LIGHT INSIDECINEMA
The VIP program

Veterans in
production.

Free film training on real sets. Start as a production assistant and work your way into the key roles.

Sign up

Learn it
on set.

Film school teaches theory. We teach on a working set.

VIP is our training program for veterans and active duty service members. Every training day is a real production with a real call time. A working professional leads each department and teaches while we shoot.

You don't need experience. You don't need a film degree. You need to show up ready to learn.

The path.

  1. Production assistant

    Learn set life. Call times, radios, lockups, and how a crew moves as one.

  2. Department

    Pick camera, lighting, grip, sound, directing or post. Learn it next to a pro.

  3. Key role

    Run your department on a training film. Lead a team again.

Stephen, an Army veteran, holding the boom mic on a Light Inside Cinema training day
From the crew

No interest.
Until yesterday.

Y'all, I have no words for what happened yesterday. I was blown away at how well we all worked together, meshed together, and how great it was being mission oriented again. I look forward to working with y'all in the future!

Mind you, I had no intention or interest in working in the film industry until yesterday.

StephenArmy veteran, 10 years

Every
department.

Camera

Operators, first and second ACs, DITs.

Lighting

Gaffers, best boys, set electricians.

Grip

Key grips, dolly, rigging, flags and frames.

Sound

Production mixers and boom operators.

Production

Assistant directors, coordinators, PAs.

Post

Editors and colorists.

A veteran operating camera during a Light Inside Cinema training day

Real
credits.

Every training film ends with a credit and footage you can show.

Veterans leave with work for their reel and people in the industry who know their name. When you're ready, we help you find paid work on professional crews.

Hire a VIP veteran
A veteran on cameraLIC 5219 01A
Setting a light on setLIC 5219 02A
The crew on the dollyLIC 5219 03A
An Army veteran rigging a lightLIC 5219 04A
Boom and slate before a takeLIC 5219 05A
Walking through the scriptLIC 5219 06A
Stephen on boomLIC 5219 07A
Operating camera at the pubLIC 5219 08A
The slateLIC 5219 09A
Thumbs up after a takeLIC 5219 10A
Two veterans laughing on setLIC 5219 11A
The whole crewLIC 5219 12A

Questions.

Does VIP cost anything?

No. Training is free for veterans and active duty service members.

Do I need film experience?

No. Most veterans in VIP start from zero.

How often are training days?

Training days run through the year as sponsors fund them. Sign up or join the Facebook group to hear first.

Do I get paid?

Training days are unpaid learning days. When you're ready, we help you find paid crew work.

Your first call time.

Sign up and we'll see you on set.

Sign up
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QuestionsStraight answers for veterans and supporters.Donate gearPut your old camera in a veteran's hands.Become a memberFrom $25 a year. Wear the mission.