The WGAE is very pleased to announce another series of courses in its Digital Media Education Program, funded by our friends at the Consortium for Worker Education. We think these classes will serve members at various levels of interest and experience, and will offer both theoretical and practical understanding of the world of digital media. These courses are open to current WGAE members.

The classes will all take place in New York City. For members who live outside the area, or who have schedule conflicts, we will create shorter video versions of several of the courses, which we will post on the WGAE website. Of course, the hands-on skills courses won’t translate to web clips, but we hope that members can learn a lot from what we ultimately post online.

You will note that we have definite schedules for some of the courses and not others. We will post more times and places as they are set. We do understand that the schedule (day of the week, time, etc.) will affect whether you can attend. If you are interested in a course for which that information is not yet posted, sign up anyway; in many cases we will try to set up the sessions around the schedules of the members who have expressed an interest.

Important enrollment information: In most instances, you must enroll in advance. In a number of courses, enrollment will be limited, and spaces will go to the most-qualified applicants (this is less onerous than it sounds; see below). Here is the key: Each course description concludes with “who should attend”. That will tell you if the class has prerequisites.

• Kickstarter Funding Workshop
• Transmedia Workshops
• Final Cut Pro
• AVID Training

A workshop about funding projects through Kickstarter will be held on May 8, 2013.
Click here for registration and for more information.

In the digital world stories are told in multiple forms on multiple platforms in multiple markets, and writers will benefit from learning both the creative styles and the funding implications of this transmedia world. Dana Weissman, WGAE's Director of Programs, will moderate a panel featuring Nick Bernadone and George Strayton (more panelists to be named later) that will be interactive and creator-focused. Participants can bring projects to work on with the group. Location: WGAE offices. Date: May 21, 2013.

Who should attend: We have space for up to 50 members; prior experience is not required, although if the course is over-subscribed priority will be given to members with demonstrated interest in digital or transmedia work.

Final Cut Pro is at the center of digital media production. It empowers creators to store and edit their material in a format that has been widely adopted. We will offer a basics course in FCP X. The course will be taught in the state-of-the-art Mac Lab at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. It will include 18 hours of instruction in the classroom, over three consecutive 6-hour days. 

The first class in FINAL CUT PRO BASICS will be held Thursday through Saturday, April 11–13, 10:00am–5:00pm. All seats are currently taken, but to sign up for the course's waiting list, click here.

A course about AVID editing software will be offered June 3–7, 2013.