Whether through the writing, developing, and production of original Arabic-language stories, Netflix is constantly championing for the region by way of scouting for new talents from the Arab World and the amplification of their voices through its own platform — and the streaming service about to do it again.
Just weeks after announcing the arrival of 11 titles from the Kingdom’s up-and-coming filmmakers, the American streaming website, hand-in-hand with Studio Production Training (SPT), a film and television production company based in both Riyadh and Los Angeles, will be launching a one-of-a-kind program tailored to upskill 15 gifted Saudis through on set training and workshops focused on art department and production roles.
Through this collaborative initiative, titled “Below The Line KSA,” both parties will be joining forces to strengthen the Gulf State’s budding scene by nurturing the country’s most promising minds. Providing them with some of the industry’s highest levels of training and practice, the new program will also help chosen candidates break into the scene by opening the doors to a variety of catalyzing opportunities. Seeking to foster a qualified roster of talent for the local Saudi film industry to benefit from, nominees will also have the chance to assist and join a Netflix-powered production, as assistant directors, line producers, production managers, art directors, or prop masters, helping pave the wave for the new generation that is slowly and steadily starting to make its way to the highest stratums of the artistic world.
Speaking of the launch, Hajar Alnaim, Co-Founder and CEO of SPT, said: “As a producer myself, one area that I know must grow is our pool of below-the-line talent. I feel this is a vital group of professionals that’s essential for our shared success and is underserved in development at the moment. That’s where the idea for SPT was born. A solution that benefits our entire industry, not just the company offering the training or the production that is training its own crew.”
Echoing on Alnaim’s statement, Deana Nassar, Netflix’s Grow Creative Manager for the Middle East and North Africa, added: “The burgeoning entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia presents a multitude of opportunities for young talent, and partnerships like the one with SPT to help incubate this untapped potential. There is an incredible caliber of talent and stories that make up the larger creative community in the region, and we’re honing in on them to help showcase the breadth and depth of Arab creativity. Together with our creative partners, we want to do more to educate and empower those in the industry, and those hoping to break through. We’re excited by the many opportunities that lie ahead for us to help strengthen the quality of Arab storytelling.”
Expected to unfold in two phases, first through a 10-day-workshop in November centered around introducing art department roles before launching another 10-day workshop, in January, focused on bringing insight towards production roles, “Below-The-Line KSA” is the mentorship program that will champion, assist, and catapult talents from the bottom all the way to the top.