Each month we will showcase an individual who participated in the "Made in NY" PA Training Program. Click here for information on the free, month-long program developed in conjunction with Brooklyn Workforce Innovations and designed to create job opportunities for New Yorkers, connect New Yorkers with employers in the industry, and educate production assistants on how to work collaboratively with the communities in which they shoot. Karen Choy “Made in NY” Graduate of the Month: Karen Choy September 1, 2011 - Karen Choy has made a habit of giving back to the “Made in NY” PA Training Program, the place where she got her start in the entertainment industry. Before joining the program which helps young New Yorkers gain entry level jobs in film and television, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do and was looking for a career path. After signing on to the “Made in NY” PA Training Program, which was developed in partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and Brooklyn Workforce Innovations, Choy graduated from cycle 5 in February 2007. “I was one of the earlier cycles so not many people knew about the program,” she said. “Now there are ‘Made in NY’ PAs on almost every set.” Since graduating, Choy has worked on over 35 productions, including “Making the Band,” “I Want to Work for Diddy,” “The Hills,” “Audrina,” “Project Runway” and “Rachael & Guy’s Celebrity Cook Off.” She’s currently the production coordinator for “The Celebrity Apprentice.” As a production coordinator, part of her responsibilities is to hire PAs. “I try to bring as many ‘Made in NY’ PAs on the jobs because it’s my way of giving back and showing my appreciation to those who gave me the opportunity,” she said. “I also know I am getting a highly trained quality PA who is ready to work.” Production life can be hard and involves countless hours, but it’s worth it to Choy because “the people you meet and experiences are priceless.” She considers herself extremely fortunate to stay busy on show after show. “I recently had the luck to work on two shows at one time for the same production company, which got a little hairy but was an amazing experience,” said the lower Manhattan resident. “My favorite part of production is seeing the final product and knowing that you were a part of making it happen.” Interested in learning more about the “Made in NY” PA Training Program? Click here. Read more about previous "Made in NY" PAs of the Month here. design by    The City of New York Mayor's Office of Film Theatre & Broadcasting 1697 Broadway Suite 602, New York, New York 10019.
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