Our Programs
Production Assistant Training
Streetlights is the only entry-level production training of its kind, requiring each graduate to complete 240 hours of industry-dictated job preparation, 120 of which are spent working on actual productions. Our PA curriculum is the only one of its kind—given the freelance nature of production, job placement is provided so graduates can establish a network of contacts.
A Production Assistant (PA) is an entry-level position behind-the-camera in Films, TV, Streaming Media and Commercials. It is an excellent and accepted way to get your foot in the door and learn the ropes.
Taught by industry professionals, aspiring PAs learn everything from walkie-talkies to petty cash reconciliation, from lock-up to Who’s Who on the job, as well office and on-set practices and protocols. Extensive preparation allows the new PAs to be valuable crew members from their very first day on the job.
Qualifying for our program is rigorous—applicants undergo a thorough selection process. Due to the limited availability of jobs, only the most motivated will gain admittance into class. Classes are conducted a maximum of four times per year. Applications are accepted year round.
As a service to both our new and seasoned graduates, and to the many production companies contacting us to hire skilled workers, Streetlights maintains an up-to-date Availability Roster that enables us to readily fill the job requests we receive with the most appropriate and experienced graduate for the job.
Career Advancement
Advancement Pathways
For those interested in executive and creative pursuits, we develop long-term and on-staff careers at studios, networks and production companies to help our senior graduates advance as job skills grow. Streetlights graduates have garnered success on many levels, including Coordinator, Paramount Global Multi-Platform Group; Director of Post Production, Warner Bros; and Creator/Showrunner, Black Mafia Family; Head of Production with Tyler Perry, to name just a few of our graduates’ achievements. Several are Production Company owners, producing commercials, streaming projects, features and television shows.
Union Initiatives
The Commercial Diversity Initiative, or CDI, was created in the year 2000 by Streetlights alongside Advertiser and Ad Agency partners Procter & Gamble and Saatchi & Saatchi for commercial production. CDI offers qualified, experienced Streetlights graduates a chance to make that difficult first move up the career ladder and into industry unions. Through this endeavor, these graduates earn Union membership in their chosen department, with options for career choices, access to higher wages and Union benefits, and the opportunity to gain both economic and social parity.
The Studio Union Initiative was launched in 2020 with MBS Services, facilitating paid training into the Stage Managers Union.
Other studios subsequently followed including Amazon Studios, Paramount Studios, Artists Equity, and NBC Universal, whereby very Streetlights graduates may are given the opportunity to gain Union Eligibility into their chosen department by working on a television or feature project.
Graduates are Members of IATSE Locals as well as the WGA and DGA.