VIVE Debuts ‘Vets to Sets’ TV Production Training Initiative
Dallas, Texas – May 25, 2018 – VIVE Network, the first global ultra-high definition (UHD), high dynamic range (HDR), linear, multi-channel television network, officially unveiled its ‘Vets to Sets’ apprenticeship program at a signing ceremony together with representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Apprenticeship yesterday. The occasion marks the launch of an unprecedented initiative to train and ultimately hire military veteran women and men for careers in UHD HDR TV production, all under the watchful eye of the DOL.
The impetus to developing the ‘Vets to Sets’ apprenticeship program was simply necessity for and lack of skilled UHD television production professionals, not only locally, but nationally. Moreover, there is a de facto UHD (a.k.a 4K) lifestyle content gap, yet there are millions and millions of device owners craving 4K programming. VIVE Network contends to remedy this deficiency and has set out to provide consumers with the ultimate UHD HDR entertainment destination available via apps on every screen – including smart TV’s, mobiles & tablets, as well as set-top & game boxes.
“We are committed to creating a consistent stream of premium entertainment for audiences worldwide, as well as showcasing and celebrating various causes, especially honoring our service men and women by providing a direct pathway to careers of longevity in an industry known for being difficult to break into,” says John Jacaman, VIVE Network Founder.
What differentiates this particular apprenticeship program is its emphasis on live ultra high definition TV production, as well as its comprehensive breadth of skills development. Rather than focus exclusively on honing one TV crew member role (e.g. camera operation), apprentices shall work side-by-side with TV production professionals to master various capacities – such as vision mixing (switching), gaffing (lighting), sound recording, and many more – on real, made-for-television serial shows and televised live events.
Though the program is limited to training within Texas at this time, it is open to veterans from virtually any of the 50 states.
“It’s the perfect complement to our objective of making Texas an even bigger entertainment production hub,” says Jacaman.
VIVE expects to admit several trainees on a revolving basis who will be paid to learn on the job over the course of 24 months before qualifying for permanent positions with the network. Many DOL registered apprenticeship programs prepare apprentices for the workplace outside of their host companies, whereas VIVE has designs to retain its Vets to Sets trainees. Members of the public may contribute monetary gifts through an ongoing fundraising campaign to help offset the training costs at https://www.fundraise.com/uhd-academy-vets-to-sets/vets-to-sets.
For more information about Vets to Sets and how to apply, visit bit.ly/vets2sets or email Frank Hammond, Director of Recruitment at fhammond@vivetv.network.