The Art Directors Council of the Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has established its first apprenticeship program designed to develop and prepare new talent for the art of production design.
A wide call for applicants from across the country will go out March 4 to colleges, universities and recent graduates. Invitations for interviews will be sent to 10 finalists, with the top two selected going on to participate in the program.
Co-chairmen of the apprenticeship program, Production Designers Jack Fisk, John Iacovelli and Thomas A Walsh, say, “This is intended to give the best and most talented aspiring designers a direct access to professional training and Guild membership. We consider this an essential service to the participants, profession and our industry.”
Each selected Production Apprentice will be mentored by working Production Designers and Art Directors, and will be exposed to a wide range of workplace experiences – feature, episodic, commercials, reality shows, live events and theme parks. This is a national program intended to be responsive to the ADG’s art direction jurisdiction, which encompasses all 50 states. The apprentices will be required to work 260 days and, pending their successful mentorship review, will be invited to join the ADG as an Assistant Art Director.
Those interested may visit the Art Directors Guild website at www.adg.org for the complete schedule and online application.
About the Art Directors Guild
The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents nearly 2,000 members who work throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers, Art Directors, Assistant Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; and Set Designers and Model Makers; and Previs Artists. Established in 1937, the ADG’s ongoing activities include a Film Society; an annual Awards Banquet, a creative/technology community (5D: The Future of Immersive Design); a bimonthly craft magazine (Perspective); and extensive technology-training programs, figure drawing and other creative workshops and year-round Gallery 800 art exhibitions. The Guild’s Online Directory/Website Resource is at www.adg.org.