An online course will be led by Gary Romolo Fiorelli and covers:

• Fundamentals of Production Assisting

• Production Assisting: On-Set Protocol

• Production Assisting: Paperwork & Department Interaction

• Call Sheets

A two-day in-person workshop will be led by a DGA Assistant Director. The workshop will dive deeper into the subjects learned in the online segment, covering additional subjects such as:

• Understanding the Flow of a Set

• Using Radios for Film Production

• Navigating Unions

• Going from PA to Assistant Director

At the end of the program, a select group of passing participants will be placed on a Tampa Bay production. The trainees will receive IMDb credit and invaluable networking opportunities.    

Applicants must be 18+ years old and be residents of Hillsborough County, Florida.

Application Period: August 31 – September 30, 2026

Selection Period: October 1 – October 9, 2026

Notification Date: October 14, 2026

Registration: October 19 – 30, 2026

Online Course: November 1 – December 31, 2026

In-Person Workshop: The workshop will be held over a weekend in January 2027. Details will be provided soon.

This program is specifically designed for people who want to have a career on a film set. Though it will go over PA duties specifically, if you are curious about a specific department, advice can also be given about these roles. People who aspire to be directors (without taking the traditional on-set route), writers, editors, or actors are unlikely to benefit from this program. 

This training course and workshop is $825 all-inclusive.

Film Tampa Bay is offering 12 partial scholarships. Scholarship recipients will then be responsible for the remaining $250. Scholarship decisions will be made by a selection committee based on the merit of the submitted application.

A total of 20 participants will be accepted for the program, including 12 scholarship recipients. Successful applicants will be notified after the selection period whether they are accepted as a self-funded or scholarship participant.

Please direct any further questions to sallen@visittampabay.com.

After successful completion of the online courses and in-person workshop, a select number of trainees will be eligible to be a paid day-player on a local production. Film Tampa Bay staff will be in touch with eligible trainees to organize placements. Placements are not guaranteed and are dependent on the following:

• Availability

• Trainee performance and engagement

• Production/trainee schedules

Departments of interest will be considered during the placement process.

1. Eligibility

Applicants must be 18+ years old and live in Hillsborough County, Florida.

2. Application Does Not Guarantee Selection

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the training program or receipt of a scholarship. All applications are subject to review and availability.

3. Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed, and selections will be made by the Selection Committee based on the program’s eligibility requirements, application materials, qualifications, stated goals, and other factors determined appropriate by the committee.

4. Scholarship Awards

Scholarship awards are limited. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee that an applicant will receive funding or that the scholarship will cover all costs associated with participating in the program. Scholarship funds are not transferable and will not be provided directly to the awardee as cash or a cash equivalent. Any scholarship awarded will be applied directly toward the cost of the training program. The awardee is responsible for paying any remaining balance, fees, or costs not covered by the scholarship by the applicable payment deadline.

5. Final Decisions

All decisions of the Selection Committee regarding admission to the program and scholarship awards are final and not subject to appeal.

6. Accuracy of Information

Applicants are responsible for providing complete and accurate information in their application. Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information may result in disqualification or withdrawal of an award.

7. Notification

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application according to the program's stated notification timeline. Selected applicants will be required to confirm their participation by a specified deadline.

8. Program Changes

The program reserves the right to modify program dates, content, requirements, scholarship availability, or other program details when necessary.

9. Agreement to Terms

By submitting an application, the applicant confirms that they have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.