading edge skills and develop a professionalism through our training that is recognized throughout North America.

We make every effort to ensure that you work with a different camera crew on each production. Once the training program is completed, and upon successful upgrade to 2nd Assistant Cameraperson, you will be a freelance assistant and will be securing employment on your own merits and the contacts you have made as a Camera Trainee.

In conjunction with Sheridan College (Oakville, Ontario), I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 members have been hired to formulate and teach the Sheridan College Post-Graduate Program, Motion Picture Camera Assistant Workshop 1 and 2.  Please contact Sheridan College for additional information:

- Phone 905-845-9430 Ext. 8741
- Website at www.sheridanc.on.ca/protraining/filmtv/iatse.html
- Email iatse667@sheridanc.on.ca

The Camera Trainee is paid provincial minimum wage on all I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Agreements. In addition to this wage, the fringe benefits will include:

• Vacation Pay, remitted by producers when working under an I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Collective Agreement. These funds will be paid directly to the member.
  
• Group Retirement Savings Plan (GRSP) a benefit provided by the Producer under Collective Agreements which consists of a percentage of the member's gross wages remitted to the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Group RSP. Our Group RSP plan is with Great West Life and all members must sign up with Great West Life upon joining I.A.T.S.E. Local 667. An information booklet and sign-up form is provided.
  
• Health & Welfare Benefits - a benefit provided by the Producer under Collective Agreements which consists of a percentage of the member's gross wages remitted to the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667/669 Health & Welfare Benefit Trust Fund. All new members automatically qualify for the "Level 1 Benefits" which consist of Life Insurance and the confidential counseling services through the Member Assistance Program. When you work under an I.A.T.S.E. Collective Agreement, the producer remits Health & Welfare Benefits to the Trust Fund. On an annual basis, these remittances are calculated for each individual member to determine their Benefit Level. We currently have four levels of Benefits of varying Dollar and Benefit amounts for which you may qualify. The benefits may include Dental, Health Care, Vision Care and Short-Term Disability. You are also able to purchase into the better benefit levels, either 3 months after you join membership or in April of each year. Please contact the Local 667 Office for further information regarding this program.

To Apply to the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Training Program:
To apply for a Camera Trainee position in the Training Program, you are required to submit a resume to the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 office no later than December 18th.   You must be a Canadian Citizen or a Landed Immigrant.

Your resume must be accompanied with a cover letter detailing why you have chosen to work in camera as a career option.

Points to include in your resume:

• related education
  
• related experience (not necessarily just camera .... any set/industry experience is an asset).
  
• specific skills that may apply to the camera or camera equipment (including electronic or digital production)
  
• languages
  
• 3 letters of reference (particularly from camera crews with whom you have worked)
  
• proof of successful completion of/or enrollment in any post-graduate programs eg. Sheridan College Post-Graduate Program: Motion Picture Camera Assistant Workshop 1 and 2, CSC Camera Assistant Program, Rockport Film & Television Workshops

Please send your application to:
The Trainee Committee
c/o I.A.T.S.E. Local 667, International Cinematographers Guild
9 Gloucester St.
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1L8

We date stamp all application packages when we receive them in our office and maintain a file throughout the year. In the event you submit your resume early in the year, you are encouraged to send in an update before December 18th. Updates will be attached to your initial resume. The deadline for all applications is December 18th of each year.

Selection Process:
The Trainee Committee which oversees the Training Program for Camera Trainees, receives over 100 resumes each year from people interested in joining our Training Program. These resumes are retained on file until the Committee meets to review each resume. Interviews are usually held in the first quarter of the new year.

The Committee reviews each application and will select approximately 70 to 80% of all applicants to interview. Selection is based on both education and practical work experience. Of those interviewed, approximately 60% will be selected for the Training Program. This number is reviewed annually and is dependent upon projected industry needs.

PLEASE NOTE:
The market demand forms the basis of our Camera Trainee requirements.  Therefore, placement in our Training Program, is such that, not everyone who applies can be accepted.

In the event you are not selected, we encourage you to continue to seek alternate employment in the film industry to build up your experience and contacts in order to re-apply at a later date.

Once You Are Selected:
Once you have been selected by the Committee, you will be placed on a prioritized list as determined by the Committee.  As Trainees upgrade to 2nd Assistants, new trainees from the prioritized list are placed on the rotation schedule. Prior to being placed on the rotation schedule you will be required to attend an orientation seminar at the Local 667 office and complete a membership application.

A membership application fee will be required along with quarterly dues.  In addition, all Trainees are required to purchase the Camera Assistant Manual.  We do not have permittees. All of our Trainees are I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 trainee members.

Once A Trainee:
It is very important that once you have been selected to join the Training Program and become a member, you must remain in contact with the Local 667 office and remain available for work. As you have made camera a career decision, the Training Program should be your first priority. We understand that financial needs, etc. may require you to consider temporary work elsewhere during down times in your placement, but we request that you first contact the Local 667 Office regarding this. In the event you are repeatedly unavailable to work as a Camera Trainee, you will be required to relinquish your Training spot for the next available applicant.

Working as a Trainee under the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Collective Agreement
As mentioned previously, once accepted into the Camera Trainee program, you will be assigned to work with film crews and learn from professional Camera Assistants. You will learn how to work as a 2nd Assistant Cameraperson, meeting the needs of the camera department while working with the rest of the film crew. The following is a summarized list of responsibilities you will learn included in the Training Program:

• how to build various cameras in different working modes with all the accessories
  
• how to load film for motion picture cameras
  
• how to mark actors
  
• how to slate (single, multi and high speed cameras)
  
• how to keep accurate paperwork which includes camera reports, daily film inventory, petty cash, equipment rentals and returns.

When working under an I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Contract, the Camera Trainee will work the same number of hours as the 2nd Assistant Cameraperson (approximately 40 to 70 hours per week). You will earn the provincial minimum wage for the first 8 hours of each day. Work performed after eight working hours will be paid based on an overtime structure.

While completing the minimum requirements of the Training Program, you will have to participate in a mandatory Darkroom Workshop and complete the Dark Room Procedure and Mag Loading Critique. Dates for both the workshop and critique will be posted in advance so you can schedule them for yourself according to your availability.

Upgrading to 2nd Assistant
When Trainees are qualified to upgrade to 2nd Assistant, they must submit an application to upgrade (within 2 weeks of their last placement) to the Trainee Committee and provide 3 letters of recommendation from the 1st and 2nd Assistants with whom they have trained. Recommendation letters from the Trainee's 1st show will not be accepted. The progress reports (which are sent to our office at the completion of each of your Trainee placements) will also be submitted to the Trainee Committee. It will be solely at the discretion of the Trainee Committee and the Executive Board to determine whether or not the Trainee should upgrade at this time.

Working as a 2nd AC under the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Collective Agreement
Once Camera Trainees upgrade to 2nd Assistant Camerapersons, they will be in the freelance world. It will be up to each individual to secure their own work. The Local 667 office provides each production company with the names of our members and their resumes/reels. We also provide all of our members with the contact names and addresses of upcoming and existing productions from which they can seek job opportunities. The Local 667 Office is not the employer and therefore is not involved in the decision making process by the production company as to which I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 member will or will not be hired on a particular production.

Upon upgrading to a 2nd Assistant, an initiation fee is required as well as 2nd Assistant quarterly dues.

Things You Can Do In The Meanwhile
Because you eventually may work in the industry as a Freelance Cameraperson, the more industry related experience you can secure, the better off you will be. Not only will you become familiar with the various types of film work being done, but you will also be networking and meeting potential members and professionals who may hire you upon completion of the Trainee Program. You should try and secure any type of work possible. This can include, but is not limited to, working as a P.A., in craft service, in the production office, as a general labourer, etc. Camera experience is, of course, preferred. You may want to contact Canadian Production Companies, Commercial companies, Music Videos, LIFT, Canadian Film Centre, local film coops etc. to see of any possible positions.

Possible Employment Contacts:
While you are waiting for an interview, or waiting to be placed, you may want to contact various production companies in your area of residence for potential employment. NB: We strongly advise that you deliver your resumes in person to some of these places.

For residents of Ontario:

The Ontario Media Development Corporation (O.M.D.C.)
175 Bloor St. E., North Tower, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8
(416) 314-6858

PLEASE NOTE: The O.M.D.C.is not a hiring hall, nor are they seeking employees, however they will maintain a file of resumes for the Production Companies who may be seeking P.A.'s, office staff, etc.

Additionally, the Canadian Film Centre is often seeking volunteers to work on the films they produce:

The Canadian Film Centre
2489 Bayview Avenue
North York, Ontario M2L 1A8
(416) 445-1446

Periodically throughout the year, the Film Centre will produce short theatrical films. These films are crewed up on a volunteer basis. There is no payment involved.

In the Atlantic Region:

AFFCOOP - Nova Scotia

NIFCO - Newfoundland

Information On The Sheridan Post-Graduate Camera Assistant Program
I.A.T.S.E. Local 667, in cooperation with Sheridan College, is offering a Post-Graduate Program in Advanced Television and Film. The program will be held two or three times a year at Sheridan's new facility, called the Sheridan Centre for Animation and Emerging Technologies (SCAET), and is located at their Oakville Campus on Trafalgar Road in Ontario.

The course, "Motion Picture Camera Assistant Workshop 1 & 2", is taught by Local 667 members. It is available two or three times: it runs 8 hours/day for 2 x 6 day weeks and is offered in the fall, winter and summer. Exact dates vary from year to year depending on classroom and equipment availability. The course is divided into two sections. The first 6 days is called  Workshop 1 and the second 6 days is Workshop 2.

Although completion of these courses does not guarantee a seat in the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 camera trainee program, twelve of the fifteen recently accepted trainees had completed Sheridan's program. 

The workshops cover the roles and responsibilities of the 1st and 2nd Camera Assistants and are intended to be taken as a combined unit. The workshops are taught on consecutive weeks with curriculum delivered in a variety of lectures, demonstrations, hands-on in-studio and outdoor work, and on-set visits. The program fees include the I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 Camera Assistant Manual. Please note that each course has a maximum class size of 15 participants.

Our goal is to build a curriculum that will provide you with a thorough background in camera assisting as a career choice. It is aimed at providing you with the skills, knowledge and attitude that are crucial for the Camera Trainee Program.

If you are interested in applying for this program, contact Sheridan College for additional information: 
- Phone 905-845-9430 Ext. 8741
- Website at www.sheridanc.on.ca/protraining/filmtv/iatse.html
- Email iatse667@sheridanc.on.ca

You will receive six credits in the Sheridan curriculum, should you choose to apply for a full-time certificate later.