Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1487667
48 PRODUCTION SOUND & VIDEO – Winter 2023 the early days of COVID, as well as the constant reports of studios and networks willing to put the money into promoting diversity, let a volunteer group of us (made up of technicians and office members) cobble together a plan to use the Y-16A Trainee classification as the basis of a codified trainee program. Productions could hire a Trainee as an additional member of the Production Sound or Video departments. As a non- rostered position, trainees could come onto the set and begin accruing benefit hours without the need to interface with Contract Services. At the same time, they would work under the direct supervision of industry veterans, giving them hands- on, on-the-job training without the need to displace another member's job. With the right person guiding a trainee, it could serve as an alternative route to union membership than the non-union route. As we were a small group, we wanted to make sure that we weren't overstretched in what we could offer prospective members. We did not want to overpromise and underdeliver, which by necessity meant keeping the program small at first and building onto it over time. Our earliest efforts involved vetting potential candidates, both to get a sense of how suited they are for the work they are pursuing, but also to help them determine whether or not the rigorous hours and lifestyle of Hollywood production is something they're prepared to embrace. Once we had a sense of an individual's personality and strengths, we began working to place them on the correct production with a mentor team suited to their specific needs. This could be challenging, as convincing productions to hire an additional member of the crew is always a struggle. But the combination of greater events taking place in the world and relentless dedication on the part of our team began to see progress. One by one, we were able to find work for trainees on Top: Yisel booming on Angelyne. Right: Leslie Metts booming on Welcome to Chippendales. Jamie Gambell being wired at the Y16a training event by Jay Cruz The Y-16A sound trainees and program directors at their first pre-training event.