Play

Forum

The elite, private space where ambitious studios and production companies master the art of the business.

Build a sharper, stronger studio with Joel Pilger and your peers.
Who is it for?

Studio founders working in motion, animation, live action, sound, and experiential.

What will you learn?

Every area of business except creative: run your studio with clarity and confidence.

What’s the format?

Private community platform including weekly events, industry-specific courses, peer-driven discussion, and more.

What is Forum

Serious studios live here.

Forum is the private platform where ambitious studio founders lean into industry-specific community, courses, and coaching—all to help each other master the business and produce our greatest creative work.

Discussion & DMs

Join curated conversations with top studio founders worldwide. Ask sharper questions. This is where your peers push you further than you ever would alone.

Live Events

Attend weekly roundtables tackling the real challenges creative businesses face. It’s your front-row seat to clarity and growth.

Accelerator Courses

Access our growing collection of industry-specific accelerators—on sales, pitching, lead gen, working brand direct, and more—all tailored to move your studio forward faster.

Replay Library

Missed a live session? No worries. Catch full replays (and the Forum private podcast) of all roundtables, workshops, Joel's Field Notes, and more.

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
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
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 & Creative Director at Cream Studio
In Forum, the Jumpstart Experience was the compass we needed to find our own path and take Animagic to the next level.
David Calderon | Co-Founder & Executive Creative Director at Animagic
Accelerator Courses (led by Joel Pilger and guest experts)
Jumpstart® Foundations

Make the jump from order-taker to expert with the mindsets that unleash studios to break that $1M ceiling and beyond.

Learn More
NEW: Lead Flow Generator™ with Ryan Summers

Build a simple system to attract high-quality leads at scale, without losing the critical human touch.

Learn More
Brand Direct™ with Kevin Rapp

Win enviable brand clients by speaking their language, selling outcomes, and building long-term, lucrative accounts.

Learn More
Derail the Pitch™

The counterintuitive way to regain control of the pitch process and never again be the dreaded third bid.

Learn More
Saleskeeping® with Carolyn Hill

Escape the feast-or-famine cycle with a system that delivers consistent sales... as naturally as bookkeeping.

Learn More
Studio Flight Deck™

End the chaos. Build simple systems to empower your team, take control of cash, and confidently pilot your studio.

Learn More
FAQ
How do I join Forum?

Click “Become a Member” and apply. If accepted, you’ll join Joel for an Initiation Session and start a 30-day free trial. If a Forum 150 seat is open, you’re in—otherwise, you will be placed in a free Lite membership until a seat opens.

What’s the difference between Lite, Forum 150, and Teams?

Lite is free and includes limited access to conversations and select events.

Forum 150 unlocks full community access: all Accelerators, Weekly Roundtables, our Replay Library (including the Private Podcast), Office Hours with Joel, and more. Capped at 150 members to maintain intimacy and exclusivity.

Teams includes Forum 150 plus access for your leadership team and VIP-level support.

If I downgrade to Lite, can I come back to Forum 150 later?

If you downgrade, you’ll be moved to Lite. You can become a member again when a seat becomes available, but the wait may be several months or more—and you’ll rejoin at current pricing. To avoid the wait, stay active—or click Become a Member to reclaim your seat as soon as one opens.

Are discounts available?

Yes. Annual plans receive a discount. Studios outside the US, Canada, EU, and APAC may qualify for additional discounts due to currency differences.

What types of studios are members in Forum?

Among the Forum 150 are independent studios and production companies spanning motion, animation, VFX, live action, experiential, sound, and music. Team sizes range from 2–40 with annual revenue of USD $300K—$20M+.

What is Forum Reserve?

Forum Reserve is Joel Pilger’s 1-on-1 advisory practice for qualified studios. By invitation only.