Fresh Films and the Illinois Film Office created the Accelerated Training Program, to find new, young talent for the film industry.
Director of the Illinois Film Office, Peter Hawley, says Fresh Films was one of seven organizations that created a real production with on-set mentors.
"It's not theoretical, it's not just classroom based. It is actual work experience and I think that's really valuable. You need to see how professionals do it and you need to see how professionals work."
Hawley says he came up with the idea of the training program because Illinois needed more entry-level crew members. So, in 2019 he asked the General Assembly for money to set up pilot programs such as Fresh Films.
"If we do this successfully over the course of the decade we can get 2,500-3,000 people into the film industry. Those should be people who don't typically have an opportunity to get into the film industry, that aren't necessarily thinking about going to college, film schools, from disadvantaged areas."
Applications for the Accelerated Training Program will be accepted through February 20th and Illinois residents between the ages of 18 and 26 are eligible to apply. Training will be held from March to June.