FORUM™

The private network of the world's leading studios.
APPLY TO JOIN
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For leaders running the world's top independent studios in:
Motion & Animation
Live Action Production
Music & Sound
Experiential
VISIT FORUM NOW

Benefits.

Private Network.

Community
Discussion and connection with me and our hand-picked community of studio founders and leaders.
Live Roundtables
Each week, I lead live discussions for members to process topics relevant to running strong studios and production companies.
Replay Library
Missed a live event? Watch prior sessions at your convenience.

Expert Resources.

Accelerators
Each quarter, I lead members through a 6-12 week advanced business course.

Current: THE SALESKEEPING™ SESSIONS with agent/rep Carolyn Hill
Resident Experts
Ask questions and get advice from difficult-to-access industry experts:
‍
• THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER with Rebecca Olson
• WORKING BRAND-DIRECT with Kevin Rapp
• NEW BIZ with Michael Sterling
• OPERATIONS with Cherish Edwards
• PUBLIC RELATIONS with Kristien Brada
Studios United
Studios United is replacing the RFP with the RWA. Imagine big brands bringing projects right to your doorstep without pitching, bidding, or negotiating.

Open exclusively to members of FORUM. Currently in startup mode. See https://studios-united.com

FORUM+

Biweekly Office Hours
FORUM+ members and I convene regularly to work on their businesses. No topic is off limits, no appointment necessary.
Quarterly Review & Planning
Every 90 days you and I meet privately to review the previous quarter as well as plan the quarter ahead.
Priority Support & Feedback
Enjoy special access to me and my support team.

The story.

[01]

The challenge.

These days it seems like everyone has launched a studio.
‍
Launching is one thing. But running a studio – that is a strong, resilient business – is quite another.
[02]

The journey.

Unlike consultants who have never run a studio or production company, I ran Impossible Pictures for 20 years. So I've lived the life you're now living. Many times I have experienced that thrill of victory and agony of defeat.
[03]

The lonely road.

There's no better life than helming a creative company.

But as much as we love running our businesses, it can be a lonely road; years of toiling, making it up as you go, wondering how everyone else does it.
[04]

The support you need.

This is why I created FORUM as the private network I wish I had when I was running my studio: a safe space where accomplished creative leaders are encouraging – and pushing – each other in ways no one else can.
[05]

For founders, by founders.

To ensure FORUM fulfills its mission, these exceptional founders serve as its advisory Council:

• Amanda Russell, Co-Founder/CD at Cream
• Andre Foster, Co-Founder/ECD at First Fight
• Carolyn Hill, Production Exec/Biz Dev Agent
• Eric Singer, Partner/EP at Coupe Studios
• Martín Schurmann, Owner/ECD at Váscolo
• Ricardo Roberts, Co-Founder/EP at BIEN
• Robb Wagner, Founder at Stimulated-Inc.
• Ryan Summers, CD at Spillt
• Sarah Ward, Co-Founder/EP at The Frame Theory
It's like having a board of directors made up of the brightest minds in the industry. Truly a priceless resource.
Eric Singer
Partner at Coupe Studios
A few of our members...
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Animagic
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BIEN
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blit.studio
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The Booth
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Coat of Arms
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Cream Studio
Coupe Studios
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Deep Sky
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First Fight
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Fluent Studio
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Kingdom of Something
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Laundry
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Mammal
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Method N Madness
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Mowe Studio
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Nocaut
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Ordinary Folk
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Panoply
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Polyester
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relative.berlin
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Ryval Studios
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Sarofsky
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Secret Powers
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Side Road
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Spillt
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Stimulated-Inc
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Váscolo
It's a support system, a gathering place, a playground for idea exchange. You'll be greeted with unfiltered, unbiased, and unwavering camaraderie.
Ricardo Roberts
Co-Founder and Executive Producer at BIEN
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Not the biggest. The best.
During the pandemic, I built a large community. But its focus on bringing in new members took energy away from what mattered most: existing members.

That's why I limit FORUM memberships. So it can be great.
Staying small incentivizes me and my team to invest all our energy into paying members.

What you can expect: after completing your application, you will register for an upcoming Welcome & Orientation Session. I will personally walk you through FORUM and help you understand the free and paid options available to you.
APPLY TO JOIN
Last night when I posted there were immediate responses from everyone all over the world, including you. Before I asked anyone for help, everyone just gave it.
Amanda Russell
Co-Founder & CD at Cream Studio
VISIT FORUM NOW

Apply.

Open to qualified candidates.

FINGER ON THE PULSE

Forum Lite

Free*
PRIVATE NETWORK
Community
Roundtables: 1 per quarter
Replay Library
FUSE invitations
EXPERT RESOURCES
Quarterly Accelerator
Resident Experts
Studios United
FORUM+
Biweekly Office Hours with Joel
Quarterly Review & Planning with Joel
Priority Support & Feedback
APPLY TO JOIN
GROWING

FORUM

USD 495 quarterly
PRIVATE NETWORK
Community
Live Roundtables
Replay Library
FUSE invitations
EXPERT RESOURCES
Quarterly Accelerator
Resident Experts
Studios United
FORUM+
Biweekly Office Hours with Joel
Quarterly Review & Planning with Joel
Priority Support & Feedback
APPLY TO JOIN
ADVANCING

FORUM+

USD 995 quarterly
PRIVATE NETWORK
Community
Live Roundtables
Replay Library
Priority FUSE invitations
EXPERT RESOURCES
Year-Round Accelerators Access
Resident Experts
Studios United
FORUM+
Biweekly Office Hours
Quarterly Review & Planning
Priority Support & Feedback
APPLY TO JOIN
Forum Lite free for a limited time. FORUM and FORUM+ currently at capacity, new applicants will be added to the waitlist. Details subject to change. Need more support? Inquire about FORUM Reserve to engage 1:1 with Joel Pilger.
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FAQ
  • What does FORUM cost?
    ‍Forum Lite is free (through end of 2024) whereas FORUM is USD 495 quarterly and FORUM+ is USD 995 quarterly.
  • Are discounts available?
    Annual membership discounts are available. For international studios (based outside US/Canada/EU/APAC), special discounts are available to help offset the strength of the US dollar.
  • What is included in Forum Lite?
    Lite includes the Member Community plus one Roundtable per quarter.
  • What is FORUM+
    ​FORUM+​ is for the ambitious leader seeking my personal advice via Biweekly Office Hours, Quarterly Review & Planning, and Priority Feedback and Support.
  • If I downgrade to FORUM Lite, may I upgrade later?
    Yes, but bear in mind FORUM/FORUM+ membership is capped at 100 so downgrading may put you to the end of the waitlist. Rejoining occurs when a current member leaves, so your wait could be long.
  • ‍Is there a studio rate which gives access to other members of my team?
    Only individual subscriptions are currently available. We may offer other rates in the future, so we appreciate your feedback.
  • What have others experienced in terms of ROI?
    "After learning the insights Joel shared in Derail the Pitch, I'm proud to say it had a huge impact. We have not lost one RFP since.” — Kelli Miller at ​And/Or​

    ‍    “Following Jumpstart, negotiating our very next project we were able to double our prices. Our return on investment (ROI) was immediate.” – Marc Colomines at ​Blit.Studio​

    "Our goal was to leave 6to7 with insights to help us solidify a formal internal process around new business development. For me, it was what we needed, at the right time.” – Erin Sarofsky at ​Sarofsky​

    ‍    “BIEN wouldn't be anywhere near where we are today if it weren't for this amazing, tight-knit community.” – Ricardo Roberts at ​BIEN​
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