The entertainment industry is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in content creation, and this boom shows no signs of slowing down. Industry forecasts predict this high level of production activity will persist for at least the next decade. This exciting expansion, however, brings a significant challenge: a critical need for skilled production professionals to fill Entertainment Partners Jobs and various other roles across the sector.
The demand for crew members to support this massive influx of projects is already outpacing the available workforce, leading to a pronounced labor shortage. Producers are openly acknowledging the difficulties, with reports highlighting a “crisis point” in crew availability at all levels. This includes the ongoing struggle to find qualified production accountants, a role crucial to the financial health of any production.
Recognizing this growing skills gap, the EP Academy (/academy/) was established in March 2020 to proactively address this challenge. Kim Weddig-Tejada, Senior Director of Training and Support, explains the academy’s mission: “EP Academy is designed to be the go-to resource for individuals entering the industry, and even for those already working in entertainment, to master essential industry tools in both finance and production technology. It’s also an invaluable platform for anyone looking to launch a successful career in production finance and entertainment partners jobs related to finance.”
Discovering Diverse Entertainment Partners Jobs
Many individuals might not immediately associate “excitement” with “accounting,” but Joseph Chianese (/blog/spotlight-joseph-chianese-film-production-incentives-expert/), SVP & Production Incentives Practice Leader at Entertainment Partners, emphasizes the dynamic nature of production finance. Traditional film schools often don’t heavily focus on production accounting, and specialized programs highlighting these crucial financial roles are scarce.
“For those seeking entry-level entertainment partners jobs, awareness of production accounting careers within the industry is often surprisingly low,” notes Weddig-Tejada. This is particularly true outside of major entertainment hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta. “Many states are now active filming locations, yet local residents are often unaware of the diverse and rewarding entertainment partners jobs and similar roles available right in their own communities!”
EP Academy is actively working to increase awareness of the numerous career paths within production accounting and the broader production finance landscape, demonstrating that finance in entertainment is far from mundane. “Managing budgets and tracking expenditures is central to every production’s success,” Chianese points out. Weddig-Tejada adds, “The entire process is incredibly engaging! You gain firsthand exposure to the magic that makes the movie industry so captivating.”
“You not only learn the specifics of the job but also become proficient in using the essential tools of the trade, making you job-ready for various entertainment partners jobs.”
EP Academy demystifies this “magic” for both newcomers and experienced professionals through two distinct course categories: “We offer ‘career courses’ designed to provide foundational knowledge and ‘product courses’ focused on mastering specific software and technologies,” Weddig-Tejada clarifies.
The career track courses introduce students to the core principles of professions like production accounting (/blog/meet-the-production-accountant/) and payroll clerk (/ep-store/Becoming-Payroll-Clerk/). Conversely, the product courses concentrate on teaching the practical applications of EP’s industry-leading technology solutions, such as Movie Magic Budgeting (/movie-magic-budgeting/) and Movie Magic Scheduling. These course categories are intentionally designed to complement each other. Often, they are combined to provide a comprehensive learning experience. “Crucially, you not only learn the specifics of the job but also become proficient in using the essential tools of the trade, making you job-ready for various entertainment partners jobs and similar roles,” emphasizes Weddig-Tejada.
This hands-on approach is particularly vital in addressing the labor shortage, which is partly fueled by the challenge of effectively training new personnel. The intricate details of production accounting, for example, are not readily found in textbooks or standard academic programs. This specialized knowledge is often held by seasoned professionals who are often too occupied with their current projects to dedicate time to on-the-job training. Furthermore, geographical limitations can hinder aspiring production accountants in locations like Ohio from learning from experienced professionals based in Los Angeles.
This is where EP Academy provides a crucial advantage. As a fully online platform, its e-learning format offers accessibility to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Additional benefits include self-paced learning and access to course materials for up to a year after enrollment. “You have the flexibility to revisit the information as often as needed. It’s not a one-time learning event,” states Tyrone Robinson, Senior Manager of Learning Enablement at Entertainment Partners, a key figure in the EP Academy program’s launch in 2020. “The reference materials are incredibly valuable, especially when you’re actively working on a production. If you need a refresher on a specific step or process, you can easily go back and re-watch the video or consult the documentation.”
Woman using laptop for online entertainment industry job training
Expanding Horizons for Entertainment Partners Jobs through EP Academy
Since its inception, EP Academy has seen over 12,000 students enroll across 20 diverse courses. An impressive 93 percent of these students have reported satisfaction with their learning experience and expressed increased confidence in applying their newly acquired skills to advance their careers in entertainment partners jobs and related fields. Kim, Tyrone, and the dedicated training team are continuously expanding the academy’s offerings. Over 20 new courses are currently in development, including specialized classes covering various payroll roles and functions, advanced training on additional tools within the EP suite of digital solutions, and much more. These expansions aim to provide even more specialized pathways into entertainment partners jobs.
“My vision is for EP Academy to evolve into a leading trade school for these specialized entertainment industry fields that are not typically taught in traditional academic settings,” Weddig-Tejada shares. Potential collaborations with educational institutions, industry job fairs, and major studios could further propel EP Academy towards its ultimate goal: “We are committed to supporting both studios and individuals by providing a clear pathway into the film industry and entertainment partners jobs, which is incredibly exciting! Our aim is to cultivate a larger, more readily available talent pool for studios to draw from when hiring.”
Take the First Step Towards Entertainment Partners Jobs with EP Academy Courses
Ready to explore the opportunities that EP Academy offers? Browse our comprehensive list of available courses today.
Whether you are looking to advance your existing career or acquire new skills to enter the entertainment industry, EP Academy provides industry-leading courses to help you achieve your professional goals and secure rewarding entertainment partners jobs. Visit the Academy, select the courses that align with your career aspirations, and take the next exciting step in your journey today!
