NYWIFT Blog

By Sofiya Saykovska

Welcome to NYWIFT, Kristin Sisley!

Kristin’s journey through the world of film and TV has been shaped by a passion for sustainability, creative collaboration, and uplifting underrepresented communities. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she is now leading the “Made in NY” Production Assistant Training Program, an initiative dedicated to diversifying New York City’s film and TV workforce.

In this interview, Kristin shares her unique path into the industry, the impact of the program, and her vision for the future of film production in NYC. From tackling challenges in a fluctuating market to inspiring future storytellers, Kristin’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship, perseverance, and fostering inclusivity in the entertainment industry.

Photo courtesy of Kristin Sisley

Welcome to NYWIFT! Give us a brief intro to what makes you, you!

My name is Kristin Sisley, and I moved to NYC over 14 years ago. I graduated from the University of Central Florida studying Theatre and received a degree in Creative Writing. I worked in theatre doing stage craft, lighting and sound, props, stage managing and acting. My love of TV and film brought me to work at a prop house in 2012, called Film Biz Recycling. It was a nonprofit run by women and the mission was to make the industry more sustainable.

During my tenure at the prop house, I saw and felt what it was like to work under and with strong women in the field and I never wanted to go back. Unfortunately, the prop house was shuttered in 2015. I then went on to work at Brooklyn Workforce Innovations with the “Made in NY” Production Assistant Training Program. This year I will be hitting my 10-year anniversary with the program! (I also love nature, film photography, plants, many forms of art expression, TV, comedy, and candy. I’m also a mom, which in turn has made me a dinosaur expert!)

Kristin speaking at one of the program’s graduations, picture courtesy of Kristin Sisley.

What inspired you to join NYWIFT?

Over the last decade I have been actively working to provide opportunities for underrepresented individuals and NYWIFT is such a fabulous group that aligns with that goal.

What are the long-term goals for the “Made in NY” PA Training Program, and how do you envision its impact on the NYC film and TV industry?

Our long-term goal is to diversify the industry. We train 70-90 people a year from underrepresented communities to start off in the film and TV industry as Production Assistants. We also offer career coaching to help them move out of the PA role into a career. Now more than ever, we need individuals who want to make a difference on sets.

How do you measure the success of the program, both in terms of participant outcomes and industry impact?

We measure our success by job placements and career growth of our graduates. I love to hear their stories when they come back to talk to classes. We have an Alumni base of over 1200 grads and hearing their personal and career growth is really inspiring to keep moving forward, even in the face of adversity.

One of the “Made in NY” Production Assistant Training Program’s graduating class, picture courtesy of Kristin Sisley.

What have been some of the most unexpected challenges in managing the program, and how have you addressed them?

The strikes of course. Our goal is to get people jobs and when those jobs dry up PA’s don’t have a union (yet) and make the least amount on set so they struggled and are still struggling to find work. We have paused some of the PA growth, so we don’t over saturate the market, and have added a couple cycles of Production Accounting classes to bring diversity to the Accounting Department.

We are also now experiencing a reversal on DEI efforts in the country, which directly effects our grads. Now it’s about finding more individuals who want to diversify their sets and feel it’s necessary to be proactive about it.

Are there any common misconceptions about the program or the role of a PA that you find yourself frequently addressing?

The misconception is that we will be able to help writers and directors get those specific careers. We focus on entry level, then moving up to crew positions. The program has a lot of creatives who want to break into the industry. We encourage them to write and make their own projects during their down time while they work to get financing. We also have an annual Alumni Film Festival where they can show their creative endeavors and be celebrated for their work.

Kristin at the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge, 2025, picture courtesy of Kristin Sisley.

What motivated you to take on the role of Program Director for this initiative, and what has been the most rewarding aspect of your role?

I initially heard about the “Made in NY” PA Program while working at Film Biz Recycling. The participants would come tour the prop house and get a lesson on sustainability in the industry. Then some of them would intern with us, and we always hired them for our events.

I was always so impressed by the work ethic and positive vibe the grads brought to each occasion. I was thrilled to be able to be a part of this program. The graduates, their stories, and seeing change happen are the most rewarding aspects.

Where can readers find more about you or your work?

Follow us on Instagram @madeinnypas or check out our YouTube @MadeinNYPA
See our website for details about the program.
Call or text our hotline to hire a Rock Star PA: 718-757-5816 or email me at ksisley@bwiny.org