Guide to Free Online Training

We’ve assembled a list of online training providers and programs that IATSE workers can access free of charge.

IATSE TTF Programs and Partnerships

AVIXA Membership

The IATSE TTF/AVIXA partnership includes Premium Member access to free, introductory, online AV courses and a 15% discount on most trainings, free global trade show access, and members-only events. Apply for AVIXA Membership through the TTF →

LinkedIn Learning Membership

LinkedIn Learning is a self-guided learning platform with over 15,000 online courses on all types of topics and software. LinkedIn Learning is designed for all levels of learners with courses taught by recognized industry experts, and it’s available whenever you’re ready to learn. You can access it from your LinkedIn profile, and you can view courses from your mobile device with the LinkedIn Learning app. Download Application ↓

TTF Safety First!

The TTF Safety First! Online Courses © promote safe working conditions by providing information, tools, and resources to recognize potential hazards and minimize risks. Case studies from the various crafts are included, making the curriculum relevant across the IATSE workforce.

The 19 courses include Introduction to Basic Entertainment Safety; Biological Hazards; Hazard Communication: Workplace Chemicals; Chemical Protection; Electrical Safety; Fall Prevention and Protection; Elevated Work Platforms & Aerial Lifts; Scaffold Safety; Ergonomics; Noise Exposure; Confined Space/Small Space Awareness; Firearms Safety; Hand and Portable Power Tools; Compressed Gases; Rigging Safety; Welding and Cutting; Hazard Identification and Safety in the Work Environment; COVID-19: Recommended Guidelines for Preventing Exposure in the Workplace; and Recommended Sanitation Practices for Make-up and Hair. Download Application ↓

New Courses!

COVID-19: Recommended Guidelines for Preventing Exposure in the Workplace: This course provides workers with information and recommended practices to minimize the spread of COVID-19 upon returning to the workplace. This course also discusses potential administrative controls to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread in the work environment.

Recommended Sanitation Practices for Make-up and Hair: This course is intended to help artists and stylists learn how to implement sanitation best practices into their daily process to ensure the health and safety of themselves and the performers they work with. Artists and stylists will learn about common infectious agents often encountered in the workplace and how to properly sanitize, disinfect, and sterilize their tools, products, and specialty items while working in the trailer, background processing, on set, and in the theatre.

OSHA Online Course Reimbursement

We now offer reimbursement to individuals for OSHA 10 General Industry Safety and Health and Construction Safety and Health online trainings! This pilot program reimburses IATSE workers who do not have access to a live OSHA 10/GES or OSHA 10 course. We are expanding this program while no live courses are being offered.

You must obtain a 10-hour General Industry or Construction OSHA card from the approved OSHA-Authorized Online Outreach Training Providers listed on OSHA’s website. Only online trainings from these OSHA-authorized organizations are reimbursable. Download Application ↓

More Resources

Be advised that some of the courses listed below may no longer be free.

ActSafe

This general safety workshop is a requirement to become a permittee with Local 669 and Local 891.

Adamson Systems

Tutorial videos elevate the performance of Adamson products in the market by optimizing their application in the field.

ADJ Stay Connected Series

A video series with a specific focus to provide an opportunity for lighting and event professionals to upskill from the safety and comfort of their own homes. Each ADJ Stay Connected session will be broadcast live on Facebook.

After Effects Basic Training from Video Copilot

In this video training series, you'll learn everything you need to know to start using After Effects today. This is not an overview of the software, this is a real training series that covers advanced techniques for Motion Tracking, Color Keying, and even 3D Title Design.

Allen & Heath Sessions

Keep you up to date with online training sessions, webinars, and social media events. This will be a rolling schedule that will be updated frequently.

American Ladder Institute’s Ladder Safety Training

This ladder safety training is a tool for the proper selection, care, and safe use of all ladders, including stepladders, single and extension ladders, articulated ladders, and mobile ladders.

Analog Way

Analog Way is offering free introduction webinars designed to provide a practical overview of configuring and operating a LivePremier™, Picturall™, MIDRA, and LiveCore™ series. Register here.

ARRI Lighting Academy

The Lighting Systems Control training with lighting professional and author Richard Cadena goes over the basics of digital lighting control technologies. Whether you are starting out in the lighting industry or looking to streamline your production workflow, this 11-lesson video course will get you up and running with digital lighting control, using DMX, RDM, Wireless DMX, and ethernet-based networks.

Astera Software Academy

Webinars on Astera software and hardware including Getting Started with the AsteraApp (events & stage lighting); Tips, tricks, and less well-known features of the AsteraApp; Layer Effects; Hands-on with the New Hyperion Tube; and Getting to know the 3 Spotlights (Event & Stage lighting).

Audioversity from Yamaha Pro Audio Education and Training

Online training materials can be found for the following products: CL Series, LS9 Series, MMP1, MTX Series, QL Series, and TF Series.

AVID Tutorial Library

Video tutorials for Media Composer, FastServe, MediaCentral, S6 Workflows, and more.

Avolites

Improve or update your lighting and video control skills via online webchat and free tutorials on their Facebook community forums for both Titan and Ai platforms.

A4i Rigging Trussing Television

Videos on Beaufort Scale, Ballast requirements for temporary structures, How Truss Works, and more.

Barco

YouTube videos highlighting Barco's ImagePROcessing products featuring tutorials on new software features and how to videos designed with the user in mind.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

In an ongoing effort to educate people about workplace health and safety, CCOSH offers several free, online courses. These user-friendly online courses are designed to help you learn at your own pace and in your own environment, at your own convenience. Available courses include Mental Health: Awareness, Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Awareness, WHMIS 2015: An Introduction, Pandemic Awareness, and more.

Capture Student Edition

The free version of this lighting design software may be used for any purpose, educational or not.

Cast Software

CAST is hosting a variety of training options for BlackTrax and wysiwyg users of all levels. Register here for an introduction to wysiwyg with a comprehensive product overview and explorations of some of the most common workflows, tools, and commands. Register here for an introduction to BlackTrax with Trainer and Product Specialist Nicholas Lau as he shares his experiences integrating automation and tracking into immersive experiences and productions powered by BlackTrax.

CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) Tutorials

A CCNA tutorial site that closely follows the Cisco CCNA curriculum. The site was designed to help you pass the CCNA exam (200-301), but it can also be used as a reference site for anything networking-related.

CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician) 100-101 Course from Geek University

This tutorial is designed for people studying for the CCENT ICND1 100-101 exam, but it can also be used by anyone who wants to learn about computer networks in general.

ChamSys Training Academy

Schedule a 20-minute online appointment on a topic that matters to you, tune in for daily MagicQ Training Webinars, and experience their library of intermediate and advanced MagicQ Training Tutorials.

Chauvet Professional

How-to tutorials, lighting design beginner tips, and lighting and programming control videos.

Cherry Audio Voltage Modular Nucleus

Starting immediately, and for the foreseeable future, they're making Voltage Modular Nucleus free for everybody. It's a complete modular synthesis package with 22 modules and over 130 presets for OSX and Windows.

Chicago Flyhouse

Various rigging webinars including Automation Basics, Bridle Math, Forces and Loads, and more.

Chroma-Q

Chroma-Q’s training webinars on a number of lighting topics are available on their YouTube channel.

City Theatrical

City Theatrical's product training videos on YouTube.

Crown Audio Amplifier Training

These videos are designed to help integrators and contractors become more familiar with the basic operation of the Crown Audio amplifiers.

Dante by Audinate

Learning opportunities to obtain new Dante Certifications, learn about Dante Domain Manager, and join interesting discussions on case studies and Dante design principles. Webinar topics include Dante Design and Case Studies, Dante Domain Manager, and Dante Certification Program.

DAS Audio

Webinars are designed with the objective of transmitting theoretical knowledge about the use of their systems. They allow users to receive online training from DAS engineers and interact with them at any time during the presentation.

d&b audio tutorials

These videos are handy preparation for seminars and workshops, to expand or refresh the grey cells after a training session, or if you want to know more on how to get the best out of combining d&b components in the system workflow. The videos have been divided into chapters, each focusing on a particular topic to enable information to be accessed quickly and easily, or for viewing in sequence for a complete step-by-step guide. You can also sign up for webinars here.

DiGiCo Consoles

This YouTube channel covers sound console product use.

disguise OnDemand

This virtual hub features access to free training and webinars exploring key features and elements of the disguise workflow with exclusive content, including the opportunity for the community to take part in specialist discussions on key industry topics and hear from customers during spotlight discussions on showstopping case studies. Free online training sessions take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are planning on running a condensed version of the Fundamental and Pre-Production Workflows Training, broken down into a series of six one-hour sessions where attendees can learn the core features, including the timeline, stage, configuring output feeds, and how to set up devices. As part of a wider initiative to reach out to the disguise community, disguise is also offering the ‘Designer’ software free until September, and giving a series of discounted USB dongle giveaways, as well as partnering with Notch on a “codemeter” dongle sharing scheme, allowing more people to access to both their software.

DPA Mic University

Materials and videos include Proper Microphone Hygiene, Binaural Recording Techniques, How to Mic a Drum Kit, and more.

Drafty App

Learn how to use the CAD tool for lighting, sound, and video professionals with these YouTube tutorials.

Event Safety Alliance

The Event Safety Alliance is making it easier to access guidance, training, and membership programs to ensure that they remain available to everyone during this challenging period. Registration for their online Event Safety Access core safety training has been reduced to $9.95 through December 31, 2020. Please use the promo code SUPPORT20 at checkout to receive this discounted rate. The Event Safety Guide is now available as a free PDF →

ETC Learning Stage and Video Tutorials

ETC has made its library of online classes on the ETC Learning Stage available for free. You can earn ETCP renewal credits or just improve your lighting tool kit of knowledge. You can also find ETC video tutorials here.

Guild of Scenic Artists

The Guild of Scenic Artists compiled a list of seven projects you can try at home that teach the fundamentals while possessing the ability to use easily sourced materials. The resulting list are projects that can be adapted in case of a hurricane, blizzard, pandemic, or any other unforeseeable event.

HARMAN Professional University

Join knowledge experts from HARMAN audio, lighting, video, and control for live in-depth product and solution webinars.

High End Systems

32 tutorials with support files to help you learn Hog4.

Idle Hands Podcast

A Spotify podcast series interviewing television audio mixers.

INNOVA

The online, on-demand learning platform brought to you by ESTA and USITT is offering free courses in powered hoist systems, theatrical fog, lighting control systems, wire rope ladders, and more. Whether you are seeking continuing education credits or simply wish to increase your knowledge, INNOVA’s programming allows you to view courses from anywhere at any time.

iQ Training Video Series

TAIT is now offering free online training courses for iQ Powered by NAVIGATOR to the live event community. By providing these courses, everyone interested in participating is given an opportunity to learn, engage, and prepare for future automation experiences. After watching the iQ Training Video Series, viewers will know how to operate machines using a variety of methods, add windows to workspaces, create time-saving pre-sets, program a show using various cue lines and organizational helpers, as well as stop and restart cues.

LACMA Costume and Textiles Pattern Project

The Pattern Project is an online resource produced by the Costume and Textiles department at LACMA which publishes free downloadable garment patterns of historic dress in the permanent collection. Each printable PDF includes a scaled pattern of an extant fashion object from the collection, a description with historical context and object-based observations, overall and detailed images, and instructions for the construction of the garment.

L-Acoustics

See past webinars on their YouTube channel.

Leprecon XC350 Console

Introductory training videos.

LIGHTCONVERSE TOOLS

YouTube tutorials for this 3D rendering software for stages.

LiteGear Live Archive

Community outreach portal hosting panel discussions to educate and discuss all things related to Set Lighting. Conversations with Cinematographers, Gaffers, Rigging Gaffers, Fixtures Technicians, Programmers, and many more. They share behind-the-scenes photographs, production stills, and clips, all while chatting in real time with the filmmakers who made it happen.

LXSeries Pro

Claude Heinz Design made a temporary LXSeries Pro license available for free to anyone to facilitate using the software from home when access to learning resources was limited. The original emergency license was enabled through June 2020. While most professional production activity remains necessarily limited, the free pandemic response license will now be issued on a monthly basis for those who truly need it. A permanent license is required for professional use of the software.

MA Lighting Video Tutorials

Get tips and tricks from MA experts on your MA product. MA offers a whole range of videos on how to use your MA product in the best possible way. Just select your series and click on the links to watch the videos on their YouTube channel.

MA2 Tutorial

Learn to program a show from scratch in this YouTube crash course from Christian Jackson.

Martin Audio Product and Software Courses

Martin Audio offers a program of training workshops, webinars, and video tutorials to help users understand their products and optimize their deployment safely and efficiently.

Matthews Studio Equipment

This YouTube channel includes lighting and camera support for the professional production industries from Matthews Studio Equipment including grip gear, lighting accessories, and camera support equipment for the Theatrical, Television, Motion Picture, and Imaging Industries.

Meyer Sound Laboratories

YouTube channel on sound solutions that include self-powered sound reinforcement loudspeakers, digital audio systems, passive and active acoustic systems, cinema sound systems, and sound measurement tools for the professional audio industry.

MIDAS Online Tutorials

These videos take you through setting up the PRO2 for Front of House Position, the Preferences page as taught in their Certified Midas Digital User (CMDU) course, and the Control Centre Operation for PRO3/6/9 as taught in their Certified MIDAS Digital User (CMDU) course.

Mike Wood Lighting Design

Webinars include Vectorworks Workflow and Team Workflow focused mostly on theatrical style work, with discussion on layers, classes, settings, symbols, title blocks, section views, and more.

Moviola Filmmaker Video Courses

Comprehensive video-based training designed to equip you for professional filmmaking as quickly as possible. Each lesson is deeply condensed to get you up to speed on the topic in the time it takes to sip an overpriced latte.

MZed

There are a lot of lessons at MZed that you can watch for free without having to purchase a course or enrolling in an MZed Pro subscription. The only requirement is to create a login, which you can do here. Courses free to stream include the first lesson of Cinema Sound (Recording: Process, Perfection, and Purpose) - an hour-and-a-half lesson on recording theory and Hollywood secrets in quality audio production; a 20-minute lesson on “free lensing” from Philip Bloom’s Cinematic Masterclass; and more.

NewTek

Learning resources and online training for NewTek products including TriCaster and 3Play.

Notch VFX Training Academy

Over 4.5 hours of structured learning that take you from the basics to more advanced techniques.

Obsidian Control Systems

Obsidian offers free weekly training sessions covering the ONYX control platform and new NETRON data distribution range. These classes will be hosted online and are available globally for anyone interested in learning more about Obsidian’s lighting control products.

Pangolin Laser Systems

In the latest Pangolin Laser Systems live stream, Justin Perry, Francesco Van Loon, and Lyra Letourneau, discuss the refining of internal operations, showcase a newly studio-programmed laser show, and answer any questions about the functions within BEYOND Software.

Pooch Sound Engineer

YouTube channel with videos from Pooch who is a tenured and acclaimed Producer, Engineer, and Live Sound Engineer. His track record of recognition for flawless engineering started from Berklee College of Music through three Grammy nominations and a history of Platinum and Gold Records. He is the FOH Engineer and production master behind Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Justin Bieber, Iron Maiden, KISS, Guns & Roses, System of a Down, etc. and holds close to a dozen FOH Engineer accolades.

Practical Show Tech

Live webcast about comms, RF, and audio including Sports Broadcast A1, Immersive Audio for Live Events with d&b audiotechnik, Introduction to Backbone CoHost PL: Using the Internet to Interconnect Audio, and more.

PRG Training Videos

A series of training videos to help users familiarize themselves with Mbox Media Server, Mbox Player, V676 Console, and other PRG software.

Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-007 Network+ Course

These certification videos provide a common starting point for people working toward their initial technology certifications.

QLab Cookbook

The cookbook is a collection of projects, examples, and experiments using a broad range of QLab programming techniques including AppleScript, OSC, external control using QLab Remote, third-party MIDI and OSC controllers, and other software.

QSC Training

Hundreds of video courses with new modules produced as QSC technology develops and grows.

Renkus-Heinz Loudspeakers

Information about many of their technologies and techniques with educational videos.

Resolume Video Training

Tips and tricks of the best professional VJs poured into two hours of in-depth, practical video training. It’s a practical course that demonstrates the art behind the technicalities focused on creating a balanced, visually pleasing output while helping you become an efficient VJ that will be ready to take on any live situation.

Sennheiser Sound Academy

Webinars on a wide range of topics from RF and microphone basics to roundtable discussions with sound engineers, as well as a chance to put your questions to their application engineering team.

Shure Audio Institute Online Training

Online training for Shure products, their application, and best practices through online learning, video tutorials, and webinars.

SketchUp

Self-paced tutorials are SketchUp files that are designed to offer a hands-on, interactive experience to further develop your SketchUp skills. These tutorials are all stored in the 3D Warehouse and are free to download at any time. These tutorials are designed to teach basic navigation and drawing techniques with SketchUp.