As the film and television industry continues to evolve, one thing has become increasingly clear: this is no longer a centralized business. The future of entertainment is global, and Stage 32 is leading the charge in preparing the worldwide workforce that will shape it.

For over a decade, Stage 32 has been the worldwide leader in entertainment industry education, serving creatives in more than 190 countries. Through partnerships with top-tier industry players like Netflix, the Cannes Film Festival Marché du Film, the American Film Market (AFM), and more than 40 film commissions worldwide, Stage 32 continues to make education, opportunity, and career advancement more accessible than ever before.

The expansion of international production has exploded in regions like South Africa. But with that boom comes a critical challenge: ensuring a qualified, local workforce is ready to meet the demands of professional, large-scale production. Stage 32 has become a trusted partner to film commissions, production companies, and international creatives looking to solve this issue through training and education.

A Word From Our Partner at IPO

“On behalf of the Independent Producers Organization (IPO) in South Africa, I am absolutely delighted to extend a heartfelt thank you to David Zannoni and Sam Sokolow from Stage 32 certification for hosting our recent webinar about Stage 32 Certification for our IPO members.

There is genuine excitement within our community about the possibilities that Stage 32 Certification brings to South African producers and crew. The practical, industry-recognized training offered by Stage 32 is a game-changer for our members, breaking down barriers to international-standard skills and empowering local talent to work locally and to compete and collaborate on a global scale.

We are especially grateful for the way the session was tailored to address the unique needs and ambitions of South African filmmakers. By making world-class film production training more accessible, you are helping us build a stronger, more competitive industry, one that is ready to take on opportunities both at home and abroad.

On behalf of the IPO, thank you for your commitment to our growth and for inspiring our members to invest in their professional development through Stage 32 Certification. We look forward to deepening our collaboration and seeing the incredible impact this partnership will have on the future of South African film and television.”- Ayanda Sibisi, Acting Executive Director of IPO

Check out the full webinar by clicking on the video below!

What Has Filmed In South Africa?

South Africa has become a prime destination for international film and television productions, thanks to its diverse landscapes. Notable movies filmed in South Africa include Avengers: Age of Ultron, which featured explosive scenes in Johannesburg’s CBD; Mad Max: Fury Road, with key desert sequences shot in the Northern Cape; and Safe House, starring Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington, which made dynamic use of Cape Town’s urban settings.

Other major films include Bloodshot with Vin Diesel, Tomb Raider starring Alicia Vikander, District 9, the Oscar-nominated sci-fi hit set and filmed in Johannesburg, and Clint Eastwood’s Invictus, which brought the story of South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup victory to the big screen. TV shows have also made their mark, with Black Mirror (Season 6’s “Demon 79”), Outlander (Season 3), and Netflix’s One Piece all utilizing South Africa’s unique locations and studios to double for a wide range of international and fantastical settings.

Global Education and Training Are Powering the Future of Film Production

Millions of aspiring professionals want to work in production, but don’t know how to break in beyond unpaid internships or outdated, expensive film school routes. Traditional film schools often fail to teach the below-the-line skills most in demand. Worse, students are graduating with staggering debt and no clear job path forward.

That’s where Stage 32 Certification comes in; a modern solution to a global industry problem. At a fraction of the cost of traditional film school, Stage 32 offers online certification programs designed to get people working, fast. Taught by world-class professionals who’ve worked on top-tier film and TV productions, these courses focus on real-world, below-the-line skills that are in immediate demand across global sets.

A key innovation of Stage 32 Certification is its global database of certified professionals. All those who are certified are automatically entered into a searchable portal accessible by film commissions, streamers, and production companies, making it easier than ever for employers to find qualified crew for projects in any region. This not only increases job opportunities for individuals but also helps film commissions maximize the value of their production incentives by ensuring a steady supply of skilled local talent.

Ultimately, Stage 32 Certification is democratizing film education and workforce development, breaking down barriers of cost, geography, and access. Stage 32 is helping to build sustainable, thriving film industries in every corner of the globe, one certified professional at a time.

The Two Types of Stage 32 Certification

Master Certifications: Master Certifications are comprehensive tracks that include multiple courses covering a full mastery of a particular discipline. To earn a Master Certification, you must complete all required courses in the track and pass an exam for each.

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: Individual Certifications are focused single-course certifications on specialized skills. After completing the course, you will be tested and receive an official Stage 32 certification badge upon passing.

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 & Workflow
• 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 1.2 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.

More About The Film Commission & Production Company Database:

All course graduates - whether you are individually certified or master certified - will be listed in a database accessible by regional film commissions and production companies hiring in the hundreds of fast-growing production hotspots around the world.

We are currently working with over 40 film commissions across the United States and internationally, including recent partnerships in Costa Rica, Poland, Croatia, South Africa, Uganda, Canada, Hungary, Jamaica, Austria, and the Middle East. In the United States alone, Stage 32 has delivered training opportunities in states like Florida, Georgia, Utah, Texas, Louisiana, Oregon, and Nevada. These collaborations are designed to meet the unique needs of each region’s film industry, training local talent in essential below-the-line roles such as production accounting, location management, and production assisting.

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

If you have any questions about Certification, please email our Head of Certification, Sam Sokolow, directly at Certification@Stage32.com.

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