
NBCUniversal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion (GTDI) announced February 4, 2022, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group’s (UFEG) launch of its California Below-the-Line Traineeship for individuals seeking careers behind the camera.
As part of NBCUniversal’s overall commitment to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion within all areas of production, this California traineeship marks the first of wider below-the-line strategies that are currently being rolled out to provide underrepresented talent on-set experience and mentorship. Launching on Jordan Peele’s Nope, the traineeship has served as a model for interested domestic and international film and television productions.
In collaboration with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), Hollywood Cinema Production Resources (Hollywood CPR) and various IATSE locals, this first cycle of the traineeship welcomed six trainees to the set of Nope, which filmed on location in Southern California last year. The trainees were comprised of five Hollywood CPR students, who were selected to gain the requisite hours needed to fulfill their Hollywood CPR graduation requirement, and one member from ARC, who joined to gain experience and exposure in visual effects.