Banijay Americas, a division of Banijay, the world’s leading producer and distributor of international content, and Best Buy Foundation, announced today that they are teaming up to create an entertainment industry career development program for Los Angeles-area high school students and recent graduates.
Through the career development program, interviews for production assistant roles on several Banijay Americas hit series and shows will be open to participants at Best Buy Teen Tech Centers®, centers that connect youth from disinvested communities with mentorship, training opportunities and career resources. Banijay Americas is the Best Buy Foundation’s first studio partner for the Los Angeles Community Impact Hub, a network of 12 Teen Tech Centers that supports youth across the county. Participants have access to a variety of technology, including tools for film production, digital media, audio engineering augmented and virtual reality, 3-D design and more.
Banijay Americas, which is comprised of 10 different leading TV production companies across North America and South America, will collaborate with Best Buy Teen Tech Centers to develop a TV production curriculum tailored to participants. The curriculum will include opportunities like seminars and job-shadowing with top producers, directors, editors, and writers for Teen Tech Center youth. Additionally, Teen Tech Center alumni will have a direct pathway to Banijay Americas’ production assistant feeder program aimed at creating entry-level positions on Banijay-produced series.
“Banijay Americas is thrilled to partner with Best Buy and its community impact hub to offer young people across Los Angeles greater access to the entertainment industry through experiential learning opportunities and hands-on training, exposure to our network of artists and industry professionals, and eventually, a point of entry for their first television jobs,” said Karla Pita Loor, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Inclusion & Social Responsibility, Banijay Americas. “Our work with Best Buy reflects our commitment to creating both content and an industry that reflects the rich diversity of our audience and our city.”
“Through the community impact hub, we are lifting up the next generation of youth in Los Angeles with the tools and resources to reach for the stars.” said Andrea Wood, Best Buy’s vice president of social impact. “This partnership will help shape the future of the industry by creating a direct talent pipeline that gives young people the opportunity to discover and pursue careers in the creative economy.”
Organizations interested in partnering with Best Buy to support pathways to the creative economy can reach out to [email protected].
Banijay-owned studios Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, 51 Minds Entertainment and Truly Original have all committed to participating in the program. The studios are behind such top-rated hits as “Big Brother,” “LEGO Masters,” “MasterChef,” “Below Deck,” “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” “The Challenge,” “Ink Master,” “Married to Real Estate” and recent Emmy-winning series “Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls.”
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The Hollywood Reporter: Banijay Americas Teams With Best Buy for L.A.-Based Entertainment Career Development Program (Exclusive)
