The film industry in New Jersey is active again, and Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is already training the next wave of talent. As of April 7, 2025, the college officially launched its new film and television course, “Script to Screen: Introduction to the Entertainment Industry,” in partnership with the New Jersey Film Academy.
Although the program has already started, there is still time for new students to enroll and catch up. Classes meet Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the HCCC Journal Square Campus in Jersey City, and the course will continue for nine weeks.
- HCCC’s film training course with the NJ Film Academy began on April 7, 2025, but students can still enroll now.
- The nine-week course costs $375 and runs Mondays and Thursdays, 6–9 p.m., at the Journal Square Campus in Jersey City.
- Students gain industry skills, earn a certificate, and get access to internships and entry-level film and TV jobs in New Jersey.
Film Industry Growth Brings Real Job Opportunities
New Jersey’s history in film dates back over a century. Early stars like Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, Lionel Barrymore, and the Marx Brothers worked in the area, and scenes from The Perils of Pauline were filmed along the Fort Lee Palisades. Today, the state is once again a major location for filming.
With studios like Netflix and Lionsgate setting up in New Jersey, as well as new facilities such as Palisades Stages in Kearny and Cinelease Studios in Jersey City, the state needs more trained professionals who are ready to work in film and TV. HCCC is now one of the first four community colleges in New Jersey selected to help meet this need.
This new program is supported by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) and the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) under the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative.
Students Train With Real Industry Skills and Experienced Instructor
The course, “Script to Screen,” is the first in a series of four. The full program includes:
- Introduction to the Entertainment Industry
- On-set Production
- Production Office and Accounting
- Hair, Makeup, and Wardrobe
To continue into the next three areas, students must first complete this introduction course. The cost is $375, and students attend college-level classes twice a week in the evening, making the course accessible for people with daytime commitments.
The class is taught by Hisani P. Dubose, who has nearly 30 years of experience in film, television, and theater. She leads students through topics such as script writing, story pitching, on-set safety, production paperwork, audio/visual setup, editing, and distribution.
Students gain professional knowledge and hands-on experience. The course follows real industry standards and procedures so graduates are ready for jobs.
Certificate, Internships, and Career Pathways
After completing the course, students receive a certificate of completion and gain access to internship and job opportunities in the entertainment industry. These connections help students move into entry-level roles in a growing field.
President of HCCC, Dr. Christopher Reber, said, “Hudson County Community College is fertile ground for the entertainment industry that enriches our lives through cinema and TV.” He also shared that films like the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown have been produced locally, showing that the industry is already active in the area.
Students Can Still Join
Although the course began on April 7, students who are interested in film and TV careers can still register now. There is still time to join and catch up on the lessons. For details or to sign up, visit:
https://www.hccc.edu/programs-courses/workforce-development/nj-film-academy/index.html
Questions can be sent to [email protected].
