The Oklahoma Film and Television Academy partnered with Langston University to send six students to their “Set Ready” course. Aaron Wesley, Kierra Pelayo, Kesean Cleveland, Maurielle Mcintosh, Nia Daniels and this reporter attended classes from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at Green Pastures Studio in Oklahoma City on January 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th.
The course was taught by Richard and Amy Janes. Richard is an Emmy-winning producer who started his career as a child actor. He is also a series editor and an executive producer for a creative content agency called Fanology.
“The different stories and experiences he talked about made the class much more enjoyable,” said Pelayo, one of the students invited to the course.
Amy Janes is an Emmy-winning documentary series editor and is also an executive producer for Fanology. She and Richard are the founders of Green Pasture Studios.
OFTA offers multiple courses, but the “Set Ready” course is required first and teaches those who are interested in the film industry the basic knowledge of how a film crew operates and about entry-level jobs in the film and television industry.
“We are desperate for people to work” Richard said.
Richard taught the first three classes, going over how film works and the process it takes for a film to be completed. He also discussed the jobs in the film industry and prepared students to become a production assistants.
There are many types of PA positions, including a Key PA who is the head of all the production assistants, a First Team PA who is responsible for the actors who have speaking lines, a Locations PA who handles anything that has to do with the location of where the shooting is happening, a background PA who is the head of the background artist and actors, a Walkie PA who handles the walkie talkies and other accessories and an Additional PA who helps wherever help is needed.
Richard taught walkie and set lingo, as nearly everyone working on production will utilize a walkie and a headset. Students were then supplied with a gear checklist that included many things that in his experience are important to have all stored in a fanny pack or backpack. Some of the items included were a map of the area, chewing gum and a multi-tool.
Amy Janes taught the final class where she prepared students for interviewing and applying for jobs after graduating from the course, as well as what exactly the forms will look like when you go to do so. Students were interviewed during the class, and she provided feedback on things students did well and better ways to go about an interview specifically for the film industry.
On completing the course, students can complete another course where they would be put through a test production to get more hands-on experience. But after the four day workshop, “You guys have all the tools you need in the film industry,” Richard said.
Story ideas, opinion editorials, calendar events and advertising requests can be sent to dthom34@langston.edu. You may follow The Gazetteon Instagram @lu_gazette.
The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
