Since the first EWI grant was awarded in October last year, trainees have performed a wide variety of tasks to build their knowledge and give them perspective on the industry. As PERG Manager, it is extremely gratifying to see the program starting to blossom. I knew that our members would step up and bring their own personalities to the challenge, and they have. The opportunities that they have provided for their trainees have been meaningful.
Andrew Rodriguez, the Program Coordinator for PERG’s Equitable Workforce Initiative, has been working hard to pair job seekers with participating rental companies so that we can award the remaining grants. So far, three member companies have made new hires under the program: Lux Lighting, a lighting rental company in New York; Rare Breeds, a boutique camera rental company in Los Angeles; and Triode, a full service company providing lighting and camera rental, sound stages, crewing, and production support in Lancaster PA. At least four other companies are actively looking to hire under EWI. In the 2022-2023 cycle, EWI is budgeted to award eight grants. Rental companies that want to participate this year should apply immediately.
Andrew Rodriguez, EWI Program Coordinator
When I say the trainee’s experiences have been meaningful, here’s what I mean. Trainees are being instructed and performing tasks like stage maintenance, conducting inventory of grip equipment and adding them into rental software systems (including the value of items and their replacement costs), working on social media content, practicing the check in/check out process, learning how to properly QC digital lighting equipment, learning how to pair a Cintenna kit (a wireless DMX lighting control network), setting up and tearing down a Jib and Dana dolly. Trainees have participated in team building events and company social events. All of these opportunities contribute to their perspective on the overall mission of rental companies.
Some employers have found ways to provide production experience. One trainee spent a day assisting setting up a lighting plan based on instructions given. He pulled all equipment needed for a shoot, then assembled and placed the lights. He then assisted on the shoot to see how the lighting levels worked and the image looked based on the position of the lights and their settings. Another day he was given an opportunity to work with the company’s robot operator on filming shots of their own camera equipment for their website. The trainee pulled items based on rental use and value, set them up for filming, and then put them away. Another time he had an opportunity to learn about the role of assistant editor, sequence prepping, and masters.
We look forward to awarding the remaining grants—likely very soon—and launching the EWI Mentor Series (See Industry Experts and Rental Veterans to Provide Seminars for Rental Employees in their Early Career in this issue.) Thanks to Andrew for all his hard work, and to our participating members for their care and inspiration.
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