Because Augusta’s film industry has experienced explosive growth in recent years, Augusta Technical College wants to prepare people to work in that industry.
The college has partnered with the Georgia Film Academy and a local company called Indiegrip.com LLC (see photo above story) to begin offering an 18-hour non-credit film production certification program in January 2022. Classes will meet on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the cost will be $750. Rick Kelly – Indiegrip.com’s owner/operator, is excited to be involved in the program. “Our mission has always been to welcome anyone interested in helping to make film production a successful part of our community,” says Kelly. “We are thankful for this wonderful opportunity and look forward to growing our talented crew base here in Augusta.” His company leases equipment and provides crew members for films produced in the Augusta area, and its facilities will be used for hands-on instruction.
The Georgia Film Academy was founded in 2015 through a partnership between the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia. “Since 2019, film productions have generated nearly $5 million in economic impact in Augusta and supported nearly 500 jobs held by local film crew personnel,” says Jennifer Bowen, film liaison for Film Augusta – a division of Destination Augusta. “In that time, Augusta locations were used by big screen giants, such as Clint Eastwood’s “The Mule,” James Gunn’s “Suicide Squad,” and Discovery Channel’s “Getaway Driver.”
Limited spaces are available. For more information or to sign up for the program, email Augusta Technical College’s Corporate and Community Education Department at ccetraining@augustatech.edu.