The NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) CineSessions program is a workforce development initiative that recruits and hosts LA based High School Students for on-set production and entertainment career mentorships.
Each session hosts a small number of students (less than 12) in an effort to provide an intimate, focused environment for the students. Each student is paired with a production professional based on their career interests or receives presentations from working professionals on various careers in media.
Following the students’ completion of the program, NFMLA holds an annual recognition ceremony for all of the students in partnership with the City of Los Angeles.
The purpose of the ceremony is to provide professional ‘next steps’ and ‘actionable items’ for the students to build their careers. During the ceremony, we connect the students with paid internship program leaders from half a dozen LA based initiatives and organizations. CineSessions served over 240 students in 2024.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NFMLA’s CineSessions High School Student Mentorship Program invites Los Angeles County High School students to participate in an array of opportunities that are offered on a monthly basis throughout the year. These interactive programs explore various areas of entertainment, including but not limited to production opportunities and general careers in media.
BUILD YOUR RESUME
CineSessions programming is made possible by NBCU Academy, Snap Foundation, LBA Realty, Sony Pictures Entertainment, California Arts Council, LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, LA City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), Sunset Studios and Bridges/Larson Foundation. Students who participate in this program gain real world professional experience, build their resume and expand their connections in the media industry.
DIFFERENT ROLES
CineSession experiences offer a glimpse into many different roles. Some of these opportunities include:
- Cinematography (camera operation, shooting techniques, framing shots)
- Development Executive (cultivating new talent for episodic series and film)
- Directing (set language, scene composition, blocking talent)
- Distribution Executive (programming content for streaming, broadcast and cinemas)
- Lighting (three-point-lighting, soft vs. hard & natural vs. artificial lighting)
- Film Criticism (reviewing of films and TV series)
- Sound Recording (sound recording on boom, pistol and lav mics)
- Marketing (creating public facing campaigns for episodic and film content)
- Production Management (creating call sheets and shooting schedules)
To be considered for upcoming CineSessions programming, please Apply Now!
