Act One brings its acclaimed Producing & Entertainment Executive Program to emerging and working filmmakers around the world through live online instruction, making professional training and Christian community accessible wherever you live.

Designed for working professionals, the program combines weekly live classes, exclusive Producer Case Studies, and meaningful cohort conversations. Learn directly from accomplished filmmakers, gain practical industry insight, and build relationships that continue long after the program ends.

In just 16 weeks, Act One delivers exceptional value: 80+ hours of professional instruction, real-world Case Studies, a feature-producing capstone, an industry pitch presentation, and the Sundance Film Festival—all at a cost far below many comparable programs.

Learning how to make a film is only part of becoming a producer or entertainment executive. You must also know how to recognize compelling material, develop it, communicate with writers, build a team, navigate budgets and contracts, solve problems, and guide a project from its earliest idea to its audience.

The Act One Producing & Entertainment Executive Program teaches both the creative and business sides of the industry—along with the leadership, ethics, and relationships required to build a lasting career.

During the 16-week program, students receive:

Live instruction and exclusive access to working entertainment professionals

Go inside real projects with the filmmakers who made them

Develop the skills and materials producers need to move projects forward

Develop, package, and pitch a feature project of your own

Join a lasting Christian entertainment community and experience the Sundance Film Festival

Learn through more than 80 hours of live classes, conversations, and Q&As with accomplished producers, writers, directors, executives, agents, attorneys, and other industry leaders. Gain practical insight into both the creative and business sides of film and television—and ask questions directly of the people doing the work.

Students watch a completed film or television series and then meet directly with one of its producers for a candid examination of how the project was developed, financed, produced, and distributed. Explore the decisions, challenges, compromises, and breakthroughs behind the finished work.

Develop a working knowledge of the entire producing process, including finding and optioning material, creative development, script coverage, giving notes, pitching, entertainment contracts, financing, budgeting, scheduling, production, post-production, marketing, sales, and distribution.

Throughout the program, students produce a feature film “on paper,” applying what they learn to a project of their own. Each student creates a professional pitch deck and presents the project to a panel of Act One faculty and entertainment-industry professionals.

The program culminates with an immersive week at the Sundance Film Festival, where students encounter new films, filmmakers, and the business of independent entertainment firsthand. Graduates also become part of a worldwide community of Christians who encourage one another, share opportunities, collaborate on projects, and pursue excellence throughout mainstream and faith-based entertainment.

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

Over the 16 weeks, producing basics (budgets, script coverage, development, finance, and more) will be taught online. The 16 weeks include:

80+ hours of online instruction
Industry internship (when available)
Week-long trip to the Sundance Film Festival
Video chats with classmates & faculty
Screening films & shows
Reading assignments

DATES

- October 3, 2026-January 29, 2027

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Bird Deadline: June 15th, 2026 ($100 off tuition)
Regular Deadline: August 1st, 2026
Final Deadline: September 1st, 2026
Class begins on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026

REQUIREMENTS

1. RESUME: A current professional resume.
2. PERSONAL STATEMENT: No more than 3 pages detailing the following:

Briefly describe your spiritual journey and your belief in Jesus Christ.
Why do you, as a Christian, want to work in the entertainment business? In what capacity do you see yourself most effective and passionate, and why?
Cite examples of movies or TV shows that are most like what you aspire to help create, and tell us why.
What do you hope to learn from the Producing Program and what are your plans upon completion of the Producing Program?

3. REFERENCE LETTERS: please upload two professional reference letters. Any questions about your application can be directed to information@actoneprogram.com.

4. INTERVIEW: Once you have submitted your online application, we will contact you to set up a time for an interview (via Zoom) with an Act One staff member. The interview will be casual in nature and will take less than 30 minutes. The goal of the interview is to get to know you as a potential student.

COST

APPLICATION FEE: $50.00
COURSE FEE: $4,800.00*

*Deposit of 50% of the tuition cost is required upon acceptance into the program to hold your spot.

The remainder of the tuition balance MUST be paid by November 15th, 2026.

APPLY FOR PRODUCING PROGRAM.

Have Questions. Visit our FAQ Page Here

SAMPLE COURSE SCHEDULE

Week One

Lesson 1: Servant Leadership
Lesson 2: Demystifying the Production Process from IP to Distribution

Week Two

Lesson 3: Optioning Material
Lesson 4: The Spiritual History of Hollywood

Week Three

Lesson 5: Giving Notes to Writers
Lesson 6: Script Coverage

Week Four

Lesson 7: Negotiating Entertainment Contracts
Lesson 8: Loglines & Pitching

Week Five

Lesson 9: Seven Major Principles & Practices of the Most Successful Producers
Lesson 10: Finding and Developing Material

Week Six

Lesson 11: Production Workflow
Lesson 12: Line Producing

Week Seven

Lesson 13: Creating a Production Schedule
Lesson 14: Creating a Production Budget

Week Eight

Lesson 15: Production Coordinating
Lesson 16: Agents & Managers

Week Nine

Lesson 17: Development Heaven or Hell?
Lesson 18: Producing for Television

Week Ten

Lesson 19: Funding your Projects
Lesson 20: Producing for Commercials, Music Videos and Short Films

Week Eleven

Lesson 21: Leading & Navigating the Chaos of TV
Lesson 22: VFX Workflow

Week Twelve

Lesson 23: Post-Production Workflow
Lesson 24: Producing Reality/Non-Scripted TV

Week Thirteen

Lesson 25: Business Ethics
Lesson 26: Domestic Distribution and Foreign Sales

Week Fourteen

Lesson 27: Transmedia
Lesson 28: Faith, Media & Culture

Week Fifteen

Lesson 29: Sprucing Up Your Industry Resume & LinkedIn Profile
Lesson 30: Hollywood as a Mission Field

Week Sixteen

*Sundance Film Festival

Producing & Entertainment Executive Faculty

[Subject To Availability]

Act One is a positive answer for the development of filmmakers who will impact the spiritual, moral, and patriotic values of America.

Lloyd J. Ogilvie

Chaplain Emeritus, United States Senate

The Producing & Entertainment Executive Program was the ideal next step in advancing my career. It perfectly mixed the practical and theoretical – with great lectures and seminars complementing and augmenting real-world, industry internships. It challenged me creatively and intellectually, all while fostering amazing fellowship to the larger Act One community.

Terence Berry

Act One graduate, Producer, That Evening Sun

The increasing quality of the entertainment professionals Act One recruits as faculty and the rising preparedness of their students each year testifies to the quality and wisdom of the program’s design

Charles B. Slocum

Asst. Executive Director, WGA West

The Act One Producing Program offers its students a unique and one-of-a-kind learning experience that prepares them for the business of show business in order for them to be successful in manifesting their spirituality within media.

Anne Marie Gillen

Producer, Fried Green Tomatoes, Under Suspicion, Into Temptation

It has changed my spiritual and technical vision. It has shown me how to improve my skills as a storyteller. Christian writers must enroll in Act One if they are looking for direction and structure.

Poliana A.

Alumna

A wonderful concoction of knowledgeable speakers, prayerful team leaders, and dedicated participants. A top-notch group of kind-hearted and world-successful individuals who welcomed us and truly want us to thrive.

Erika T.

Alumna

Act One has made a difference. I have tools to improve my writing, friends that love Jesus in the industry, and a far better understanding of the climate I am attempting to be a part of. Act One is packed with professionals that take their craft seriously and clearly hope to inspire other Christians to do the same.

Dave B.

Alumnus

Act One is a huge blessing, both professionally and spiritually. The mentors and speakers are filled not only with wisdom about their craft and the industry but also with compassion for their students. This program really is the perfect place to hone your writing and producing skills for the glory of God and to build a life-long community of believers and fellow writers.

Zach V.

Alumnus

Act One is developing a generation of screenwriters who are going to greatly impact our society, by demanding that writers be as concerned about the artistic and moral quality of their scripts as they are about ratings and box office.

Dean Batali

Writer, Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Executive Producer, That ‘70s Show

Act One provides not only a serious investigation into the art and craft of screenwriting, but also a challenge to think deeply about the content.

Scott Derrickson

Director, Doctor Strange

The Act One Writing Program did more for me in 10 weeks than four years of college was ever able to get me.

Nicholas C.

Alumnus

Every good production starts with the writer. Writers who are interested in the craft of writing start with Act One.

Ralph Winter

Producer, The Promise, X-Men 2, The Giver

Act One is affirmative action for Christian writers…

L.A. Times

More than anything, the community of Act One has encouraged me to keep going in this city. The stories they share have been invaluable. I’m really thankful to have found a group of like-minded people who are also excellent at what they do.

Hannah C.

Alumna

Producing & Entertainment Executive Program

Act One brings its acclaimed Producing & Entertainment Executive Program to emerging and working filmmakers around the world through live online instruction, making professional training and Christian community accessible wherever you live.

Designed for working professionals, the program combines weekly live classes, exclusive Producer Case Studies, and meaningful cohort conversations. Learn directly from accomplished filmmakers, gain practical industry insight, and build relationships that continue long after the program ends.

In just 16 weeks, Act One delivers exceptional value: 80+ hours of professional instruction, real-world Case Studies, a feature-producing capstone, an industry pitch presentation, and the Sundance Film Festival—all at a cost far below many comparable programs.

The Act One Producing & Entertainment Executive Program teaches both the creative and business sides of the industry—along with the leadership, ethics, and relationships required to build a lasting career.

During the 16-week program, students receive:

Already enrolled and need to make a tuition payment?

COURSE DESCRIPTION

DATES

APPLICATION DEADLINES

REQUIREMENTS

COST

SAMPLE COURSE SCHEDULE

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

Week Seven

Week Eight

Week Nine

Week Ten

Week Eleven

Week Twelve

Week Thirteen

Week Fourteen

Week Fifteen

Week Sixteen

Producing & Entertainment Executive Faculty

[Subject To Availability]

Alison Mo Massey

EVP, Pacesetter Productions

Honnie Korngold

Producer

Brian Ivie

Producer/Director

Megan Mascena

Producer

DeVon Franklin

Producer

Houston Howard

Producer

Quinton Peeples

Writer/Producer

Sam Curphey

Entertainment Attorney

John Shepherd

Producer

Beverly Holloway

Casting Director

Spencer Folmar

Director/Producer

Nick Moceri

Producer

Michael Feifer

Director/Producer

Terry Botwick

Entertainment Executive

Rich Peluso

EVP, AFFIRM Films

Michael Van Dyck

Producer

Brian Bird

Writer/Producer

Ann Marie Gillen

Producer/Consultant

Donovan Jacobs

Executive/Consultant

Jennifer Irons

Writer/Agent

Charles (Chuck) Slocum

Writer's Guild of America - West

Stacey Carr

Independent Consultant

Dan Lin

Chairman, Netflix Films

Gabe Vasquez

Writer/Producer

Marco Shepherd