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Student film crew silhouetted around a camera dolly during a hands-on session on a New Jersey soundstage
Film Careers & Training

Get Paid to Learn Filmmaking

Real Sets. Real Credits. Real Paychecks.

Lion Motion Production is the working film studio of the Ideal Institute of Technology (IITNJ) — a nonprofit career college in South Jersey accredited by the Middle States Association and registered with the U.S. Department of Labor as an apprenticeship sponsor.

If you want a career in film and digital media, you don’t need to move to LA and you don’t need to take on crushing debt. You need training, set experience, professional credits, and connections. IITNJ’s Learn + Work + Earn model delivers all four — and pays you while you do it.

Apply to IITNJRequest Program Info

How It Works

Four Steps From Curious to Credited

  1. 01

    Enroll at IITNJ

    Join our Creative & Digital Media program track at the Pleasantville campus, near Atlantic City.

  2. 02

    Train on Real Productions

    Lion Motion's client projects — commercials, documentaries, branded content, features, and events — become your classroom. You work under professional department heads in camera, grip and electric, sound, production coordination, editing, motion graphics, and more.

  3. 03

    Earn While You Learn

    Through paid work-based learning, you earn income on productions while completing your certification. This is not unpaid internship culture. This is the apprenticeship model that built the skilled trades — applied to film.

  4. 04

    Advance Through Pre-Apprenticeship → Registered Apprenticeship

    Start in a structured pre-apprenticeship that builds foundational set skills and professionalism. Qualify into a USDOL-registered apprenticeship, earning a nationally recognized credential alongside your production experience and screen credits.

Career Pathways

Where This Leads

  1. Track 01
    1. Production Assistant
    2. Production Coordinator
    3. Line Producer
  2. Track 02
    1. Camera / Grip & Electric
    2. Department Technician
    3. Department Head
  3. Track 03
    1. Editor / Motion Graphics
    2. Post-Production Specialist
  4. Track 04
    1. Content Creator / Social Media Producer
    2. Creative Entrepreneur

Who We Serve

Our students help your bottom line. Your production launches their careers.

That’s the model.

  1. Students

    Built for the People the Industry Overlooks

    IITNJ is built for people the traditional film industry overlooks: low-income individuals, disconnected youth, returning citizens, career changers, and anyone with talent and drive who needs a paid pathway in. Financial aid, grant-funded training slots, and supportive services may be available for those who qualify.

  2. Clients

    Why This Matters to Our Clients Too

    Productions that hire from our pipeline aren't just getting motivated, trained crew — they're building the local hiring record that supports New Jersey's 4% hiring bonus.

Admissions

Start where you are.

Tell us your preferred start term and what pulls you toward film. We'll set up an admissions conversation.

Apply to IITNJRequest Program Info