WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is proud to announce the continuation of its innovative WCNY Entertainment Academy, now entering its third year of grant-funded workforce development programming. This milestone reinforces WCNY’s commitment to building a diverse, skilled talent pipeline for the growing film, television, and digital media industries across the region.

Since its inception, the WCNY Entertainment Academy has provided hands-on, career-focused training to underserved adults ages 25–39, equipping participants with industry-relevant skills across multiple production disciplines. The third-year grant will allow the Academy to expand its reach, deepen training opportunities, and strengthen pathways to employment.

“This continued investment affirms the impact of the Academy on both individuals and the regional creative economy,” said Mitch Gelman, President and CEO of WCNY. “We are not only training talent—we are creating access, equity, and long-term career opportunities in an industry that has historically lacked a broad range of representation.”

“Receiving third-year support from Empire State Development reinforces the strength and impact of WCNY’s commitment to growing the entertainment industry in Central New York,” said Carol Opee-Stelios, Vice President of Human Resources and Workforce Development at WCNY. “This continued investment allows us to expand opportunities for creators, foster innovation, and strengthen our regional economy.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York’s film and television industry depends on a strong, skilled and diverse workforce, and the WCNY Entertainment Academy is helping build that talent pipeline in Central New York. Through the CREW grant, Empire State Development is proud to support hands-on training that connects participants with the skills, certifications and industry experience needed to pursue sustainable careers in film, television and digital media.”

Empire State Development’s CREW grant program supports workforce development and training initiatives that prepare New Yorkers for careers in the film and television industry. By funding hands-on instruction, industry-recognized certifications, mentorship and job placement support, the program helps build a skilled, diverse talent pipeline that can meet the needs of productions across New York State.

Expanded Training Opportunities

The third-year program will offer comprehensive instruction in four core areas of media production:

– Location & Scenic Design

– Costume Design & Animation

– Post-Production & Animation

– Production Operations & Set Support

Participants will also receive industry-recognized certifications and foundational workforce skills, including:

– OSHA 10 Safety Training

– CPR and Workplace Readiness

– Respect in the Workplace

– Computer Literacy for Production Systems

The Academy emphasizes practical, on-set experience and direct engagement with industry professionals. Graduates benefit from:

– Job placement support and defined career pathways

– Continuing education opportunities

– Mentorship from media and production experts

– Access to WCNY’s production facilities and professional networks

The program requires all applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and proficient in reading and writing in English, ensuring readiness for workforce placement and industry standards.

With film and television production expanding across New York State, the WCNY Entertainment Academy plays a critical role in preparing a local workforce to meet industry demand. The program supports economic development while providing life-changing opportunities for individuals seeking sustainable careers.

WCNY is a public media organization serving Central New York, committed to education, community engagement, and workforce innovation. Through initiatives like the Entertainment Academy, WCNY continues to lead in developing inclusive pathways into emerging industries.

For more information or to complete an application, visit wcny.org/academy.

For media inquiries, please contact Lauren Easton at lauren.easton@wcny.org or (585) 797-4314.

About WCNY

WCNY was founded in 1965 as The Educational Television Council of Central New York. Today, it is a public communications organization that produces content across multiple platforms, including television and radio, dynamic web and targeted email content, the WCNY CONNECT magazine, and social media. Through its media platforms, in-person and virtual events, WCNY brings local coverage and educational services to Central New Yorkers. WCNY operates four digital, pledge-free broadcast channels and three radio stations. Classic FM is one of the few radio stations in the world dedicated to locally programmed classical music, and Pulso Central is Central New York’s first Spanish-language radio station.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

###

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is honored to host the inaugural graduation ceremony for the WCNY Entertainment Academy on Thursday, December 21 at 4 p.m. at the WCNY-TV Studios. Please join us to celebrate the accomplishments of the 14 graduates from the first class of the Academy.

The WCNY Entertainment Academy provides training for the next generation of television and film production engineers, electricians, set designers, sound mixers, and camera operators to help support the growing entertainment industry in Central New York. The program also creates a pathway for job placements through local unions, including I.A.T.S.E. Local 52 Motion Picture Studio Mechanics which provides craft specialists to serve as instructors, offering a real-world baseline of knowledge and industry-specific skills.

“We express our sincere gratitude to the NYS Economic Development Corporation for funding to the Academy through the Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant,” said Mitch Gelman, President and CEO of WCNY. “We also extend our appreciation to our colleagues at I.A.T.S.E Local 52, Academy Director Carol Opee-Stelios, the instructors, and the Academy advisory council. We congratulate the trainees and look forward to their valuable contributions to the flourishing television and film industry across our region.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome the inaugural class of graduates to the television and film industry,” said William “Dusty” Klatt, President of I.A.T.S.E. Local 52. “These individuals have gained a practical foundation of knowledge and specialized skills in grip, electric, video, sound, and shopcraft, complemented by OSHA and aerial lift certifications, qualifying them to pursue union membership. After a challenging year of failed negotiations between the AMPTP and the WGA (Writers Guild of America), and SAGA-AFTRA unions resulting in a two-hundred-day work stoppage, Local 52 and the entire industry is ready to return to work and resume continued growth. This continued growth will lead to a demand for more workers, and WCNY’s Entertainment Academy and its graduates provide a direct solution to this foreseeable need. I congratulate WCNY Entertainment Academy, Local 52 Region Three Representative John Scardino, the Academy Program Manager, 52 member Mac Cushing, and especially the candidates/trainees of this first class for providing the true grit to be successful, and for providing a bright light in an otherwise dismal year.”

Members of the media interested in covering the graduation at WCNY at 415 W. Fayette St. in Syracuse, please contact Lauren Easton at lauren.easton@wcny.org or 585-797-4314.

About WCNY

WCNY was founded in 1965 as The Educational Television Council of Central New York. Today, it is a public communications organization that produces content across multiple platforms, including television and radio programs, dynamic web and targeted email content, the WCNY CONNECT magazine, and social media. Through its media platforms, in-person and virtual events, WCNY brings local coverage and educational services to Central New Yorkers. WCNY operates four digital, pledge-free broadcast television channels and three radio stations. Classic FM is one of the few radio stations in the world dedicated to locally programmed classical music, and Community FM features local people and local perspectives on immigration, education, veterans, health, arts, science and culture. Learn more at www.wcny.org.

###

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, announces that its Entertainment Academy trainees will attend Anton/Bauer’s first New York State demonstration of its new Sodium-Nickel 9kWh battery pack, the Salt-E Dog. The event will take place on Saturday, October 21, from 12-4 p.m. at Tipp Hill Studios.

Anton/Bauer, a prominent manufacturer of standard batteries for the Television and Film Industry, will introduce its latest innovation, the Salt-E Dog. This cutting-edge Sodium-Nickel battery boasts an impressive 9-Kilowatt hours of charge capacity. Unlike traditional lithium batteries, the Salt-E Dog relies on sodium, offering both environmental safety and ease of resource cultivation. It has only been demonstrated five times thus far.

WCNY’s Entertainment Academy provides training for the next generation of television and film production engineers, electricians, set designers, sound mixers, and camera operators to help support the growing entertainment industry in Central New York. The trainees will participate in Anton/Bauer’s demonstration as part of their Saturday afternoon class to enhance their understanding of this innovative battery system. Representatives from the Visit Syracuse Film Office will also be in attendance to learn more about this new sustainable power supply.

“This presents an incredible opportunity for our trainees to gain an early insight into the upcoming technological advancements in on-set power within the industry. It also underscores the growing significance of Central New York in the realm of Film and Television production,” said Carol Opee-Stelios, Vice President of Human Resources and Workforce Development at WCNY.

Eric Vinal, VP of Film, TV & Entertainment at Visit Syracuse said, “We at the Visit Syracuse Film Office are extremely grateful for Anton/Bauer taking the time to come to Syracuse for the demo of their new, revolutionary Salt-E Dog battery as a sustainable power source on our film, TV, and production sets. As an infrastructure and region that works very hard to be progressive in the entertainment industry, we are excited to have access to this product and hope to see it more on our sets in the very near future. Technology like this only makes our sets cleaner, more efficient, and safer. We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to Mac Cushing at Salt City Grip, Tipp Hill Studios, and the team and trainees at the WCNY Entertainment Academy for supporting this industry in Central New York.”

Members of the media interested in attending the demonstration and/or receiving additional information for a featured article, please contact Lauren Easton at lauren.easton@wcny.org or 585-797-4314.

About WCNY:
WCNY was founded in 1965 as The Educational Television Council of Central New York. Today, it is a public communications organization that produces content across multiple platforms, including television and radio programs, dynamic web and targeted email content, the WCNY CONNECT magazine, and social media. Through its media platforms, in-person and virtual events, WCNY brings local coverage and educational services to Central New Yorkers. WCNY operates four digital, pledge-free broadcast television channels and three radio stations. Classic FM is one of the few radio stations in the world dedicated to locally programmed classical music, and Community FM features local people and local perspectives on immigration, education, veterans, health, arts, science and culture. Learn more at www.wcny.org.

###

Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant Program Supports Efforts to Train a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce for the Motion Picture and Television Industry in New York State

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that WCNY, located in Syracuse, Onondaga County, has been awarded $499,766 from the State’s Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant Program for its new WCNY Entertainment Academy. The Academy will train the next generation of television and film production engineers, electricians, set designers, sound mixers, and camera operators to help support the growing entertainment industry in Central New York.

The award comes from the first-in-the-nation New York Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant Program, which funds job training and workforce development across New York State’s entertainment industry and is financed by a percentage from New York State’s Film Tax Credit program. The program is designed to further diversify the industry by targeting residents in economically distressed areas of the state and creating a pathway to permanent jobs in film and television production. The grant will complement more than $300,000 that WCNY, the region’s leading public communications organization, will contribute to launching the Entertainment Academy.

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “WCNY has been educating Central New York communities for decades and we are pleased to support the new WCNY Entertainment Academy that will create a pipeline for well-trained workers in the entertainment industry. The individuals who graduate from this program will have vital skills and connections needed for new careers and brighter futures.”

WCNY President and CEO Mitch Gelman said, “This initiative fits the goals we have for WCNY to provide education, create economic opportunity, and enhance quality of life. The Academy builds on the education services WCNY offers and will give us the opportunity to expand our commitment to help further workforce development.”

The WCNY Entertainment Academy, which will open this Fall, will train a diverse group of people ages 25- to 39-years-old in one of three annual 14-week training sessions with approximately 16 trainees per session. The curriculum will be taught by local union representatives, experienced staff at WCNY, and adjunct faculty members and guest lectures from across the entertainment industry. I.A.T.S.E. Local 52 will collaborate with WCNY to provide instructors for the program and offer a real-world baseline of knowledge and specific skills in grip, electric, video, sound, and shopcraft, which are necessary for graduates to be job-ready upon completion.

Graduates will earn certifications, including OSHA and Aerial Lift certifications, and will develop relationships that may lead to union membership and job placements. They will also have an opportunity to gain professional and life skills in multiple areas centered around comprehensive television and film production roles, and, in the process, to earn an enduring path to self-sufficiency.

Senator Rachel May said, “Seeing a half-a-million-dollar investment in Central New York’s flourishing film industry is exciting. New York’s Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant Program will help fund the WCNY Entertainment Academy, which will train future filmmakers in the community. Supporting our film industry in this way will attract more productions to the area, create jobs and boost the local economy. I look forward to the continued success of our film industry and watching more movies filmed here in CNY.”

Assemblyman William Magnarelli said, “The new WCNY Entertainment Academy and the State’s Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant are wonderful opportunities that will allow WCNY to become a leader in recruiting, teaching and employing community members in film and television production. This program will create well-paying opportunities for local residents to gain professional experience and be considered for local job placements.”

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “The WCNY Entertainment Academy will prepare local people for careers in expanding entertainment fields. Syracuse is grateful for the support of Empire State Development and Governor Hochul for workforce development initiatives across multiple industries in Syracuse and Central New York.”

As part of the FY 2024 Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul secured a historic expansion of the New York Film Tax Credit — one of the most robust and competitive film production incentive programs in the nation. As part of the budget, New York State raised the film tax credit’s annual cap to $700 million, added a capped credit for “above-the-line” salaries alongside the existing credit for “below-the-line” salaries, restored the credit to 30% for qualified expenses, and increased upstate filming up to 40% and added production costs. These changes will further increase the program’s stability, help attract productions, and provide a boost to New York’s film industry, which is one of the largest union employers in New York State.

About Empire State Development:
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

About WCNY:
WCNY was founded in 1965 as The Educational Television Council of Central New York. Today, it is a public communications organization that produces content across multiple platforms, including television and radio programs, dynamic web and targeted email content, the WCNY CONNECT magazine, and social media. Through its media platforms, in-person and virtual events, WCNY brings local coverage and educational services to Central New Yorkers. WCNY operates four digital, pledge-free broadcast television channels and three radio stations. Classic FM is one of the few radio stations in the world dedicated to locally programmed classical music, and Community FM features local people and local perspectives on immigration, education, veterans, health, arts, science and culture. Learn more at www.wcny.org.

###