Editors Guild Training Programs Here's a summary of what's currently available to members: West Coast There are two components to the Western Region training program. The first consists of subsidized training classes sponsored by the Contract Services Administration Trust Fund, in cooperation with Moviola Digital (Hollywood), Video Symphony (Burbank) and Montana Edit (Santa Monica). Eligible members in good standing who are on the roster may apply for a class by submitting an application to the Guild office. From there, the request is forwarded to CSATF, and then to the facility selected. The facility will then contact the member regarding class availability. Members are responsible for only $250 towards a one, two, or three day class. These normally cost $350-$900. Classes currently approved for subsidy are listed on the application and include Avid, Pro Tools, Photoshop, After Effects and others. The training facilities also offer free practice time after course completion. In addition to subsidized classes, the Guild has recently updated our in-house practice rooms and employed two skilled trainers to help you: Brian Damsky, an Avid Certified Support Representative, and Dieter Rozek. We have a Media Composer 1000, v7.2 with all options except 3D, including film, intraframe editing, multicamera and script integration. We also have a Pro Tools v4.1.1 and a Lightworks. Practice time is available Monday through Friday, except union holidays. There are 4 slots per day, 10 am-noon, noon-1:30 pm, 2-4 pm and 4-6 pm. To help share the systems fairly, members can sign up for only one session at a time. The practice room is also set up as a resource center for members. Event notices, class schedules and Avid info are posted on the walls and a collection of books and manuals is available (book donations are gladly accepted). We have materials available for members to practice with, but we are always looking for interesting dailies. Any contributions (with the legal clearances, of course, and preferably with flex files) would be appreciated: multicamera TV series, dialogue scenes, action, effects examples, etc. To get an application or to schedule practice time call Dieter or Brian at (323) 876-4770 x246, or email them. East Coast The Guild provides training for Eastern Region members by subsidizing courses from outside vendors. Members are refunded up to $500 per course from the Help Fund for authorized classes in digital technology, videotape editing, film editing, and computer skills. The Videotape Training Fund also provides each member with a one-time-only refund of up to $250 for courses costing more than $500. Training programs in the New York area include: Future Media Concepts The Avid-authorized training center in New York. They also offer courses in Pro Tools, Softimage, most Adobe products, NewTek Lightwave 3D, Final Cut Pro and many other technologies. In addition to the subsidy mentioned above, Future Media provides their own discounts to Guild members. Film/Video Arts A non-profit organization that gives courses in Avid, film editing, film production, film history, etc. School of Visual Arts Offers courses in film editing, film production, etc. NYU School of Continuing & Professional Studies Offers courses in all media areas. The subsidy is also available for courses taken outside the New York area, such as The Maine Photographic Workshops, and for instruction given by other Guild members, if it is authorized by the Union. Refunds may be obtained for courses, after they have been authorized, by sending the receipt to the Guild. It will be submitted to the Help and Videotape Training Funds for processing, which may take up to six weeks. Before taking a course, contact Norman Gay at (212) 302-0700, x15.   Reprinted from The Motion Picture Editors Guild Magazine Vol. 21, No. 2 - March/April 2000   Guild Home | Magazine Home | Top of Page   Copyright © 2000, All Rights Reserved by The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700