New program to provide training for film industry in Sask.

A new program announced by the Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association (SMPIA) could mean more lights, cameras and action in Saskatchewan.

Funding of $900,000 will allow SMPIA to facilitate on-the-ground training and mentorship for people new to the film industry and those looking to advance their careers. The funding comes through Prairies Economic Development Canada, and is intended to support 50 Saskatchewan residents with the training.

“It’s a pretty exciting time for individuals, and there is a great interest,” said Laura Ross, Saskatchewan’s minister for parks, culture and sport.

There will be pre-employment training workshops and paid on-set mentored positions with Saskatchewan productions, SMPIA noted, and within the training model there will be a minimum of 30 per cent Indigenous participation.

Dan Vandal, the federal minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, said it’s important to have Indigenous visibility in the film industry.

“We’ve long been strong supporters of Indigenous cultural content. We’ve worked closely with Indigenous production companies,” he said.

“We feel like everybody benefits when partnerships between different levels of government, production companies and Indigenous production companies occur.”

In November, it was announced that a high-tech sound stage is coming to Saskatchewan, which will help filmmakers create and shoot their projects in the province.

“(Production companies) will need a fairly comprehensive crew of individuals who are ready and prepared to step right up when that construction is completed,” Ross said.

For people looking at getting into the program, there will be a couple of options. One of them is the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT).

“Their people may be in their construction (or) electrical. They don’t have to be actors, camera people and so on, but they can be trained in,” said Ken Alecxe, SMPIA’s executive director.

Alternatively, Alecxe advised anyone interested in the program to contact a Saskatchewan production company directly.

“They’re actually the employers; not SMPIA, not the government,” he said.

Alecxe said if someone is approved for the program, there will be up to 50 days of training, but it will vary depending on the position.

“It’s not everything we need, but with the base that we already have in the province, plus these new ones, plus if we can get further funding, then it can be successful,” he said.

Ross said there was recently a film project in Maple Creek with extras from the community involved.

“We have the opportunity to make sure that our film industry is not just centred in Regina or Saskatoon, but that it’s across the whole province,” she said.

The program started on April 1, and will run until April 1, 2024.