IPG Programs

The IPG works in many directions to improve the industry as a whole and for individual producers. Some of these are:

  • Producing Unique New Creators (PUNC). One of the challenges for the rising set of new creators is access. Film schools and film or media programs filter for those who have access to financial resources to learn about film making; Also, while they expose people to some processes and the art of motion pictures, they can do little or nothing to prepare someone for the realities of this very tough industry. And despite everything, the industry remains a closed shop. Talented and important new voices often never get an opportunity to acquire the valuable skills and contacts they need. No one will give them a chance. The PUNC program seeks out talented, capable people with original voices, and gives them a start. PUNC is run through Stage And Screen Innovations, a 501(c)(3) overseen by the IPG.

  • Virtual Theatrical (VT). The Virtual Theatrical initiative is advancing across new frontiers in film and theatre production. VT reaches audiences where and in the way they prefer to consume their entertainment and art media. VT brings together emerging tech with original narratives, for live and streaming audiences. This new format is immersive for a live audience, interactive for a streaming audience. Virtual Theatrical is developed and administered by Stage And Screen Innovations, a 501(c)(3) overseen by the IPG.

  • Producer Groups. In 2025, the IPG is creating genre and format specific Producers Groups. These are groups where Members who work in a specific area of creation, such as horror or documentary, can meet, exchange ideas, explore the latest trends, and newtork with both established industry and public audience participants. The first group launching is titled HORRORxSCIFI. HORRORxSCIFI will welcome producers, directors, writer and audience to attend meetings and events related to the horror, science fiction, thriller and fantasy genres, and is chaired by IPG member and horror writer/director Diamond Monique Washington IPG, who is the Artistic Director of Stage And Screen Innovations.

  • IPG Members Handbook. The IPG published the first ever professional producing handbook containing best practices and ethical guidance in August, 2022. It has provided valuable guidance to hundreds of independent filmmakers. A revised and greatly expanded edition will be released in the spring of 2025. The new edition will contain production checklists for various production types and formats, contract templates and more, which will be available to all IPG members.

  • Industry Services, Seminars & Workshops. IPG members receive deep discounts on the PUNC curriculum referred to above, and on seminars and services offered to the independent creative community through this IPG site. Seminars and workshops begin in late February 2025.

  • FilmPods. The IPG has been working on methods to help independent producers reach global audiences, without paying gatekeepers or middle-actors who do not add value to their bottom line. The Direct To Audience Initiative (DTA) was created with the understanding that there is no longer serious technological obstacle to you delivering your product to any viewer, at any place on the planet. There are, however, legal, financial and industry obstacles which make it a challenge. Through the DTA, the Guild has developed the FilmPod - a set of tools which all the independent creator to deliver, stream, market and monetize to the world. The FilmPod structure is in in preparation now. Your FilmPod will help you fund, distribute, promote and profit from your production, while going around gatekeepers.

  • Pension, Health & Retirement Plans. An ongoing initiative of the Guild is the development of pension, health and retirement plans for independent producers. Normally, for union cast and crew, this is offered through employment, including those provided by union P&H arrangements contained in collective agreements. However, producers employed by studios are management, and independent producers are entrepreneurs. Neither can avail themselves of collective bargaining. However, there are programs and insurance arrangements which could be created to address these important issues. The broad geographical nature of the independent producing community makes the development of a comprehensive solution very challenging. However, the IPG is working on it, and we invite our Members to take part in that dialog and development.