Union Production Careers Start Here

Careers in film, television, and live events are built through reputation, on-set work experience, and trusted professional relationships. Crews hire people who have demonstrated the skills, reliability, and set experience needed to work safely and professionally on set.

As a signatory workforce program, Hollywood CPR partners directly with IATSE and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to provide advanced craft training, mentorship, and supervised job rotations that prepare emerging crew for long-term careers on union productions. And the results speak for themselves — 90% of our graduates remain in their respective IATSE union after 15 or more years.

Build Your Foundation

Before applying to Hollywood CPR, candidates must demonstrate readiness for professional union-level production environments. This typically means having:

  • A portfolio of relevant production work

  • An understanding of set culture and crew roles on professional productions

  • Hands-on experience from projects, coursework, or related technical work

  • Industry Professionals willing to vouch for you and your readiness to work on union-level productions

Many candidates develop this foundation through Hollywood CPR partner pipeline programs. Hollywood CPR collaborates with these organizations to design entry-level training programs that help participants:

  • Learn how professional film and television sets operate

  • Explore different crew departments

  • Develop technical and safety fundamentals

  • Build a portfolio of production work

These programs are ran independently by our partners and serve as the primary starting point for both individuals new to the industry and those looking to translate their existing experience into an industry-recognized portfolio. Hollywood CPR does not provide direct support with the portfolio building or the application process. All questions must be routed to an approved pipeline partner.

If you are interested in working in film, television, or live event production, the first step is to begin building your portfolio and foundational experience on-set. Explore our partner pipeline programs below to get started.

Pipeline Partners

  • Los Angeles Community College District

    Available to anyone at any stage in their career, Hollywood CPR partners with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) to help students transition from academic training programs into professional production environments.

    Through this collaboration, students gain access to industry-informed curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities that build the portfolio materials and references required to apply to paid on-the-job training opportunities with Hollywood CPR.

  • IATSE Master Class

    Successfully implemented in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), our IATSE Master Class is a one-day immersive experience designed to give aspiring crew members a realistic introduction to film and television production with hands-on instruction and mentorship from IATSE department heads.

    This program can be delivered through schools and workforce programs seeking to provide meaningful industry exposure and team building opportunities.

  • Roybal Film & Television Magnet x INDSTRY

    Roybal Film & Television Magnet and INDSTRY partner with Hollywood CPR to introduce students to careers in film and television production.

    This model provides early exposure to union-track opportunities, foundational understanding of set protocol and safety, and clear visibility into how production careers actually work. Through INDSTRY’s national education network, this approach is now being scaled to reach high school students nationally.

    Learn More

  • Anti-Recidivism Coalition

    For more than 15 years, Hollywood CPR has partnered with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) to expand access to production careers for individuals impacted by the justice system.

    Together, we have created pathways that have connected hundreds of returning citizens to hands-on industry experience, professional mentorship, and union-aligned career opportunities that help individuals transition into stable, high-wage employment within California’s creative economy.

    Learn More

  • More Coming Soon!

Information Sessions & Orientation Programs

Aspiring crew begin their journey through an approved pipeline organization or enroll directly in FLM PRD 100 through a public offering in partnership with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD).

What’s Next?

View the calendar to register for an upcoming information session or to see when FLM PRD 100 is offered next. Please work directly with the college or pipeline program regarding enrollment and participation requirements.

Registration must be completed through your partner organization or LACCD campus of choice.

→ Complete the “Next Steps” section below.

Next Steps

  • If you are new to paid film, television, and live event work, enrollment in FLM PRD 100 is your entry point into how the Hollywood hiring system works.

    Hollywood CPR partners with community colleges and pipeline programs to provide structured, low-risk environments where you can:

    • Learn how project-based, freelance careers function

    • Build foundational technical and professional skills

    • Gain early exposure to production environments

    • Begin forming relationships with working professionals

    • Explore different crafts before committing to one

    For most students starting from zero, it takes six to nine months of consistent participation before they begin successfully freelancing in non-union productions within their chosen craft. Access to reliable transportation is a must.

    NEXT STEPS

    • View the Calendar to see when FLM PRD 100 is offered next

    • Visit the College’s Welcome Center during business hours with questions about enrolling or financial aid

    • Complete Enrollment Verification once you’ve successfully enrolled in FLM PRD 100 [Click Here to Verify]

    Don’t Forget: California residents may qualify for 2 free years of college through the College Promise Program.

  • If you already have non-union experience, enrollment in FLM PRD 100 helps translate that experience into an industry-recognized portfolio.

    Advanced participants are paired with a cohort and guided through:

    • Building a digital portfolio

    • Completing a project log that documents qualifying work experience hours

    • Securing supervisor and industry professional evaluations

    • Understanding endorsement requirements from union professionals and the programs or courses that best fit their current skill level

    This process prepares experienced workers to qualify for Hollywood CPR’s IATSE Craft Training & Job Placement opportunities when capacity and demand align. Access to reliable transportation is a must.

    NEXT STEP

    • View the Calendar to see when FLM PRD 100 is offered next

    • Visit the College’s Welcome Center during business hours with questions about enrolling or financial aid

    • Complete Enrollment Verification once you’ve successfully enrolled in FLM PRD 100 [Click Here to Verify]

    Don’t Forget: California residents may qualify for 2 free years of college through the College Promise Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Taking FLM PRD 100 at an LACCD campus is the only guaranteed way to complete HCPR’s orientation requirements and is offered on a quarterly basis.

  • Yes. FLM PRD 100 is required regardless of prior film school experience.

    The course serves as Hollywood CPR’s orientation and establishes a shared baseline for students to determine if the nature of project-based work and Hollywood CPR’s program expectations are realistic for where they are at in this stage of life.

  • No. Completion of FLM PRD 100 grants access to how to join HCPR’s Emerging Crew status and the ability to apply to future Hollywood CPR IATSE Craft Training cohorts.

    Admission to craft training is competitive and based on readiness, capacity, and industry demand.

  • Emerging Crew is a preparatory stage. It does not include guaranteed work, paid placements, or IATSE Craft Training hours.

    Emerging Crew members are expected to continue building work experience, portfolios, and professional references before being considered for HCPR’s Training Crew stage.

  • High school students are encouraged to begin through approved LAUSD magnet programs like Roybal Film and Television Magnet or LACCD college pipeline courses.

    Hollywood CPR Craft Training and Job Placement Program is designed for individuals who are ready to pursue behind-the-scenes work as a professional career. This requires on-set experience and a portfolio to prove. LACCD programs help individuals build the work experience and portfolio requirements needed to qualify for HCPR.

  • Currently:

    West Los Angeles College in Culver City and Los Angeles Trade Tech College in Downtown Los Angeles.

    Future:

    LA City College or Valley College.

    Visit each college’s welcome center directly to inquire about production pathways. Hollywood CPR cannot answer any questions related to college enrollment or financial aid.

Orientation Requirements

  • For help with coursework, transcripts, or portfolio development, contact your college or pipeline program directly.

    Hollywood CPR does not provide advising on college coursework or portfolio development.

  • No. Hollywood CPR does not assign craft pathways. Applicants must apply with a clearly identified craft focus.

    LACCD college pipeline programs are strongly recommended for exploring different crafts before applying.

  • No. Hollywood CPR does not guarantee job placement or union membership.

    Pipeline programs prepare participants to apply to Hollywood CPR’s Craft Training and Job Placement program with a digital portfolio evaluated by HCPR’s Industry Professionals.

  • Our training and placement opportunities are tied directly to industry capacity: available instructors, training slots, and productions that can absorb new workers without displacing existing union members.

    This means:

    • We do not move people into training and job placement if there is nowhere for them to apply their skills at their current baseline.

    • We prioritize timing that protects long-term careers over short-cuts.

    The process is intentionally staged so that when candidates advance, they are entering an environment where:

    • their work can be evaluated meaningfully,

    • instructors have time to mentor,

    • evaluations from industry professional lead to real employment opportunities and long-term career outcomes

  • Enroll in the next FLM PRD 100 class to find out.

  • Required Orientation: Completion of Hollywood CPR’s Orientation Requirements via FLM PRD 100 offered at various LACCD campuses. View the calendar to see when it is offered next. Inquire directly with the college’s welcome center on the phone or in person to understand when it can be offered next and any specific enrollment requirements.

    Skillset Evaluations: FLM PRD 100 will explain what qualifies towards the following Hollywood CPR’s portfolio requirements:

    • Demonstrated experience using the specific Tools or Technology related to your pathway of interest

    • Demonstrated experience implementing Safety Best Practices related to your pathway of interest

    • Evaluation from an industry professional in your craft proving that you meet the Baseline Requirements needed to advance within your pathway of interest

    • Demonstrated work experience related to your pathway of interest

    Personal Statement: outlining your background, experience, network, and interest in completing advanced craft training with active department heads and industry professionals working on union productions.

    IMDb: link to your profile highlighting the projects you’ve worked on related to your pathway of interest.

    Resume: with at least 5 credits and 3 references directly related to your pathway of interest.

    Digitized Portfolio: highlighting at least 10 productions you’ve worked on related to your pathway of interest.

    Project Log: an active work experience tracker clearly indicating paid and unpaid work experience related to your pathway of interest.

    Quarterly Submissions: Hollywood CPR accepts portfolios for certain pathways each quarter based on placement availability and portfolio quality.

Program Requirements