The Lifton Institute of Media Arts and Science in Santa Clarita offers an immersive 10-week program for veterans looking to work in front of and behind the camera.

“I’m not retired but I’m a disabled veteran, and it’s kind of hard to find work when you’re disabled,” said David Bowens, an Air Force veteran.

Bowens just wrapped up his tenth week of the program at LIMS working in camera lighting and grip.

“There’s a chance for me to stay on and help out with the new students that come aboard and help with some of the new projects that they have,” Bowens said.

Related: Army Veteran Gets Opportunity To Work In The Bahamas While On Set At LIMS

The full-service motion picture studio in Castaic includes a green room, a screening room, conference rooms, sound stages and pre- and post-production. The purpose of the LIMS program is to help veterans focus their energy towards a career field that they are passionate about.

“The program combines skill training, self-promotion guidance and job placement to assist them in finding real success,” according to the LIMS website.

“I was dabbling a little bit in camera operation and I’d been shooting weddings and music videos,” explained Bowen. “I wanted to learn a little more about what I was doing. I wanted to go in and enhance what I know already and learn what I didn’t know.”

All the instructors and professionals who work at LIMS in Santa Clarita are actually professionals in the film production business, according to Bowen.

In reference to his own instructor for the program, Bowens noted, “He has over 200 features on his resume. He’s an excellent teacher, teaches you all the fine points of camera operation, lighting, grip. It’s just, it’s amazing.”

The Lifton Institute of Media Arts and Sciences, or LIMS, not only offers full-service movie studios Los Angeles filmmakers can use, but also doubles as a film production school. While LIMS students usually have never worked in the industry before, President Jimmy Lifton says that most people have skills that can be easily translated into the production trade. LIMS offers 10-week film production training and veterans job training programs designed to prepare students to go out and get a paid job on a movie or TV set.

Vet 200 Program

Lifton Institute of Media Arts & Sciences (LIMS)

27567 Fantastic Lane

Castaic, CA 91384