Georgia Piedmont Technical College to start film academy program

Georgia Piedmont Technical College president Jabari Simama on Thursday discussed plans in his state of the college speech to offer several new courses, including one scheduled to start next month that offers film set training for students.

The college, he said, is working with the Georgia Film Academy on the new curriculum. Students will work on television and movie sets in the Atlanta area, Simama said. Those who successfully complete the program will earn a technical certificate.

Simama said the program is part of the college’s effort to offer courses in growing industries. He cited statistics from the governor’s office that the film industry has grown into a $6 billion annual business in Georgia.

“This is not your grandfather’s vo(cational) tech,” Simama said in his address.

The college, which has campuses in DeKalb, Morgan, Newton and Rockdale counties, is also starting a drone program and a 3D printing certificate program this summer, Simama said.

Georgia Piedmont Technical College and Clark Atlanta University announced last week they will partner on offering courses to each other schools.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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