How To Build A Career As A Creative Executive

Learn directly from Melissa Daykin Cassill, VP of State Street Pictures (Faster, Beauty Shop, Barbershop, Notorious, Nothing Like The Holidays).

Have you ever wondered how the creative executives at production companies or studios get their jobs? Stage 32 is thrilled to bring you this 2-week online intensive course in which you will learn – directly from the mouth of a working Executive – how you can build your own career as a Creative Executive!

The objectives of this course are:

• To learn the various paths one can take to get a job as a development executive either at a studio or a production company.
• To professionally prepare those who want to enter into the position by arming them with insights and knowledge that would take years to acquire otherwise.

The class is going to cover the different ways someone can become a development executive either at a studio like Miramax or Fox, or at a Production Company like State Street. You will learn what the job is like day-to-day, what an executive is expected to accomplish and ways tasks can be accomplished, and what the different titles from Creative Exec to President actually mean.

You will also learn how to actually get the job: What should you major in? Where should you intern? What sort of assistant jobs should you take? Do you have to be an assistant in the first place?

About Your Teacher, Melissa Daykin Cassill:

Melissa Daykin Cassill is Vice President of State Street Pictures (Faster, Beauty Shop, Barbershop, Notorious, Nothing Like The Holidays) . She began her career at The Firm and Creative Artists Agency where she worked in the Motion Picture Literary Department. She went on to Miramax as a Creative Executive and Gunn Films (Freaky Friday, Race To Witch Mountain) as Vice President. Melissa is excited to be back teaching with Stage 32!

Class Schedule (6/4), (6/11)

Week #1 (6/4):

What is the job and how to get one:

• Education and Internships.
  • What should I major in? Where should I intern?
• Agency Life.
  • Can you skip the CAA/WME/UTA route?
  • Alternatives.
• What is a Creative Executive vs a Director of Development vs a VP?
• Studio vs Production Companies.
  • What are the differences between an exec at State Street and an exec at Sony, Fox or Disney?
• Q&A with Melissa to answer any further questions.

Week #2 (6/11):

Life at Work:

• Working with writers and directors.
• Selling material.
• Pushing material through production.
• Common problems.
  • Ego.
  • Burnout.
  • Time.
  • Who do you work for?
• Q&A with Melissa to answer all remaining questions.

About the Class Format:

Classes take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. You can participate from the comfort of your own home and you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend the live class, you can still participate! Each class will be recorded and Melissa will have designated office hours to work with the class. More information can be found below.