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CHICAGO MADE

A Film & TV Workforce Training Program

OVERVIEW

The Chicago Made: Film & TV Workforce Training Program is a partnership between the city of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the Film office. In collaboration to develop union and professional "championed" training programs. Aimed to embed a high level of skill and ability within individuals seeking careers within Chicago's TV & Film industry. The Chicago Made: Film & TV Workforce Training Program main responsibility is to develop and execute a dynamic workforce training program. The program involves a high-level of coordination between trainees and a complex network of production and post-production partners. It requires the cooperation of trade unions and associations, the city of Chicago, state of Illinois

 

The Challenge: Can an international city create a skilled and diversified workforce pool of industry-ready individuals from backgrounds that include the under-served population of Chicago residents. Just 25.9% of film writers in 2020 were people of color

 

The organization of work and the cultural production in screen-based media industries often amplify existing inequalities Historically the film and TV industry has not been inclusive and has relied on a traditional method of word of mouth referrals for many years. Women made up just 26% of film writers and just 20.5% of directors.

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SUCCESS

  • 15 productions filmed in Chicago in summer 2021, bringing nearly $700 million in economic impact to the city

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  • Nearly 20,000 visitors viewed the newly constructed program website application portal – which included several countries

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  • Develop 10+ customize skilled training programs in tandem with local chapters of film and TV unionized officials

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  • Assisted in the securing of budget, to provide funds for development, support and hands-on education to shape their industry career trajectory

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  • Amplified the voices of the under-served communities throughout the program’s geographical footprint to include black and brown youth from the city’s most impoverished communities

GEAR

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