Your film doesn't have a financing problem. It has a knowledge problem. This fixes it.

6 weeks of hands-on film finance training with a producer who has overseen $250 million in production volume - and the credits to prove every word of it.

Only 10 spots available.  First come, first served - no exceptions.

Most films never get made. Not because the idea wasn't good enough. Not because the talent wasn't there.

Because the producer didn't know how to structure the money.

Film finance is not magic. It's not luck. It's not about who you know — not entirely. It's a learnable, repeatable skill set that separates working producers from aspiring ones. And the producers who master it don't just get one film made. They build careers.

This lab is that education — delivered over 6 live weeks by one of the most experienced film finance executives working in the industry today.

By the time it ends, you won't just understand how film finance works. You'll have built your own financial plan, developed your investor pitch, and presented your business plan to Jeanette directly — with her feedback on your specific project, not hypothetical scenarios.

This is not a lecture series. It's a working lab. And there are 10 seats.

Your Stage 32 Educator Jeanette B. Milio has structured the financing on productions for Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, HBO, Showtime, ABC/Disney, and National Geographic.

She has overseen more than 50 projects totaling over $250 million in production volume. She consults directly for Netflix and Amazon Studios on finance structuring and feasibility. She wrote the book on entertainment finance — literally. It's called Entertainment Finance Today and it's used across the industry.

She built this lab to give serious producers the exact education that separates the filmmakers who get their projects financed from the ones who don't.

Every producer who completes this lab leaves with:

• A complete, investor-ready financial plan for your project 
• A polished business plan pitch — presented to and reviewed by Jeanette 
• A working understanding of every major financing structure: equity, debt, mezzanine, subsidies, tax incentives, brand integration, co-productions, and more 
• A distribution strategy tailored to your specific project and market ✔ A risk-mitigation framework that gives investors the confidence to say yes 
• Direct email access to Jeanette throughout the entire lab 
• Session recordings in your Stage 32 library within 48 hours — forever 
• A private cohort lounge with your fellow filmmakers

PLUS — a complete document library you keep forever:

• Sample Business Plans 
• Sample Budgets 
• Sales Estimate Sheets 
• Investor Pitch Decks 
• Sales Agency Agreement 
• Collection Account Management Agreement (CAMA)
• Pay or Play Offer Template 
• Sample Option Agreement

You won’t be doing this alone. Throughout the lab, you’ll have direct access to Jeanette for questions, guidance, and support as you move your project forward. This interactive Stage 32 lab is held on Zoom and goes significantly deeper than a standard webinar. As soon as you sign up, you’ll be connected with Jeanette by email and sent a short questionnaire to help tailor the experience to your goals. If you can’t attend live sessions, all classes are recorded and available within 48 hours in your Stage 32 library. You’ll also join a dedicated lounge where you can connect with fellow creatives, share insights, and build your network along the way.

In addition, all classes will be recorded and will be yours forever. As a result, you do not have to be available live for all sessions.

Praise for Jeanette's previous Stage 32 Education:

"She made me feel like seeing my movie on the big screen was possible." "Jeanette has invaluable knowledge and made me feel like seeing my movie on the big screen was possible." — Phillip F.

"She has seen it all." "Jeanette's experience really comes through in her mentorship. She has seen it all and is so helpful in guiding you through the complex world of film and TV." — Letty L.

"Highly recommend you work with her." "I learned so much from Jeanette and highly recommend you work with her." — Kaitlin L.

Session #1: Industry Overview: The Independent Film Finance Model vs the Studio Finance Model

• How studios finance their films and generate profits

• What to expect when you work with a studio

• Comparing the studio finance model with the independent finance model

• Why independent finance models are more transparent

• Production and distribution options with studios

• Case study: HARRY POTTER

• Q&A with Jeanette

There will be an assignment after this session.

Session #2: How to Establish a Profitable Film Project

• Essential elements that create profitability for a film project.

• Essential creative elements

• Packaging talent and establishing the value

• Attaching a director and cast

• Creating a feasible budget that supports quality but allows for profit

• Understanding essential financial elements to achieve profitability

• And aligning the interests of the investor and producer

• Understanding the importance of sales estimates

• And how estimates and pre-sales relate to your search for funding

• Q&A with Jeanette

Take away materials:

• Story structure graph

• Play-or-Play template

• Sample Budget

• Sales Estimate template

There will be an assignment after this session.

Session #3: Distribution – The Devil Is In the Details

• Defining your audience and your market

• And how your genre will dictate your marketplace

• Navigating your distribution strategy and establishing the right plan for your specific project

• Deep dive of distribution options today

• Theatrical

• Streamer

• Network

• Co-productions

• Licensing

• Buy-on

• Much more

• Protecting distribution revenues

• Pitfalls of distribution agreements

• How to find the right sales agent

• And how to keep him/her on track

• Q&A with Jeanette

Take away materials: Summary sheet with all essential terms and conditions for a sales agency agreement

There will be an assignment after this session.

Session #4: Putting Together a Solid Financial Plan

• An exploration of the main financial sources today

• Bank loans

• Mezzanine

• Subsidies

• Equity

• Brand Integration

• Deferments

• In-Kind Services

• Music Investment

• More

• Understanding the requirements and the optimal balance of financial sources to create profitability

• Collateral

• What assets do financiers and lenders require, and how to give them what they need

• Why 100% equity doesn’t work

• The best way to include equity investments

• What portion of the budget should be equity and why

• How to secure “ring-fencers”

• Understanding the “Waterfall”

• Who recoups what, when and why

• Who gets paid what, when, and why

• Case Study: Financing a Film Project from scratch

• Q&A with Jeanette

Take away material: Excel Finance Plan Template

There will be an assignment after this session.

Session #5: Risk Mitigation

• Understanding the major risks risks

• Production

• Distribution

• Finance

• Revenues

• Eliminating risks

• Completion bonds

• Collection agents

• Feasible financial plans

• Avoiding distribution pitfalls

• The investor checklist

• Non-recoupable financial sources

• Free money you can take advantage of

• Related terms and conditions

• Designing a risk-averse business plan for a project (essential terms and conditions to attract investors)

• Q&A with Jeanette

Take away materials: CAMA Agreement draft

There will be an assignment after this session.

Session #6: Business Plan Pitch Workshop

• Everyone will have the opportunity to pitch their business plan to Jeanette and the class as if they were potential investors and get invaluable feedback

FAQ

Do I need to have a project ready? You should have a project or concept you want to develop a financial plan around. The lab is built to work with your specific material — that's what makes the pitch workshop in Session 6 valuable.

What if I can't attend every live session? Every session is recorded and available in your Stage 32 library within 48 hours — and yours to keep forever. You won't fall behind.

Is this right for beginners? Yes. Jeanette structures the content to meet producers at every level. The fundamentals are covered thoroughly before the advanced material builds on them.

What does "10 spots" mean? It means 10 producers and filmmakers. The small size is what makes the direct access, the personalized feedback, and the pitch workshop possible. When it's full, enrollment closes.

Can I work one on one with Jeanette? Yes, Jeanette will be available on email during the duration of the lab and one on ones to answer any questions you have about your project or career.

Are payment plans available? Yes. Contact edu@stage32.com or select at checkout.

The producers who get their films made are not more talented than the ones who don't.

They understand the money.

They know how to build a finance plan that works, how to present it to investors with confidence, and how to protect their revenues when the deals get made. That knowledge is learnable. Jeanette has spent 25 years applying it — on $250 million worth of productions, for every major studio and platform in the industry.

In 6 weeks, it's yours.

10 seats. Early bird pricing ends April 18th.

• This lab is for producers, filmmakers, and writers who are serious about getting their projects financed — not someday, but now.

   

• It's for the producer who keeps hitting walls in investor meetings and isn't sure why. It's for the filmmaker who understands the creative side completely but knows the business side is the gap. It's for the writer who wants to come to every conversation with a producer or financier knowing exactly how the money works.

   

• Beginner, intermediate, or advanced — if your goal is a financed, profitable project, this is the most direct path available.

Praise for Jeanette's previous Stage 32 Education:

"Jeanette has invaluable knowledge and made me feel like seeing my movie on the big screen was possible." --Phillip F.

"Jeanette's experience really comes through in her mentorship. She has seen it all and is so helpful in guiding you through the complex world of film and tv." -- Letty L.

"I learned so much from Jeanette and highly recommend you work with her!" -- Kaitlin L.