Education

Training Our Crews

Local 479 has a proud history of experienced crews mentoring its newer members, and as our local has grown we have built upon that culture of members-training-members. Today our local features an educational curriculum designed to pass along the best practices in use by technicians in a variety of specialized crafts from our industry. With dedicated training workspaces and classrooms, our local is becoming a national leader within the IATSE. Our newest members are expected to participate, while our most experienced members are encouraged to lead by example and to share their time and knowledge with the next generation.

Education Calendar

Members in good standing who wish to enroll in any of the training classes we offer should send an email to [email protected]  Please be sure to include your full legal name and the date of the specific class(es) you wish to attend.  Please note that emails sent after business hours will be answered on the next business day during normal operating hours.

May 2023

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
  • Costume Fitting - 70…
  • Plant Mics, How, Whe…
3
  • Costume Fitting - 70…
  • Acoustics (New Class…
  • Introduction to Grip…
4
  • Introduction to Grip…
  • Second Boom (Lecture…
5
6
  • Heartsaver CPR with …
  • Introduction to the …
7
  • Introduction to the …
8
9
  • Overview of the Soun…
10
  • Aging and Distressin…
  • Sound Utility 101 wi…
11
  • Aging and Distressin…
12
13
14
15
16
  • Boom Operator Operat…
  • Construction Basics …
  • Heartsaver CPR with …
17
  • Boom Pole Handling w…
  • Construction Propmak…
  • Introduction to Grip…
18
  • All about Boom Poles…
  • Const. Hand and Powe…
  • Introduction to Grip…
19
  • Introduction to Cost…
20
  • Training with Kino @…
21
22
  • MEWP Training - Loca…
23
  • Boom Op Specialty Pr…
  • MEWP Training - Loca…
  • Costuming - Script B…
24
  • Cables and Carpets w…
  • Wallpapering with Wi…
  • Costuming - Script B…
25
  • Heartsaver CPR with …
  • Introduction to Wood…
  • Selecting the right …
26
27
  • HOLIDAY N0 CLASSES
28
  • HOLIDAY N0 CLASSES
29
  • HOLIDAY N0 CLASSES
30
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  • Introduction to the …
May 31, 2023
  • Introduction to the Electric Department with Stewart Ebneter Day 1

    May 31, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
    IATSE local 479, 4220 International Pkwy Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30354, USA

    INTRO TO ELECTRIC DEPT—bring your gloves

    We will cover all aspects of the job of lamp operator, including productions from the largest to the smallest.

    Day 1

    History

    Overview of functions and integration of grip, elec, cam departments

    Inventory and care of equipment, call sheets and timecards

    Tools and personal kit

    The truck

    Walkies

    Rigging

    Power distribution 

    Generators

    Safety

    Day 2

    Stands

    Tungsten

    HMI

    LED

    Gels, soft goods,  all other expendables 

    Knots, ropes

    More Safety


    To attend this course, please send an email to [email protected] with the course dates, title and your full legal name. Thank you.

    Kevin Amick, Local 479 Director of Education and Training

    See more details

June 1, 2023
  • Introduction to the Electric Department with Stewart Ebneter Day 2

    June 1, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
    IATSE local 479, 4220 International Pkwy Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30354, USA

    INTRO TO ELECTRIC DEPT—bring your gloves

    We will cover all aspects of the job of lamp operator, including productions from the largest to the smallest.

    Day 1

    History

    Overview of functions and integration of grip, elec, cam departments

    Inventory and care of equipment, call sheets and timecards

    Tools and personal kit

    The truck

    Walkies

    Rigging

    Power distribution 

    Generators

    Safety

    Day 2

    Stands

    Tungsten

    HMI

    LED

    Gels, soft goods,  all other expendables 

    Knots, ropes

    More Safety


    To attend this course, please send an email to [email protected] with the course dates, title and your full legal name. Thank you.

    Kevin Amick, Local 479 Director of Education and Training

    See more details

  • MEWP Training - Local 479 Training Center

    June 1, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
    IATSE local 479, 4220 International Pkwy Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30354, USA

    To request attendance to this course, please send an email to [email protected]. Please include your name along with Course Title and Date of the Course.

    This training prepares an individual to understand the hazards involved in operating specific equipment. Course includes in-classroom and hands-on training for Mobile Elevated Work Platforms.

    • Responsibilities as a user and operator
    • Conducting a pre-start inspection
    • Conducting a workplace inspection
    • Various types of equipment
    • Preventing accidents and identifying hazards in operation
    • Teaching materials:
    • Safety guidelines booklet
      Course completion wallet card

    There are 20 seats available for this class

    To request attendance to this course, please send an email to [email protected]. Please include your name along with Course Title and Date of the Course. 

    Thank you, 

    Kevin Amick, 

    Local 479 Director of Education and Training

    See more details

June 2, 2023
  • FORKLIFT Training - Local 479 Education Workshop 1

    June 2, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
    IATSE local 479, 4220 International Pkwy Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30354, USA

    This training prepares an individual to understand the hazards involved in operating specific equipment. Course includes in-classroom and hands-on training for Forklifts.

    • Responsibilities as a user and operator
    • Conducting a pre-start inspection
    • Conducting a workplace inspection
    • Various types of equipment
    • Preventing accidents and identifying hazards in operation
    • Teaching materials:
      • Safety guidelines booklet
      • Course completion wallet card
      • There are 20 seats available for this class

    To request attendance to this course, please send an email to [email protected]. Please include your name along with Course Title and Date of the Course. 

    Thank you, 

    Kevin Amick, 

    Local 479 Director of Education and Training

    See more details

June 3, 2023
  • IN THE PROP SHOP with Nikki Giovacchini DAY 1

    June 3, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    IATSE local 479, 4220 International Pkwy Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30354, USA

    Local 479 Member, Nikki Giovacchini will be instructing "IN THE PROP SHOP", on June 3-4. This class we will be hands on, starting with the basics of set dressing and props department and how they work closely together. We will complete 5 hands on exercises and be introduced to some new tools that can greatly increase your value and hireability. Please bring a small tool kit, dress for work you will be getting messy.

    There are 25 available spots for this course.

    To request attendance to this course, please send an email to [email protected]. Please include your name along with Course Title and Date of the Course.

    Thank you, 

    Kevin Amick, Local 479 Director of Education and Training

    See more details

June 4, 2023
  • IN THE PROP SHOP with Nikki Giovacchini DAY 2

    June 4, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    IATSE local 479, 4220 International Pkwy Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30354, USA

    Local 479 Member, Nikki Giovacchini will be instructing "IN THE PROP SHOP", on June 3-4. This class we will be hands on, starting with the basics of set dressing and props department and how they work closely together. We will complete 5 hands on exercises and be introduced to some new tools that can greatly increase your value and hireability. Please bring a small tool kit, dress for work you will be getting messy.

    There are 25 available spots for this course.

    To request attendance to this course, please send an email to [email protected]. Please include your name along with Course Title and Date of the Course.

    Thank you, 

    Kevin Amick, Local 479 Director of Education and Training

    See more details

Education Leadership Team

Kevin Amick

Director of Education

Kevin is a strong believer in the importance of members training members. He develops new and continuing education programs in coordination with working members, the IATSE Training Trust Fund, and other industry resources. Kevin is an active member of the ESTA Technical Standards Program, is an OSHA Outreach Instructor, and serves as a Trustee to the IATSE Training Trust Fund (TTF).

Felicia Smith

Assistant Director of Education

Felicia is the Assistant Director of Education. She works closely with the Director of Education and trainers in the development and preparation of coursework, and the set-up of classrooms and workshops to ensure the best training experience possible.

Janika 'Blue' Kinsey

Janika "Blue" Kinsey

Administrative Assistant

Blue provides support to the education staff for training programs and administrative procedures.

Education Classes

Local 479’s hands-on, interactive classes expose students to all aspects of the techniques employed by the craft and provide direct access to experts in the field, from vendor reps and equipment suppliers to department heads . Note that this page features a list of classes we have offered over the past 18 months.

How to Sign Up For Classes

Signing up for a class is really quite simple –  the difficult part is requesting attendance before a class is filled. Take a moment to review these notes:

  1. Unless noted otherwise, you must be a member in good standing of Local 479 to participate in one of our classes.
  2. Check your email frequently. We often post notices on our social media outlets as well, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, but email is the most reliable way to stay up-to-date on our current classes and their availability.
  3. If you see a class that you’d like to take, contact us immediately (in the manner specified in the email or social media posting) to get your name in the queue for a spot. You will be notified via email when you have been successfully registered for a class.
  4. If you are confirmed as an attendee for a class be sure to attend on the day and time specified. If you find yourself unable to attend a class after receiving your confirmation of registration email, PLEASE notify us by email to [email protected] as early as possible so that they may offer the spot to the next member on the waiting list.
  5. To sign up and for more information on classes contact [email protected]

Dedicated Training Facility

Our 3,000 square foot training facility features flexible spaces designed to accommodate the wide variety of crafts performed by our members.

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