Berkmar High School to offer a film program

Focus is to prepare students for careers in film, digital arts.

With film and television production a major economic driver in the state, Gwinnett County Public Schools will be adding a new program to prepare students for careers in that field.

Berkmar High School will house the district’s Film and Digital Arts program. An addi- tion will be built to accommo- date the new space required, said Steve Flynt, assistant superintendent for school improvement and operations during a presentation at the January Board of Education Work Session.

“There will be more focus on industry certification,” Flynt said. “Past programs weren’t directly tied to job preparedness.”

Although the program will be housed at Berkmar, Flynt said the courses will be expanded across the district. Goals of the program:

■ Students will graduate from high school with college credit, industry or pathway certifications, and/or dual enrollment courses in film and digital arts.

■ Students will be provided unique learning expe- riences, settings and schedules through a robust internship and work-based learn- ing opportunities in film and digital arts.

■ Students will e nter post-secondary school and/or the workplace with the knowl- edge and job skills that will provide an economic future and pathway for their lives. The initial program plan- ning will focus on film and animation in digital arts. There is a plan for sound stage and other learning spaces. Flynt added the district is work- ing to develop industry part- nerships for the internships and engage industry professionals.

Film and television produc- tion also dovetails with other industries, so the program will connect the Architecture

& Construction and STEM Academies with the Film and Digital Arts program. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, the Georgia film and TV industry has created more than 92,000 jobs paying close to $4.6 billion in wages.

A state tax credit was signed into law in 2008 giving productions up to a 30% tax break by filming in Georgia. This incentive was enough to persuade Hollywood producers to film in Georgia. Big productions such as “The Hunger Games,” “The Walking Dead” and “Divergent” helped boost Georgia’s film industry.