As Film Commissioner for Columbus, Ohio and the Central Ohio area, I am proud to announce our new partnership between Stage 32 Certification and Film Columbus, which will offer Stage 32’s world-class, industry-endorsed film & TV crew training programs directly to our city’s creative community. This collaboration comes at a pivotal time for Columbus as our film and content media scene continue to grow. Before 2026 even starts, we already have FOUR series and a feature in the production queue for Q1-Q2. This growth has been fueled by the now rolling state incentive and Ohio’s only local incentive, the Columbus Motion Picture Incentive (CMPI).

Stage 32 Certification offers high-level, practical training built for both emerging talent and established film professionals, providing hands-on skills that today’s productions need. Columbus is already recognized for our talented filmmakers, unique landscapes and locations, and a welcoming production environment. By joining forces with Stage 32, we can further empower local creators to work not only on projects here in Ohio, but to compete for opportunities on a global stage.

Stage 32’s online certification courses, led by celebrated professionals from across the industry who have worked on the biggest films & TV shows, are accessible to anyone passionate about film or TV. World-renowned DP Carmen Cabana recently led a Stage 32 class after we had her in Columbus to teach our own workshop. Whether you’re an aspiring student or a veteran crew member looking to upskill, Stage 32’s curriculum helps build both the confidence and technical expertise essential for success in today’s fast-evolving market.

Some of the direct benefits for Columbus filmmakers include:

• Practical & Essential Skills: Training covers crucial roles such as production accounting, assistant directing, and location management, building a workforce that’s ready for real set challenges.
• Career Advancement: With Stage 32 Certification, Columbus filmmakers will enjoy credentials respected around the world, making it easier to win jobs on local, national, and international productions.
• Global Recognition: After certification, you’ll be listed in an international database, opening doors for Columbus crew and artists to be discovered by productions worldwide.

Professional development is at the core of Film Columbus’s mission: advocating for the industry, convening the community, and empowering professionals and the individuals who drive this industry to succeed.

Offering Stage 32 Certification means giving creators the ability to level up, whether their ambitions are indie features, series, or major studio projects. These courses are a gateway to real-world skills, career mobility, and confidence.

At Film Columbus, we are dedicated to providing opportunity, fostering growth, and connecting our creative community to the world. This partnership with Stage 32 Certification is yet another bold step as we champion Columbus as a leading destination for filmmakers and storytellers everywhere. Let’s keep Columbus’s film future bright, ambitious, and unstoppable.

What has been filmed in Columbus?

Columbus, Ohio has provided the setting for a variety of notable films and television productions, reflecting its versatility and Midwest appeal. Major movies like “Traffic” (2000), winner of four Oscars, filmed key scenes at the Ohio Statehouse and around downtown, solidifying Columbus as a cinematic location for nationally recognized works. “Air Force One” (1997), starring Harrison Ford, featured Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base as a stand-in for Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The comedy-drama “Teachers” (1984), starring Nick Nolte, used the old Central High School, now the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), as a primary set. More recent productions, such as “I Am Wrath” (2016) with John Travolta, “Aftermath” (2017) with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and “First Kill” (2017) with Bruce Willis, spotlighted local landmarks including Capitol Square, Buckeye Donuts, and the Short North district. The coming-of-age film “Little Man Tate” (1991) employed Ohio State University’s Wexner Center and other collegiate locations, while the Lifetime adaptation “Speak” (2004), with a young Kristen Stewart, used Eastmoor Academy for filming. “Bones and All” (2022) also included scenes shot in and around Columbus. Plus, the indie Tribeca darling “Poser” (2021) and the series “Redemption” (2025), highlighting the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes football team, were produced and filmed in Columbus. The city continues to attract independent and studio productions, as well as animation features and series, contributing to its growing reputation in the film and television industry.

The Two Types of Stage 32 Certification

Master Certifications: These are a group of courses that make up a master's knowledge of a particular discipline. You will need to take all of the courses in a Master Certification track and pass a test in each course in order to be Master Certified.

Current Master Certifications Include:

• Production Accounting Master Certification
• TV Production Management Master Certification
• Feature Film Production Management Master Certification
• Line Producing Master Certification
• Producer Key Legal Agreements Master Certification
• Script Supervising Master Certification
• Location Management Master Certification
• Production Coordinator Master Certification
• Production Assistant Master Certification
• Assistant Director Master Certification
• Post-Production Supervision Master Certification

Individual Certifications: These are individual courses that focus on a particular skill set, in which you will watch the course and then be tested at the end to receive your certificate.

Current Individual Certifications Include:

• Budget Creation
• Production Scheduling
• Call Sheets
• Production Accounting 101
• Payroll Accounting and Management for Film & TV
• Cost Reporting
• US Tax Incentive Management
• Script Supervision 101
• Script Supervision: Script Timing & Page Breakdown
• Script Supervision: Continuity Breakdown
• Script Supervision: Script Notes & Lined Script Pages
• Script Supervision: On Set Continuity
• Script Supervision: Progress Reports & Work Flow
• Production Wrap Deliverables
• Final Delivery Elements Of A TV Show
• Final Delivery Elements Of A Feature Film
• Option/Purchase/Shopping Agreements
• Feature Film Financing Agreements
• Investor Agreements
• International Co-Production Agreements
• Crew Agreements
• Talent Agreements
• Distribution & Sales Agency Agreements
• Fundamentals Of Location Management
• Location Scouting
• Location Management: Budgeting & Scheduling
• Location Management: Contracts, Risk Management & Negotiating
• The Fundamentals of Production Coordinating
• Production Coordinator: Logistics
• Fundamentals Of Production Assisting
• Production Assistant: On Set Protocols
• Production Assistant: Paperwork & Department Interaction
• Fundamentals Of Assistant Directing
• Assistant Director Scheduling
• First Assistant Director On Set Protocols
• Key 2nd Assistant Director Protocols & Call Sheets
• 2nd 2nd Assistant Director Protocols
• Fundamentals of Post-Production Supervision
• Post-Production Supervisor Protocols for a TV Series
• Post-Production Supervisor Protocols for a Feature Film
• Post-Production Supervisor Scheduling & Budgeting
• Post-Production Coordinator & Production Assistant Protocols

What Happens After You Get Certified?

Once you complete a Stage 32 Certification, you will:

• Be included in a global database searchable by industry professionals, film commissions, and studios.
• Receive a certification badge on your Stage 32 profile, which is visible to over 1.3 million members worldwide.
• Gain credentials to display on your social media, resume, and LinkedIn profile.
• Be recognized as a qualified industry professional, making it easier for you to get hired and advance your career.

Get Certified. Get To Work. Start By Clicking Here!

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