CREATING ESSENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES BUILDING A STRONG, inspired and experienced workforce is essential to the creative vibrancy of our region,” said Kim Keith, executive director of Steamboat Creates. Local leaders like Kim have noticed the housing crisis is one factor impeding new workers from moving to Steamboat Springs and is also affecting every industry in Northwest Colorado from hospitality to outdoor recreation to arts and culture. So, Steamboat Creates, the certified creative district of Steamboat Springs, is doing something to bolster the local workforce. On October 21, 2023, it launched the first Intro to PA class to teach locals the basics of working on film sets as a production assistant. The course, offered for free at the Depot Art Center, was hosted in partnership with Pixel Mill Studios and the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media. Production assistants do whatever it takes to move a production forward and they get a front row seat to all aspects of filmmaking. The knowledge course participants gain can also be translated to theatre, dance and opera performances. Award-winning instructor Bruce Borowsky taught the first
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class. Bruce has been working in the film, TV and video production business since 1991. He has worked in roles from production assistant up to producer and director. He made his career working on corporate videos and is the founder and co-owner of Pixel Mill Studios in Boulder, Colorado. For years, Steamboat has worked to attract filmmakers to the community. Now Steamboat Creates is building a workforce of locals to support local needs. Film and media is one of the six creative buckets that Steamboat Creates serves. The others are visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, heritage, and design. “With a growing need for qualified tech and production support staff, Steamboat Creates is working with various partners to offer free or low-cost educational opportunities as a pathway to paid jobs in the arts,” said Kim. “Intro to PA (and other classes in the works) build practical skills for learning, work and life.” ELEVATE THE ARTS: Visit SteamboatCreates.org for upcoming classes. Looking for filmmaking talent? Reach out to Steamboat Creates or the Mountaintown Film Collective through Facebook. AwA
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