The Future of Film School is Here | Stage 32 Launches Global Entertainment Career Certifications

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Hey, Creative Army!

For those of you who have been here for a while, you know how important education is to me. My dream 13 years ago was to build the world's biggest educational library for people working in television and film and we've accomplished just that, programming over 3,000 hours in the last decade.

Now, we take the next step in our evolution, fulfilling another dream of mine 8 years in the making. I'm very proud to announce, the future of film school is here.

Over the last 8 years the Stage 32 team has spoken with executives from over 100 film commissions, executives from streamers, various guilds and production companies, and film students and graduates - many saddled with enormous student loan debt. We've discussed the changing environment of global production and expansion, the dearth of quality people to fill available jobs on set, and the overwhelming need to find skilled workers available around the world available to work right now. The result of all these conversations has led us to this moment.

Today, Stage 32 Certification is working with over 40 film commissions around the US and the world to train their local community members. We just completed a program in Pittsburgh, PA where we trained 20 production accountants so they can support several incoming productions such as MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN. That specific production is a Paramount show so we also sent Stage 32 Certification educator and recent Paramount Head of Production Maegan Philmore to do an in-person workshop for all who passed their certification course so this new crop of production accountants can seamlessly integrate into the production.

Stage 32 Certification is currently training 15 new production accountants and 20 new production assistants in Hawaii to support their upcoming wave of shoots and recently completely training partnerships internationally in Costa Rica, Poland, Croatia, South Africa, Uganda and Austria in the United States in Florida, Georgia, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Nevada.

I am thrilled to share with you Stage 32 Certification. You can access the Certification portal here.

The Global Film & TV Production Problem

• There is more global production happening around the world and not enough qualified people to do the jobs.
• Film commissions are offering massive incentives, but cannot support the crew needs with local talent causing those incentives to lose value and attractiveness. 
• There are millions of people who are trying to work in film and television production, but lack the skills. They do not know where to turn beyond interning. But this is not a quick path to a working, paying career.
• With the exception of becoming more expensive and exclusive, traditional film schools have not changed since the 1970's. 
• Traditional film schools do not teach enough below the line skills which translate to opportunities to forge a meaningful career in the industry.
• Most traditional film schools do not present post-graduation opportunities to secure work.
• Traditional film school is leaving students with massive debt often in the $100,000-$300,000 range.

The Solution - Film School Online at a Fraction of the Cost

• Stage 32 offers Certification Courses in multiple below-the-line disciplines that will give people the universal skills to work on film or TV production as it exists in the current moment around the world.
• Taught by World-Class Stage 32 Educators who have worked on some of the top films & television shows, Stage 32 Certification is designed to teach the fundamentals to ensure that you are ready to step into a working situation immediately.
• Dozens of film commissions around the world are working with Stage 32 Certification and dozens more are planning to work with Stage 32 Certification in 2025 to cater training to their areas, allowing for people to be hired quickly and help these commissions meet the demands for projects in the pipeline.
• All Stage 32 Certification holders will be entered into a global database accessible by film commissions, streamers, production companies and other organizations. They will know who is qualified to work in every skill set and hire through the Stage 32 Certification portal.
• Both Stage 32 Individual Certifications and Master Certifications are at a fraction of the cost of traditional film school.
• Stage 32 Certification is all-inclusive. There are no applications to apply and no one gets denied.
• Stage 32 Certification is recognized worldwide.

Details Regarding Stage 32 Certification

Stage 32 Certification courses are taught by the top professionals working in the industry who have worked on the biggest films (BARBIE, TOP GUN: MAVERICK, BABYGIRL) and TV shows (THE WALKING DEAD, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, SEAL TEAM). Their knowledge, experience, and training can now be yours. Our educators include Paramount’s recent Director of Production Maegan Philmore, ViacomCBS Senior Production Finance Manager Shalonda Ware, former head of production at eOne and Carsey Warner Courtney Conte, the legal team at the prestigious Los Angeles-based entertainment firm Ramo Law, Wrapbook’s tax incentive expert Ryan Broussard, film producer and DGA member Korey Pollard, Script Supervisor Brenda Wachel, Emmy-Nominated Post-Production Producer Brad Carpenter, and more.

This new certification program is available NOW, right here on Stage 32! Inaugural courses focus on bedrock production skills such as Production Accounting, Cost Reporting, Production Management & more! Each course requires you to take a test at the end that you must pass in order to be entered into the Film Commission & Production Company Database. To see them all for yourself, click HERE! 

There are 2 types of certifications available:

Master Certifications - these are a group of courses that make up a master knowledge of a particular disciple. You will need to take all the courses in each Master Certification and pass a test in each course in order to be master certified. Once you receive your Stage 32 Master Certification you will be listed in a database that is accessible by film commissions, streamers, production companies and other organizations who are looking for talent for productions coming to their area. You will also receive a Stage 32 Certification badge on your profile page and which will be prominently displayed next to every post you make on the platform. We will also provide you with your own graphics to promote on your social media channels and resume oriented platforms like LinkedIn.

Current Master Certifications Include:

• Production Accounting Master Certification
• TV Production Management Master Certification
• Feature Film Production Management Master Certification
• Line Producing Master Certification
• Producer Key Legal Agreements Master Certification
• Script Supervising Master Certification
• Location Management Master Certification
• Production Coordinator Master Certification
• Production Assistant Master Certification
• Assistant Director Master Certification
• Post-Production Supervision Master Certification

Individual Certifications - these are individual courses and focus on a particular skill set in which you will watch the course and be tested at the end in order to receive your certificate. Once you receive your Stage 32 Certification you will be listed in a database that is accessible by film commissions, streamers, production companies and other organizations who are looking for talent for productions coming to their area. You will also receive a Stage 32 Certification badge on your profile page and which will be prominently displayed next to every post you make on the platform. We will also provide you with your own graphics to promote on your social media channels and resume oriented platforms like LinkedIn.

Current Individual Certifications include:

• Budget Creation
• Production Scheduling
• Call Sheets
• Production Accounting 101
• Payroll Accounting and Management for Film & TV
• Cost Reporting
• US Tax Incentive Management
• Script Supervision 101
• Script Supervision: Script Timing & Page Breakdown
• Script Supervision: Continuity Breakdown
• Script Supervision: Script Notes & Lined Script Pages
• Script Supervision: On Set Continuity
• Script Supervision: Progress Reports & Work Flow
• Production Wrap Deliverables
• Final Delivery Elements Of A TV Show
• Final Delivery Elements Of A Feature Film
• Option/Purchase/Shopping Agreements
• Feature Film Financing Agreements
• Investor Agreements
• International Co-Production Agreements
• Crew Agreements
• Talent Agreements
• Distribution & Sales Agency Agreements
• Fundamentals Of Location Management
• Location Scouting
• Location Management: Budgeting & Scheduling
• Location Management: Contracts, Risk Management & Negotiating
• The Fundamentals of Production Coordinating
• Production Coordinator: Logistics
• Fundamentals Of Production Assisting
• Production Assistant: On Set Protocols
• Production Assistant: Paperwork & Department Interaction
• Fundamentals Of Assistant Directing
• Assistant Director Scheduling
• First Assistant Director On Set Protocols
• Key 2nd Assistant Director Protocols & Call Sheets
• 2nd 2nd Assistant Director Protocols
• Fundamentals of Post-Production Supervision
• Post-Production Supervisor Protocols for a TV Series
• Post-Production Supervisor Protocols for a Feature Film
• Post-Production Supervisor Scheduling & Budgeting
• Post-Production Coordinator & Production Assistant Protocols

More About The Film Commission & Production Company Database:

All course graduates - whether you are individually certified or master certified - will be listed in a new database accessible by regional film commissions and production companies hiring in the hundreds of fast-growing production hotspots around the world. Dozens of international and domestic film commissions, including Costa Rica, Croatia, Poland, South Africa, Uganda, Ontario, Cyprus, Slovakia, Canacine Mexico, Pittsburgh, Hawaii, Houston, Nevada, Oregon, Dallas, Montana, Louisiana Baton Rouge, Central Pennsylvania, Clearwater-St. Pete, and the Location Managers Guild International are all official supporters of Stage 32 Certification and we are in talks with over 50 commissions and other organizations to come on board for 2025 and beyond. With the new Stage 32 Certification database, film commissions, streamers, production companies & other organizations will be able to easily identify, report on & hire qualified people in their areas to support and work on incoming productions.

Once you Become Certified - Stage 32 Certification Badges:

Once you've completed a certification course, your Stage 32 profile page will update with a "certification badge". This badge will be visible on your profile, as well as your posts and comments, showcasing that you're certified and included on the commission database. For those of you who are actively looking for work and growing your resume, it will help you stand out and let those who are hiring for key positions identify you and your abilities quickly. 

Stage 32 Certification Badge & Coursework on your Stage 32 Profile:

Stage 32 Certification Badge on all your comments throughout the site:

Global Film & TV Production Summit- FREE!

I couldn't be more grateful to everyone who generously gave of their time to help mold this program over the last 8 years. I would be remiss (in a gigantic way) if I didn't shine a light on Stage 32's Managing Director, Amanda Toney, and our Head of Certification, Sam Sokolow, who work tirelessly and put in a Herculean effort day in and day out to make this dream a reality. I cannot say enough about their passion, drive, desire and dedication. I've been in awe, and they deserve every accolade. None of this would be possible without them.

So there you have it. A new day has dawned and we're moving with the times. You have heard me say time and time again that we're not stopping here at Stage 32 until everyone who has a desire to work in film and television gets their shot. And Stage 32 Certification is another step in that mission. Let's seize the day together.

As always, if you have any questions on Stage 32 Certification, never hesitate to reach out to Sam and his team at certification@stage32.com. They're always happy to hear from our members.

Thank you for reading and for the support.

Much love.

RB

Check out our BRAND NEW Stage 32 Certification Portal HERE!

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