When it comes to video production, Kate Tsubata has found the Mountain State to be "the best place to get everything" - from filming locations and casting to production assistants.
The Maryland-based writer and producer with LightSmith Productions has worked on three award-winning projects produced in West Virginia.
Tsubata was one of about 15 people who attended a two-day workforce training workshop for those wanting to get a foot in the film industry's door. Hosted by the West Virginia Film Office, the workshop featured in-depth sessions on the ins and outs of being a costume department production assistant.
Led by Terra Monique Patterson, of Atlanta-based Film Industry Training Seminars LLC, the workshop welcomed people such as Tsubata, seeking to expand their breadth of knowledge about the industry, as well as others with no prior experience.
"In the film business, a degree is great, but nobody really cares," said Kenny Chaplin, who owns the training seminar company. "It's an industry where 90 percent of people, actors included, don't have any secondary education."
The company has also led seminars in Martinsburg, Fairmont and Huntington for those wanting to work as production assistants in various departments.
"This is professional-level content development at a very inexpensive price ... you're getting real-life skills," Tsubata said, adding that she's paid upwards of $400 for other training sessions, while the workshop in Charleston was about $75 to attend.
The West Virginia Film Office began sponsoring workforce training workshops in 2013, according to Lisa Wells, its Industry Relations Coordinator.
"When a production is looking to film in a particular state, it wants to make sure there's a skilled workforce to support [it]," Wells said. Because it's not economically feasible to relocate an entire film cast and crew, many smaller positions, such as production assistants and extras, are filled by local residents. Over the last two years, more than 200 people have participated in the workshops. Those who do are added to the film office's crew and vendor directory - a valuable resource for production companies contact the film office seeking to fill specific positions.
The workshops have proven to be useful for Matt Hovermale, of Berkeley Springs. After attending an April workshop in Martinsburg led by the film office, Hovermale was offered a production job the same day.
"I worked for three months straight; everything I learned [at the workshop], I was able to translate directly into the film market," he said.
A costume assistant's responsibilities include everything from preparing garments for fittings, purchasing and returning wardrobe items, taking inventory of stock costumes and ensuring all garments are properly sized and tagged.
"Creativity and resourcefulness are your best friends on any film set," said Charleston resident J.P. Fulks and owner of Black Wing Productions, who spoke at the workshop and has attended previous workshops.
While it may not seem that West Virginia would be a prime destination for video and film production, Chaplin said it's perfect for smaller projects, such as documentaries, commercials, music videos and photo shoots.
"This is a great place because there [aren't] a thousand people in line for the job," Chaplin said. "And that's the only way to build a resume."
Reach Elaina Sauber at elaina.sauber@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-3051 or follow @ElainaSauber on Twitter.