Hollywood CPR Crew Model

Hollywood CPR receives a high volume of interest and have limited training and placement capacity each cycle.

This page explains each stage in the program and what is required to advance.

Reviewing it first will answer most eligibility and timing questions about the program.

Emerging Crew

Emerging Crew are individuals pursuing behind-the-scenes careers in a specific department who have completed Hollywood CPR’s orientation requirements.

Hollywood CPR partners with LACCD to help Emerging Crew members:

  • complete HCPR’s orientation requirements

  • create a portfolio that will ensure entry into HCPR’s next training cohort

  • gain early exposure to production environments and begin building the relationships that later lead to paid opportunities

Individuals without active experience in a craft should continue building skills through LACCD’s programs to be a competitive applicant for HCPR’s IATSE-led craft training cohorts.

Training Crew

Training Crew are individuals who have been accepted into Hollywood CPR’s craft-specific training with IATSE Industry Professionals. Training Crew positions are limited and offered based on portfolio quality, program capacity, and industry demand for each pathway.

To be considered, candidates must:

  • submit a digitized portfolio featuring projects, work experience hours, and supervisor evaluations in their craft

  • an endorsement from an LACCD craft instructor

  • reliable transportation

This ensures applicants are able to demonstrate reliability to IATSE craft instructors —factors that directly influence future hiring referrals.

Working Crew

Working Crew are individuals who have completed Hollywood CPR’s craft training requirements and received endorsements from IATSE Industry Professionals. Working Crew status reflects readiness to be considered for paid work opportunities, not guaranteed job placement.

Placement is based on:

  • employer demand

  • relationship building skills

  • positive references from HCPR’s network of IATSE Industry Professionals

After 640 paid hours or 30 permit days on a union set, Working Crew may be considered for graduation from the program after a final assessment. Hollywood CPR does not guarantee job placement or union membership.

Getting Started with Hollywood CPR

Orientation is required to join Hollywood CPR’s Emerging Crew status. Emerging Crew status makes you eligible to apply for future IATSE craft training cohorts, but does not guarantee you future placement.

Hollywood CPR partners with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) to offer FLM PRD 100 at LACCD campuses. Completion of FLM PRD 100 satisfies Hollywood CPR’s orientation requirement.

  • At this time, FLM PRD 100 is the only approved orientation format being offered.

  • Registration at your LACCD college of choice is required.

  • Please work directly with each campus regarding enrollment and participation requirements.

  • Complete “Next Steps” section below.

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

  • Visit the College’s Welcome Center or Registration Fair with questions about enrolling or financial aid

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

Next Steps

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

FLM PRD 100 is valuable even if you do not ultimately enroll in Hollywood CPR. The course teaches how project-based careers in film and television actually function and how to begin building paid experience and professional relationships behind the scenes. Students will gain exposure to working professionals who can offer guidance, context, and mentorship as they build experience or determine which craft is for them.

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 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 or LACCD college pipeline courses.

    Hollywood CPR craft training is designed for individuals who are ready to pursue behind-the-scenes work as a professional career. Unfortunately due to the uniqueness of these roles, this only can be determined with hands-on experience on real sets.

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.

    Training prepares participants to be evaluated by IATSE professionals, and referrals are based on demonstrated readiness and employer demand.

  • Hollywood CPR moves at the pace of real work opportunities — not at the pace of interested applicants.

    Our training and advancement are tied directly to actual industry capacity: available instructors, supervised training slots, and real productions that can absorb new workers without displacing existing union members. When the industry slows, opportunities slow with it.

    This means:

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

    • We do not rush candidates forward just to “keep things moving.”

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

    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,

    • and referrals lead to real employment

    If the process feels slower than school or other programs, it’s because Hollywood CPR is aligned with how careers are actually created and filled in the most competitive industry in the world.

    This is why 90% of our alumni who enter the union are still active members after 15 or more years.

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

Program Requirements