Hi, Everybody!

I’m the Head of Certification here at Stage 32.

Stage 32’s Certification program is the brainchild of our CEO, Rich “RB” Botto, and I’ve had the privilege of working with RB, our Managing Director Amanda Toney, and the truly amazing Stage 32 Education team to help bring this program to life.

Like so many endeavors, creative and otherwise, what started as an idea led to meetings and then designs and then execution and then to launch. Now, Stage 32 Certification is working with film commissions, guilds, schools, and institutions all around the globe to train people in markets big and small so they can either get their start working on productions or climb the ladders in their careers.

And ladders are meant for climbing.

I’ve often thought of my career as a ladder that I must keep climbing. There is always more to do. Always rungs to ascend. So, since the minute RB shared his vision with me, I saw Stage 32 Certification as something that can help people climb the ladders in their own careers.

Creating jobs and supporting talented and creative people on their way up has always been the greatest feeling for me in the industry. I know what it takes, personally, to make the climb.

I’m a 2-time Emmy nominated producer who has had the honor of working on projects with Oscar-winning directors and Oscar-winning actors and writers who have either won or been nominated for just about every award imaginable (I might have even worked with an actor who has a Razzie here or there). I’ve executive produced 20 original TV series and produced several feature films, documentaries, and even a few animated shorts, not to mention dozens of commercials when I was starting out.

That all looks OK for a 2-sentence topline of my work but we rarely talk about the ladder that I had to climb to get to do that work.

How I Got Started...

I started out as a summer intern at a small production company before Doordash existed so I was on the run all day long. After a couple of summers, I made the climb to becoming a Production Assistant, first in a production office and then, finally, on set. My very first task on a set was to get a coffee for the Key Production Assistant, who soon after did a coffee run for the production team. Yep – I got coffee for the person who gets coffee. But I wasn’t starting at the bottom. I was already further up the ladder than I was as an intern. And by then, I was great at getting food and drinks for people. That’s not a joke, either. Getting orders right matters because you want to support everyone working on a project and not distract them by getting their order wrong. Everyone has to be prepared and great at their job for the whole machine to work well, especially the Production Assistants (PA’s for short).

I was a PA for several years, supplementing my income by helping a company build grip trucks out of cube trucks and making overnight runs for production designers leading up to shoots or events. I was always learning from people who had done those jobs before me. There were other odd jobs along the way, but my focus was always on moving up in the film & TV industry. That’s how I eventually got asked to be a Production Coordinator on a couple of TV commercials. And that was another rung up.

Crafting Certification

When we crafted the Production Assistant Master Certification, which is taught by producers and Directors Guild of America Assistant Directors Gary Fiorelli and Korey Pollard, we leaned into all of our combined experience so the courses give people the exact skills required to be prepared for the job from the very moment they walk on set for the first time. And if someone has already worked on set, the course makes them better at the job so they can thrive and move up to the next level.

Gary and Korey also both started as Production Assistants and worked their way up. Now, as First Assistant Directors who work on the biggest shows and movies, from hit shows like TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN and SEAL TEAM to movies like the reboot of HALLOWEEN and THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films, they want to help people be great at the job. Teaching Stage 32 Certification was a calling for them because they know what it takes for people to thrive.

RB’s mission at Stage 32 is to democratize the industry and give everyone the chance to be supported, learn, and grow. That mission is shared by everyone who teaches our Certification courses.

That’s why we bring the same energy and attention to detail to every course. Because when a Production Assistant is ready to make the leap up to Production Coordinator, Stage 32 Certification’s Production Coordinator Master Certification, with courses taught by Matt Conner (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu), is waiting to give you the skills and tools you need to do the job at the highest level. To thrive.

Just Keep Climbing

When it’s time to climb that next rung to First Assistant Director, Line Producer or Production Manager, Stage 32 Certification is there to lift you up.

If you’re about to produce a film or a TV show, The Key Production Legal Documents Master Certification, taught by the team from the Beverly Hills firm Ramo Law, is there.

If I sound excited and passionate about all of this, it’s because I am.

I’ve done many of these jobs myself and I’ve gotten to work with amazing people in all of these positions on the projects that I’ve produced, and that love of the game is infused in this program. I’m not just proud of it, I’m invested in the success of everyone who takes the courses wherever you are in the world.

This is all designed with one goal in mind. To help you climb the ladder.

If I can ever answer any questions or be of any help, to you or anyone you know, please email me directly at Certification@Stage32.com.

So What is Stage 32 Certification?

Stage 32 Certification is a professional training initiative designed to provide real-world, industry-driven education that is recognized by film commissions, studios, production companies, and financiers worldwide.

The Two Types of Stage 32 Certification

Master Certifications: Master Certifications are comprehensive tracks that include multiple courses covering a full mastery of a particular discipline. To earn a Master Certification, you must complete all required courses in the track and pass an exam for each.

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

Individual Certifications: Individual Certifications are focused single-course certifications on specialized skills. After completing the course, you will be tested and receive an official Stage 32 certification badge upon passing.

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

What Happens After You Get Certified?

Once you complete a Stage 32 Certification, you will:

• Be included in a global database searchable by industry professionals, film commissions, and studios.
• Receive a certification badge on your Stage 32 profile, which is visible to over 1.2 million members worldwide.
• Gain credentials to display on your social media, resume, and LinkedIn profile.
• Be recognized as a qualified industry professional, making it easier for you to get hired and advance your career.

Get Certified. Get To Work. Start By Clicking Here!

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