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Motion Picture Basic Training

Building a strong foundation

Basic Training

To work in below-the-line job roles, (and to meet requirements to join as a union or guild permittee) there are two basic courses that all crew members need to complete, regardless of their job role:

  1. MPPIA Motion Picture Industry Orientation (MPIO) –  Course and Exam (ASL-interpreted courses are available)
  2. Motion Picture Safety 101 – General Safety Awareness – Course

Both of these two mandatory courses are available online through Actsafe Safety Association, the entertainment industry’s health and safety association.

The Motion Picture Industry Orientation (MPIO) course is online, scheduled for either one or two day sessions, and also offered through various film schools.

The Motion Picture Safety 101 course is free and available to start online anytime.

Many below-the-line positions and applications for union or guild positions require additional certificates. One example of this is the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information (WHMIS), also available online at Actsafe.

If you are planning to start at the entry-level position of Production Assistant (which is under the Directors Guild of Canada – BC), in addition to the two mandatory courses listed above, Production Assistants must complete their WHMIS training and have a valid license for BC Traffic Control.

It is always best practice to double-check the most up-to-date requirements on each union or guild’s website as they may change.

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