Rock Valley College

12/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/05/2025 14:15

Fast Track Your Future in Film Production

Fast Track Your Future in Film Production

  • Students
  • 12/05/2025

Rock Valley College is stepping into the spotlight as it partners with the Illinois Film Office (IFO) to spark a new wave of Film and TV production in the region.

Program Manager and Instructor Jerry LaBuy (bottom row, second from right) with a group of students who participated in the Illinois Film Office (IFO) program

Beginning January 2026, RVC's Mass Communication department will launch a free intensive training course designed to prepare individuals for entry-level work in the motion picture industry. All program completers will be credentialed and added to a talent pool with the IFO.

"We are excited to offer this exciting initiative that will give participants real-world and hands-on production experience. This free and stipend-paid training will prepare them for production assistant jobs in Illinois television and film production," said Jerry LaBuy, Program Manager and Instructor at Rock Valley College.

The course is now accepting applications, and seating is limited. This program is specifically designed to increase the participation of women, gender non-conforming individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color in the creative workforce. Participants must be 18 years or older, live in Illinois, and must have a high school diploma or GED. No prior experience in film and TV is required.

Students will learn:

  • An introduction to the film industry,
  • How to be a production assistant,
  • And will get assistance with career coaching and creating their resume.

"It is an excellent introduction to the many avenues of the TV and Film Production Industry," said recent program graduate Katie Meinhert. "The curriculum introduces participants to essential set etiquette and offers a blend of hands-on training, real-world scenarios, and mentorship from industry professionals. It offers a clearer sense of career direction and empowers students with the skills they need to feel confident in pursuing employment as a Production Assistant (and beyond!). I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in pursuing a path in the industry."

The program will take place over five weeks, beginning on January 21, 2026. Classes will be held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and will include some special field trips on Saturdays. Program completers will be recognized in a ceremony on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

"Each of our IFO class mentors is a working industry professional who brings real-world knowledge straight to the classroom," said program co-instructor Lonnie Iske. "Their hands-on instruction bridges the gap between theory and practice, giving students an education rooted in real industry experience."

Made possible through support from the Illinois Film Office and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, this program offers a rare chance to break into one of the most dynamic creative industries. Don't miss your opportunity to be part of it. For more information, please contact Program Manager and Instructor Jerry LaBuy at [email protected] or call (815) 921-3360.

"This is an invaluable opportunity to see first-hand the inner workings of the film and tv world. Students gain an understanding that goes beyond book knowledge, but actual field knowledge."
Julia Moore, IFO program instructor

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Rock Valley College published this content on December 05, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 05, 2025 at 20:15 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]