ESCAC launches courses with Ciudad de la Luz to build a skilled workforce in the audiovisual industry

The Higher School of Cinema and Audiovisuals of Catalonia (ESCAC), in collaboration with the Ciudad de la Luz studios in Alicante, is launching a range of free specialised courses in the audiovisual sector.

The courses aim to build a pool of skilled workers for the industry and meet the high demand for technical professionals in the sector, with a particular focus on the various trades required for productions following the opening of the Ciudad de la Luz studios.

The Ciudad de la Luz trade school plans to offer non-regulated courses, certified by ESCAC—as a centre affiliated with the University of Barcelona—that will be short-term and cover every stage of the film and audiovisual process from an entirely practical, technical-skills-building perspective.

The trade school’s educational programme FAST FORWARD by ESCAC will be based on micro-credentials and provide the knowledge and tools needed to develop specific skills in different areas of the film and audiovisual process, recognising and valuing film trades throughout the value chain.

The courses will be divided into three training levels, depending on the prior knowledge required:

• Basic courses for students with no prior knowledge who want to get started in the audiovisual world.
• Intermediate courses for students or working professionals who want to gain new knowledge or adapt to new market needs.
• In a second phase, advanced courses will be launched for recent graduates and/or working professionals who want to specialise by gaining advanced knowledge.

The Fast Forward by ESCAC programme is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Sport and the European Union’s Next Generation funds, and runs until December 2025.

In general, these courses are 100% subsidised and award 15 ECTS credits, with certification from ESCAC. Depending on the course, they may be taught in person or in a hybrid format.

Students must be over 16 and legally resident in Spain, and must pay a deposit of between 150 and 350 euros. The deposit will be refunded only to those who complete the course and obtain the certificate. It should be noted that each person may enrol in only one subsidised course. Anyone who does not meet all the requirements or wishes to take a second course must pay its full cost.

ESCAC director Sergi Casamitjana said they were “delighted to launch the Fast Forward by ESCAC courses in collaboration with Ciudad de la Luz. Alicante, with the incomparable facilities of Ciudad de la Luz, is the perfect setting to spearhead this training programme and its implementation throughout the country”.

Courses

An initial offering of 14 courses across 7 specialised areas is planned, with the aim of progressively advancing the training and qualification of workers in the various trades in response to the sector’s demand and needs.

ART

• Applied graphic design. (Basic level)
• Set construction. (Basic level)
• Costume design. (Basic level)

PHOTOGRAPHY

• Digital large-format artistic photography. (Basic level)
• Lighting technician and camera technician. (Basic level)
• Operator of aerial and special equipment and drones. (Intermediate level)
• Underwater filming and lighting. (Intermediate level)

EDITING

• Basic audiovisual editing technician course. (Intermediate level)

POST-PRODUCTION

• Basic post-production course. (Intermediate level)

PRODUCTION

• Production coordinator. Office tools for audiovisual production. (Basic level)
• Green filming and sustainability in audiovisual production. (Intermediate level)

SOUND

• Location sound course for film and TV. (Basic level)
• Sound post-production. (Basic level)

VFX

• Introduction to virtual production. (Basic level)

Enrolment

Starting Monday 24 July, a 14-day period will open to pre-register an expression of interest, and depending on the applications received, students will have to complete the formal registration process from 1 September. To pre-register, interested individuals must fill in the form available at https://forms.office.com/e/Yxww0uJuuw

Once pre-registration is complete, course start dates will be set according to demand for each course as places fill. The courses require an upfront deposit of between 150 and 350 euros, which will be refunded only to those who complete the course and obtain the certificate, with the condition that each person may take only one subsidised course.

Registrations will not be finally accepted until the deposit has been paid, the requested documentation has been submitted and it has been validated by the admissions department, within a maximum of 72 hours.

Places on the courses will close as they are filled. ESCAC reserves the right to modify/suspend the courses due to unforeseen circumstances. Students may exercise their right to withdraw from registration, without giving any reason or incurring any penalty, up to 14 days before the course starts. After this date, the deposit will not be refunded.