What is FORUM?

[01]

"Am I doing this right?"

Running a creative business is a lonely road.

Yes, the work is rewarding. But it’s also exhausting. You're constantly hustling for the next project, negotiating, hiring, managing clients, pivoting, all while wondering if everyone else is also making it up as they go.

[02]

It's lonely at the top.

Running a studio is more than just delivering great creative. You’re the owner, the leader, the salesperson, the negotiator, and on it goes. With no roadmap, you feel stuck figuring it out on your own.

A little-known secret: top studios don’t go it alone.

[03]

Been there, solved that.

I know because I’ve been there. I ran Impossible Pictures for 20 years. I felt that same isolation, the same feast-or-famine rollercoaster.

What changed everything for me wasn’t more wondering — it was mastering the art of business.

[04]

The mastermind you've been missing.

That’s why I created FORUM.

Imagine 150 of the world's top creative leaders — those who’ve figured out how to navigate clients, staff, finances, growth — all sharing their insights in one place.

It’s like a nonstop mastermind with the smartest people in the industry.

[05]

For founders, by founders.

Not only is this a community, this is a grassroots movement supporting studios worldwide. To that end, our Council is made up of respected founders ensuring FORUM delivers for its members:
‍
• Amanda Russell, Co-Founder/CD at Cream
• Production Exec/Agent at Carolyn Reps
• 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

Member benefits.

Peer Network.

Discussion Spaces

Tap into ongoing honest conversations with your peers and me. Post, comment, DM, and bookmark. Don't be surprised as your rivals turn out to be your staunchest supporters.

Live Roundtables & Replay Library

Each week, I invite a special guest for a live discussion focused on a hyper-relevant topic. Missed the livestream? Catch up anytime in our ever-growing Replay Library.

FUSE invitations

Enjoy priority invitations to my FUSE founder dinners and global workshops.

Elite Resources.

Accelerators All-Access Pass

Enjoy full access to our accelerator library (normally $5K per course) including:

→ Derail the Pitch™ [VIEW COURSE]
→ Saleskeeping™ [VIEW COURSE]
→ Studio Flight Deck™ [VIEW COURSE]

New courses being added quarterly. In development for 2025 are How to Speak Brand led by Joel Pilger and Kevin Rapp, Producers & Owners Playbook led by Joel Pilger and Rebecca Olson, and Lead Flow Factory lead by Joel Pilger.

Insider Intel

[NEW] Shared, crowdsourced intelligence from your peers.

→ The Bench: Directory of freelance talent recommended by top studios.
→ The Circuit: Calendar of top industry events, conferences, and award shows.

Resident Experts

Enjoy access to our top vetted industry pros for expert guidance in production, public relations, operations, business development, positioning, and more.

Direct Support.

Live Sessions with Joel

I regularly open my door to meet with you to conduct Biweekly Office Hours and quarterly Business Review & Planning Sessions.

Access for Your Team

FORUM Teams includes membership for each person on your studio's leadership team.

Priority Feedback

FORUM Teams receive priority direct messaging feedback from me and my support team.

Not the biggest. The best.

During the pandemic I formed a large community, and it was good. But as it grew, its focus on bringing in new members took energy away from what mattered most: existing members.

This is why FORUM is capped at 150 — so each member receives the focused attention and support they need.

How it works: once your application is accepted, you are invited to join my next Initiation Session. That starts your 30-day trial to experience FORUM as a full member.

If no seats are open after the trial, you will be moved to Lite, our free membership tier. Enjoy limited access to the community while you wait for a slot to open.

We look forward to helping you master the art of running a strong, resilient creative business.

APPLY

Pick your path.

Apply below to join me in my next Initiation Session.

STAY IN THE LOOP

Lite

Free

Waitlist

PEER NETWORK

Open Mic space

1 Roundtable per quarter

FUSE dinner invitations

ELITE RESOURCES

Accelerators All-Access Pass

Insider Intel

Resident Experts

EXTENDED SUPPORT

Live Sessions with Joel

Access for Your Team

Priority Feedback

APPLY

MASTER THE ART OF BUSINESS

FORUM+

USD 995 quarterly

Per individual with 30 day free trial

PEER NETWORK

All Discussion Spaces

Weekly Roundtables & Replays

FUSE dinner invitations

ELITE RESOURCES

Accelerators All-Access Pass

Insider Intel

Resident Experts

EXTENDED SUPPORT

Live Sessions with Joel

Access for Your Team

Priority Feedback

APPLY

SUPERCHARGE YOUR TEAM

FORUM Teams

USD 2495 quarterly

Per studio, unlimited seats*

PEER NETWORK

All Discussion Spaces

Weekly Roundtables & Replays

VIP FUSE dinner invitations

ELITE RESOURCES

Accelerators All-Access Pass

Insider Intel

Resident Experts

EXTENDED SUPPORT

Live Sessions with Joel

Access for Your Team

Priority Feedback

APPLY

FORUM capped at 150 members. If no seats are open after free trial, members are moved to Lite. FORUM Teams is open to studio members with P&L visibility. Annual discounts available. All details subject to change to best serve our members.

FORUM™

What is FORUM?

"Am I doing this right?"

It's lonely at the top.

Been there, solved that.

The mastermind you've been missing.

For founders, by founders.

Member benefits.

Peer Network.

Elite Resources.

Direct Support.

Pick your path.

Apply below to join me in my next Initiation Session.

Lite

FORUM+

FORUM Teams

MEMBERS INCLUDE