4.19.2023
Cinespace Studios Toronto Launches CineCares Workforce Training Program For Below-The-Line Crew Roles
Cinespace Studios

Training with IATSE Local 873 and On-set Placement with Productions to Create Market-Ready Workers for Film/TV Industry

Toronto – Cinespace Studios announced the launch of the CineCares Workforce Training program in Toronto to recruit, train and offer meaningful paid work placements on productions filming at Cinespace Studios Toronto to bring new and qualified crew members to the film and television sector in the region.

IATSE Local 873, the largest union of film technicians in Ontario, will be the program’s training partner. Trainees will receive hands-on training on signatory productions for Set Decorators, Props, Grip, Lighting, and General Labour for up to twelve (12) weeks and will, upon starting their paid placements, gain permit status with IATSE Local 873. The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), POV, and BIPOC TV & FILM, leading organizations in Canada advancing the presence of underrepresented communities in the sector have come on board as the program’s first community partners.

The inaugural cohort of CineCares trainees will be trained and then placed on set for productions filming at Cinespace Toronto campuses, including NBCUniversal’s Chucky, which is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group. Warner Bros. Discovery Access to Action Canada is also committed to placing trainees on one of its Toronto-based productions.

Cinespace Studios launched the CineCares Workforce Training Program in Chicago in 2017 with NBCUniversal, Wolf Entertainment and IATSE Local 476, with trainee placements across the One Chicago franchise, which includes Universal Television-produced dramas Chicago Fire, Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. Additional Chicago program partners have also included Lionsgate TV, Disney TV Studios, Sony TV, AMC and HBO. The Chicago program has hosted 86 trainees to date and more than 50% of them trained in union positions have received their union card across IATSE Local 476 Studio Mechanics, IATSE Local 600 International Cinematographers Guild, and IATSE Local 769 Theatrical Wardrobe.

“Cinespace is committed to building initiatives that promote equity and inclusion in the Film and TV industry in communities where we operate,” said Ashley Rice, President & Co-Managing Partner, Cinespace Studios. “With our partners, we’re excited to offer

wrap-around support and mentorship for our trainees so that they will have the tools to be market ready and successful in this industry.”

“We are happy to partner with Cinespace Studios for the first time for this valuable workforce development program. The initiative will give participants from under-represented communities the opportunity to learn the skills and gain the experience needed to pursue employment in the industry, which we hope will lead to long and prosperous careers for them all,” said Angela Mastronardi, President of IATSE Local 873.

“The expansion of the CineCares Workforce Training Program into Canada is a major milestone for our efforts to increase representation in below-the-line roles on television. We’ve seen tremendous success on our Chicago-based productions through our long-standing partnership with CineCares, and now we can include our first-ever international production as part of those efforts,” said Jeanne Mau, Senior Vice President of TV Programming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, NBCUniversal. “This move opens the door for us to effect greater change in a market that is increasingly important to our overall business.”

“Warner Bros. Discovery Access to Action Canada is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for historically marginalized communities,” said Erika Kumar, Director WBD Access Canada. “This partnership with CineCares delivers on our commitment to inclusion by assisting us with training and placement of emerging and underrepresented talent.”

“Ontario is a place where hard work pays off and big dreams come true,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Through the CineCares Workforce Training program job seekers will gain the tools they need for better careers in the arts and earn bigger paycheques closer to home.”

Cinespace Studios Toronto also recently announced an education initiative with York University to create a Production Accounting Micro-Credential program in response to a growing demand for film and television skilled labour and a specific need for production accountants in Ontario.

Credits
Our clients create groundbreaking films and television.
Stranger Things
Network: Netflix
Studio: Netflix
Season 1 on Netflix
Black Panther
Network: Walt Disney Studios
Studio: Marvel Studios
Film on Disney+
Cabinet of Curiosities
Network: Netflix
Studio: Netflix
Season 1 on Netflix
The Strain
Network: FX
Studio: FX
Season 4 on FX on Hulu
Locke and Key
Network: Netflix
Studio: Netflix
Season 3 on Netflix
The Expanse
Network: Amazon
Studio: Alcon TV
Season 6 on Amazon
Nightmare Alley
Network: Searchlight
Studio: Searchlight
Film on HBO MAX
See
Network: Apple
Studio: Chernin Entertainment
Season 3 on Apple TV+
The Accused
Network: Fox
Studio: Sony Pictures Television
Season 1 on Fox
Black Mirror
Network: Netflix
Studio: Netflix
Season 5 on Netflix
American Gods
Network: Starz
Studio: Starz
Season 3 on Starz
Shape of Water
Network: Searchlight
Studio: Searchlight
Film on Amazon Prime
Chucky
Network: SyFy
Studio: UCP
Season 2 on SyFy
Titans
Network: HBOMax
Studio: Warner Bros. TV
Season 3 on HBO MAX
Umbrella Academy
Network: Netflix
Studio: UCP
Season 3 on Netflix
Handmaids Tale
Network: Hulu
Studio: MGM
Season 5 on Hulu
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Network: Amazon
Studio: WIIP
Season 2 on Amazon Prime
George and Tammy
Network: Paramount+
Studio: 101 Studios
Season 1 on Hulu
Shameless
Network: Showtime
Studio: Warner Bros. TV
Season 11 on Showtime
Southside
Network: HBOMax
Studio: MTV/Jax Media
Season 3 on HBO MAX
Empire
Network: Fox
Studio: 20th TV
Season 6 on Hulu
Night Sky
Network: Amazon
Studio: Legendary
Season 1 on Amazon Prime
Divergent
Network: Summit Entertainment
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Film on HBO MAX
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Network: Paramount Pictures
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Film on Paramount+
Paper Girls
Network: Amazon
Studio: Legendary
Season 1 on Amazon Prime Video
Fargo
Network: FX
Studio: FX
Season 4 on FX on Hulu
The Bear
Network: Hulu
Studio: FX
Season 1 on FX on Hulu
The Chi
Network: Showtime
Studio: 20th TV
Season 5 on Showtime
Power Book IV: Force
Network: Starz
Studio: Lionsgate
Season 1 on STARZ
Chicago Fire
Network: NBC
Studio: Universal TV
Season 11 on NBC
Chicago PD
Network: NBC
Studio: Universal TV
Season 10 on NBC
Chicago Med
Network: NBC
Studio: Universal TV
Season 8 on NBC

This website uses cookies or other identifiers, which are necessary for its functioning. To learn more, please refer to the cookie policy. You can accept the use of cookies or other identifiers by closing or clicking the accept button.

Accept