Launching the Pilot Post Production Supervisor Training Program
“As always, you all have put together an amazing program compacted with knowledge that it would’ve taken us all years of trial and error to get right. I am so thankful for this program and though nervous for what the future holds, I am once again excited to wrap up this course and get to work!” - Gabrielle McDaniels, WarnerMedia Access Post Production Supervisor Trainee, Winter 2022
After successfully training 62 early-career professionals for post production coordinator jobs, Reel Works is thrilled to have launched the first post production supervisor training in January. Led by Reel Works’ MediaMKRS workforce development program and WarnerMedia Access to Action, this program expands on their commitment to build a more inclusive workforce, specifically focusing on diversifying the field of Post Production. Fourteen talented New Yorkers were selected for this program for seven weeks of intensive virtual classes to prepare them to work as Post Production Supervisors in high-end scripted television.
The course is being taught by Kristen Troyansky whose credits include Post Production Supervisor on Amazon Prime’s “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and Post Production Co-Producer on Showtime’s “Billions” and Jeffrey Copeland whose credits include Post Producer on the documentary films “Phoenix Rising” and “Bigger than Water.” They have such differing expertise within Post Production and are able to contribute greatly to the class with their unique perspectives and backgrounds.
“As a post professional with years experience in the unscripted world, I think it was particularly important to work with Kristen, as she brought a wealth of insight, experience, and know-how from the scripted side. And, as HBO and so many networks expand both their scripted and unscripted slates, it was so important for cohort participants to gain exposure to both workflows - and we were able to do just that!” - Jeffrey Copeland, WarnerMedia Access Post Production Supervisor Instructor, Winter 2022
The curriculum, which was developed in collaboration with a team of post professionals at HBO, covers a range of topics from budgeting, scheduling,VFX, sound, color correction and more. Classes are structured with lectures and breakout activities where trainees are given an opportunity to practice what they are learning with real-life scenarios. Not only are the trainees provided with excellent insight from their instructors, but also each class has featured a professional guest speaker related to the topic covered in the class to add unique insight and answer questions from the trainees.
“We have worked very carefully to curate a curriculum designed to give trainees a base level understanding of the role of the Post Production Supervisor in a high end, scripted scenario which they can then apply to the individual and unique situations that they will face in the practical world.” - Kristen Troyansky, WarnerMedia Access Post Production Supervisor Instructor, Winter 2022
The guest speakers have included everyone from a production accountant with experience on HBO shows, to a dailies colorist from a large post facility, to a Visual Effects Executive, and even a supervising sound editor. These guest speakers have truly enhanced the classes; one of the trainees, Gautam Singhani, noted that "What I love most about all the Reel Work programs are the guest speakers! I learn so much from hearing real life scenarios from professionals and learning from their challenges - that to me is invaluable knowledge.”
The seven week program concluded on February 22, 2022, with a celebratory graduation and networking event where the trainees got the chance to meet one-on-one with post professionals and HBO Executives to expand their network within the industry. From the start, one of the goals of the program has been to give the students the confidence to present the skills that they already had and the skills they’ve acquired in this course to secure a job in the post-production field at the management level. We are thrilled for the students to get an opportunity to begin fulfilling this goal next week and cannot wait to see what amazing jobs they land after the program concludes!