News Summary
This May, Birmingham will host multiple job fairs and workshops designed to assist aspiring filmmakers in their careers. Organized by Create Birmingham, these events will focus on networking, learning about film industry roles, and finding job placements, starting with a production assistant event on May 6. Notable companies will attend the Film Birmingham Job Fair on May 20. Local industry momentum is highlighted by the ongoing filming of ‘The Shift’, a new feature film. The events promise to connect new talent with industry veterans.
Birmingham is set to host a series of job fairs, events, and workshops this May, designed to assist aspiring filmmakers in launching their careers in the film industry. The initiative, organized by Create Birmingham, will include opportunities to learn about various roles, network with industry professionals, and secure potential job placements.
The first significant event will take place on Tuesday, May 6, at Events at Haven in Lakeview. This gathering will focus specifically on the role of production assistants, a vital entry-level position in film and television. The event will be led by 1st Assistant Director Maggie Ballard, who will share essential tips, tools, and insights aimed at helping participants land production assistant jobs. This role provides a gateway for many new entrants into the film industry, making this gathering particularly relevant for individuals looking to get started in film careers.
Following the production assistant event, the spotlight will turn to the Film Birmingham Job Fair on Tuesday, May 20, which will be held at Cahaba Brewing. This job fair will feature numerous industry companies and producers, such as Dotdash Meredith, 1504, See-It Productions, Eleven, Kristin Dober, and Dan King. The event will be free and open to the public, providing an excellent platform for attendees to network with other filmmakers, content creators, and industry representatives, thereby fostering connections that could lead to job opportunities.
Create Birmingham’s COO Jessica Moody has emphasized the current momentum in Birmingham’s film industry as a key reason to engage in these upcoming events. Notably, filming of a feature film titled “The Shift” is currently underway in the city. This innovative project reinterprets the biblical story of Job in a sci-fi context and is directed by Brock Heasley and produced by Angel Studios. The film stars well-known actors such as Rose Reid, Paras Patel, and Jorge Garcia, renowned for his role in “LOST.” Angel Studios is targeting a global release for “The Shift” in theaters and on streaming platforms, aiming to appeal not only to the faith-based audience but also to a wider viewer demographic.
Angel Studios employs a crowdfunding model that has proven successful in their previous projects, including “The Chosen,” which remains the largest crowdfunded entertainment project to date. This innovative approach has opened new avenues for filmmakers and has contributed to the growth of the local film industry.
In addition to the job fairs and workshops, the Birmingham film scene is also witnessing the transition of former NBC news anchor Malena Cunningham Anderson into acting. She is set to star in the Lifetime Movie Network’s “Beware the Night Nurse.” Anderson embarked on her acting journey later in life, following her career in journalism, and she is additionally involved in various writing and producing roles in film.
Anderson will participate in a panel discussion at the upcoming National Association of Black Journalists conference in Birmingham, where she will share insights about her career transition and experiences within the film industry. This event highlights the diverse paths individuals can take to engage in film and the multitude of opportunities available for those willing to pursue their passions.
As Birmingham braces for these film-focused events this May, the local industry appears poised for growth, offering aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals valuable resources and networking opportunities that could significantly impact their careers.
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Additional Resources
- Bham Now
- Wikipedia: Film Industry
- 1819 News
- Google Search: Film Production in Birmingham
- Alabama News Center
- Google Scholar: Film Education
- Urban Faith
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Film Industry
