Forum™

Where leaders of the world's top studios grow together.
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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

Forum at a glance.

[01]

The challenge.

These days it seems like everyone has launched a studio.

Launching is one thing. But running a dynamic studio – that is also a strong business – is quite another thing. It's a massive undertaking.
[02]

What it takes.

Unlike consultants who have never run a creative studio, I helmed the remarkable Impossible Pictures for 20 years.

I've lived the life you're now living. So I know both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. And what it really takes.
[03]

Why you do it.

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

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]

Surround yourself with the best.

This is why I built Forum as the private network where legit founders and I are sharing all our secrets to growing a fanatical following, winning better clients (with bigger budgets), building a top notch team, and producing truly great work.

Together we make each other stronger. Join us.
[05]

Council.

To ensure diverse viewpoints and real-world applicability, these industry luminaries are generously helping guide Forum as our advisory board:

Andre Foster, Co-Founder/ECD at First Fight
Carolyn Hill, Production Executive/Biz Dev Agent at Carolyn Reps
Ricardo Roberts, Co-Founder/EP at BIEN
Amanda Russell, Co-Founder/CD at Cream
Martín Schurmann, Owner/ECD at Váscolo
Eric Singer, Partner/EP at Coupe Studios
Ryan Summers, CD at Spillt
Robb Wagner, Founder/Experiential Artist at Stimulated-Inc.
Sarah Ward, Co-Founder/EP at The Frame Theory
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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The private network of leaders running the world's top independent studios in:
Animation & Motion
Live Action Production
Experiential
Music & Sound

The details.

Community

Founders-Only Network
The pros know their coaches and teammates provide invaluable accountability, push them past comfort zones, and unleash their full potential.

It's the same inside Forum, where hand-picked peers will push you in ways you would never push yourself.
Weekly Roundtables
Every week members jump into a discussion with a fellow founder or special guest expert. Topics span every conceivable aspect of running a studio business from sales to finance, hiring to firing, client to cash management, production to publicity, and much more.
FUSE VIP Invitations
Enjoy priority invitations to FUSE private meetups: dinners, happy hours, and more.
NEW: Resident Experts
Forum members have special access to fractional resources usually out of reach to all but the largest studios.

Our Resident Experts help members thanks to their deep industry expertise in:

→ New Biz
→ Public Relations & Buzz
→ Legal, Contracts & IP
→ HR, Operations & IT
→ Al for Studios

Resources

Derail the Pitch
I'm helping you master the art of navigating big-budget pitches to win more and lose less in Derail the Pitch. More accelerators coming soon.

Previously $5K, now included in Forum.
Studios United
Exclusively open to Forum members, big brands want to bring projects right to your doorstep. Say goodbye to the RFP and hello to the RWA (ready, willing, and able).

Our pilot project for a global brand is proving this is a game changer.
Brainfood & Replay Library
Our growing collection of pitch decks, treatments, and tools, as well as replays of all past roundtables.

Accountability*

Biweekly Office Hours
Every other week I make myself available to tackle your specific challenges in person. No appointment necessary. No topic off limits.
Quarterly 1:1 Review & Planning
Every 90 days, you and I meet privately to review the past quarter and plan the quarter ahead. Your leadership team is welcome to join us.
Priority feedback and support
*Included in Forum+
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The best, not the biggest.
During the pandemic, I built a large community. And it was good.

But the focus on attracting more members eventually took energy away from what mattered most: existing members.

That's why I limit Forum to just 100. So it can be great.

Staying small incentivizes me and my team to invest all our energy into our existing members. And this also incentivizes members not to be lurkers, but active participants.

When you apply, Forum is typically at capacity so you will be added to the waitlist. Spots become available whenever a current member decides not to renew, at which point new members are hand-selected from the waitlist.

I invite you to apply and I appreciate your patience.
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

Membership.

FINGER ON THE PULSE

Forum Lite

COMMUNITY
Founders-Only Network
1 Roundtable per quarter
FUSE VIP invitations
Resident Experts
RESOURCES
Derail the Pitch
Studios United
Brainfood & Replay Library
ACCOUNTABILITY
Biweekly Office Hours with Joel
Quarterly 1:1 Review & Planning with Joel
Priority feedback and support
APPLY
GROWING

Forum

COMMUNITY
Founders-Only Network
Weekly Roundtables
FUSE VIP invitations
Resident Experts
RESOURCES
Derail the Pitch
Studios United
Brainfood & Replay Library
ACCOUNTABILITY
Biweekly Office Hours with Joel
Quarterly 1:1 Review & Planning with Joel
Priority feedback and support
APPLY
ADVANCING

Forum+

COMMUNITY
Founders-Only Network
Weekly Roundtables
FUSE VIP invitations
Resident Experts
RESOURCES
Derail the Pitch
Studios United
Brainfood & Replay Library
ACCOUNTABILITY
Biweekly Office Hours with Joel
Quarterly 1:1 Review & Planning with Joel
Priority feedback and support
APPLY
Forum and Forum+ currently at capacity, new applicants will be added to the waitlist. Forum included with 1-On-1 Advisory Engagements. Details subject to change.
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FAQ
How did Forum change on April 1, 2024?
On April 1, 2024 we are rolled out big improvements – Derail the Pitch, Resident Experts, Studios United, and more – as well as shifted to a supporter model.

What is the cost?
Forum Lite is free, Forum is $495 quarterly, and Forum+ is $995 quarterly.

(Forum is included with my 1:1 Engagements.)

Are discounts available?
For international studios (based outside the US/Canada/EU/APAC), a discount is available to help offset the strength of the US dollar. Email ​my VA Brit​ and ask her for your coupon.

What is included in Forum Lite?
Lite includes only the main Discussion space plus one Roundtable of your choosing per quarter.

What is Forum+?
​Forum+​ is for the ambitious studio seeking my personal advice: Biweekly Office Hours, Quarterly 1:1 Review & Planning, plus Priority Feedback and Support.

If I don’t subscribe now, can I rejoin later?
Yes, but bear in mind membership is now capped at 100. Since we are at capacity, leaving will send you to the end of the waitlist. Rejoining occurs when a current member leaves, therefore the wait might be long (as of March 13 there are 162 people on the waitlist).

You once ran a free community, why switch Forum to paid?
We’re building much more than a mere chat space run by consultants. As a former founder myself, I am determined to lead this elite network where you and your peers thrive, and that requires investment.Unlike my former community where almost everyone was free (but a small group of you paid high fees), Forum is different. Here I envision everyone making a small contribution which adds up to big benefits for all.

What have others experienced in terms of ROI (return on investment)?

After learning the insights Joel shared in Derail the Pitch, we rethought our approach to RFPs. I'm proud to say it had a huge impact. We have not lost one RFP since we made these changes.” — 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​

Is there a studio rate which provides access to multiple members of my team?
Only individual subscriptions are available now. We may offer other rates in the future so we appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

My studio has been around a long time, I’m not sure I need this. Why should I join?
Remember long ago how you would have given anything to gain access to someone with all the knowledge you possess today? Forum is your opportunity to be that someone, explore powerful collaborations, as well as leave a legacy of strengthening our industry.

What if I no longer run my studio or production company?
Once a founder, always a founder. If you have ever been an owner or partner at an independent creative company, you qualify. Also, we occasionally invite influential persons in our industry to join. If that’s you, please inquire.