The Clayton State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is on a mission to help close the gap between Georgia’s booming film industry and shortage of production crew by offering programs to help people retrofit skills they already have.
SBDC is introducing Beauty & Business Behind-the-Scenes Bootcamp, an intensive three-day program to be held at The Engineer Guy Special FX Studio, 1000 Tradeport Blvd, Ste. 1011, in Atlanta March 22, 23 and 24. Program sponsor, “The Engineer Guy,” is Nelson Burke, an SBDC client and a graduate of Clayton State University.
“Building production set capabilities and capacity among licensed cosmetologists and barbers just makes sense,” said Judiffier Pearson, SBDC Film & Entertainment Business Consultant. “This group already possesses the basic technical skills; they just need to learn the mechanics of a production environment and visual storytelling – like character development, script breakdown, and set etiquette.”
In response to feedback received in 2013 from the camera-ready liaisons at local economic development authorities, Pearson developed Beauty & Business Behind-the-Scenes Bootcamp. Over the course of three, nine-hour days, hair and makeup artists from salon backgrounds will train with experienced union department heads, using a real film script to recreate iconic movie characters. Attendees will also sharpen their business skills in management, marketing and finances for independent contractors.
When two months into planning the Bootcamp program, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced the High Demand Career Initiative, “it was just confirmation that we were on the right track,” Pearson said.
Makeup and hair are often the highest paid positions on set after the AD department, earning up to $55 per hour on big budget feature films. Hairstylists in salons can make as much as union hairstylists or more, but many of them are self-employed and do not have benefits packages.
“We have the opportunity to make a great living with real potential to earn six-figure salaries, including medical insurance and retirement benefits provided through the union,” said Cynthia Chapman, department head for “Ride Along” and coordinator of background hair on “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” (Parts 1 and 2).
The Bootcamp curriculum will be taught by industry veterans Marietta Carter-Narcisse (Makeup), Chapman (Hair), and Pearson (Business). Program sponsor The Engineer Guy will also present a beginner’s Special FX course. ProductionHUB is the media sponsor for this event.
To register for Beauty & Business Behind-the-Scenes Bootcamp, visit www.MorrowSBDC.org or call (678) 466-5100.
For more information, contact Pearson, Film & Entertainment Business Consultant, the University of Georgia SBDC at Clayton State University, at jpearson@GeorgiaSBDC.org.
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center is a public service and outreach unit of the University of Georgia. The SBDC’s mission is to enhance the economic well-being of Georgians by providing a wide range of educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
