FILM CREW ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM (FCAP)

If during an interview by a production I am asked if I qualify for the Film Crew Advancement Program, how do I know?

  1. This is my very first time working in this department on a feature film/television production. [This may apply to graduates of the Film Technicians Training Program (FTTP) and/or Alton Walpole's Production Assistant Class.]
  2. I do not have a feature film credit in a higher position in this department, and I do not have more than one credit in this level position. (A credit is from work on a feature film, a television episodic/series, and/or a television movie of the week.)
  3. I have not worked in this position in the last 5 years and do not have a credit in a higher position within this department.
  4. I have "open hours." Meaning, I filled out the FCAP Trainee-Mentor Agreement before and have not worked more than 1040 hours in this position on productions. (Training hours are capped at 1040.)

If any of the above is TRUE and you are a New Mexico resident, you would qualify for FCAP once you are hired. If you would like to participate, please find a Mentor*, sign the agreement and turn it into the production accounting office as soon as you are hired or begin working.

*Important Note: Before you interview with a union contracted production, you will have to be a member of that union for any position in that union's jurisdiction. You may also qualify if you are in the application process with that union AND have their approval.

Why participate?

This is an incentive for productions to hire you without the film credits you may typically need. You will gain an average of 2 to 3 film credits in the process of completing your hours. This will give you the experience you need to be hired on your own merit in this new position. Productions will hire more New Mexicans, giving them an opportunity to gain more experience and move up in positions as the NM crew base grows. This incentive is important for attracting films to shoot in NM.

(Please note if a participant does not work more than 80 hours in their hired position they cannot open hours.)

*What are the responsibilities of a Mentor?

The Mentor is usually a supervisor in the correlating department and is there to answer questions. A Mentor serves as a resource for information for the Trainee. The Mentor guides the Trainee throughout the production as this is a hands-on program. The Trainee should have enough transferable skills for the hired position. Again, this is an opportunity for a Trainee to prove their capabilities and gain film credits to be hired in this position after their hours are completed.

All Trainees require a Mentor. No Mentors can be Trainees.