Summary
PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
The surge of television platforms, networks, and streamers in recent years has drastically opened up the world of television content production, spelling good news for aspiring content creators around the world. We’re not just talking Netflix and Amazon; countless other channels and streamers like Tubi, Roku, Snap, and many more are actively building their slates and looking for new content to buy outright. With these opportunities, it’s more than possible to create, sell and be profitable on your own independent TV series. Yet this does not mean it’s easy. Financing and recouping costs for independent television production requires a firm understanding of the constantly changing TV landscape and opportunities available to secure funding.
In this new and quickly developing world of independent television, knowing how to raise money intelligently can make all of the difference and serve as a calling card for you as you carve out your space in this sphere. Simply put, if you understand the strategies and methods to help your investors see a return, you get to keep those investors time and time again. And those investors can, and usually do, bring more investors with them if they're happy. There are many challenges to face throughout this process – some classic and some you might not expect—but but they can all be overcome with the right approach and understanding.
Over twenty-five years and working across three continents, Jeanette Milio she has been involved in the production of over 500 hours of content for film and television, with a total production value of over $250 million, and including Academy Award® winning talent in front of and behind the camera. Recently, Jeanette has focused on the development, financing, and production of television series. She co-created, co-financed and executive produced the beauty competition series GLOBAL BEAUTY MASTERS on TLC and its spin-off series THE LOOK ALL-STARS on The CW. She further managed the renowned dog series TV series and brand DOG WHISPERER WITH CESAR MILLAN, which aired for 9 seasons on the National Geographic Channel and sold in over 180 countries. Jeanette co-created, financed, and produced two seasons for the new series DOG MASTERS, starring Laura Nativo and Alex Rossi, which is being represented by The Gersh Agency for the U.S. and international distribution. Jeanette’s decades working and finding success in the TV industry has given her a unique and unrivaled perspective of how to finance television content and get it sold.
In this advanced level and intensive 4-week class, Jeanette will comprehensively teach you how you can finance your own independent television production. In session 1 she will delve into the independent television industry today and go through who the players are where the opportunities lie. In the next session she will break down how to establish feasibility for your project, including the budget process, creating a finance plan, and how to establish your own viability. Next Jeanette will teach you how to reduce risk by sourcing free money, employing transparent accounting, using profit optimized revenue waterfall and more. Finally, Jeanette will dig into actually selling your project, how to pitch it, and the terms and conditions you need to understand throughout the process.
Along the way, Jeanette will provide in-depth case studies of recent television projects, as well exclusive and valuable handouts that you can take with you for your own series, including:
- Sample Business Plan
- Sales Estimate Sheets
- CAMA Agreements
- Pay or Play Offer Template
- Sample Option Agreement
PRAISE FOR JEANETTE'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION:
"Jeanette's experience really comes through in her mentorship. She has seen it all and is so helpful in guiding you through the complex world of film and tv." -- Letty L.
"I learned so much from Jeanette and highly recommend you work with her!" -- Kaitlin L.
"Jeanette has invaluable knowledge and made me feel like seeing my movie on the big screen was possible." --Phillip F.
What You'll Learn
Session 1: The Independent Television Industry
- The Changing Landscape
- Major Studios vs. Independents
- Who Are the Players Today and What Do They Want?
- From Script to Screen: Story and Packaging
- Distribution Deals Today
- Basics of Film and Television Financing
- Case study 1
- Q&A with Jeanette
You will have an assignment after this session
Session 2: How to Establish Feasibility For Your Own Project
- The Budget Process
- Creating a Feasible Finance Plan
- Valuating Your Project
- Establishing Commercial Viability
- Financial Sources and Terms
- Case study 2
- Q&A with Jeanette
You will have an assignment after this session
Session 3: Reducing Risk
- "Free Money"
- Essential Terms and Conditions
- How to Ensure Transparent Accounting
- Profit Optimized Revenue Waterfall
- Collection Agents
- Completion Bond
- Pitch Deck and Business Plan Elements
- Case study 3
- Q&A with Jeanette
You will have an assignment after this session
Session 4: Pitching, Distribution Agreements, and Essential Terms and Conditions
- Essential Agreements
- Essential Terms and Conditions
- Pitfalls to Avoid
- Pitching your Project
- Q&A with Jeanette
PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
Executive
Jeanette B. Milio is a veteran producer and entertainment finance expert with over 25 years of experience in film and television across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. She has overseen the development and production of more than 50 projects with a combined production volume exceeding $250 million. As CEO of Alliance Cinema, she structures equity investments, debt financing, and content library strategies, with investments supporting productions totaling over $60 million to date.
Her work includes collaborations with Academy Award®-winning talent, and her credits span major studios and platforms such as Paramount, Lionsgate, Sony, Warner Bros., HBO, Showtime, ABC/Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, National Geographic, and others.
Select credits include: “Timeshare” starring Timothy Dalton and Nastassja Kinski (ABC/Disney, Freevee), “13” starring Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Michael Shannon, and 50 Cent (Paramount Vantage/Amazon), “The Experiment” starring Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker (Sony Pictures, Netflix), “Dark Tide” starring Halle Berry (Lionsgate, Amazon, Apple TV), “Global Beauty Masters” (TLC) and its spin-off “The Look: All Stars” (CW Network), “Operation Hidden Treasures” (Discovery Channel, American Heroes Channel), “Dog Whisperer” (National Geographic Channel, Disney+), “Dog Masters”, an original series created and produced by Jim and Jeanette Milio, currently in production and the non-profit documentary series “C-Story”, which is currently in production.
Ms. Milio is the author of “Entertainment Finance Today”, a widely adopted industry guide to financing and distributing media content. She advises producers, lenders, and investors and regularly consults for platforms including Netflix and Amazon Studios on development, finance structuring, and feasibility. She also designs and leads customized finance seminars for funds and media companies, including Netflix and Amazon.
A recipient of the Distinguished Instructor Award at UCLA Extension’s Entertainment Studies Program, she is a frequent speaker at industry events and institutions including Stage32, the Cannes Film Festival, the American Film Market, and others.
In 2025, she and her husband co-founded Perfection In Progress (PIP) Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to producing mission-driven content that fosters empathy, environmental awareness, and social impact.
Testimonials
PRAISE FOR JEANETTE'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION:
"Jeanette has invaluable knowledge and made me feel like seeing my movie on the big screen was possible." --Phillip F.
"Jeanette's experience really comes through in her mentorship. She has seen it all and is so helpful in guiding you through the complex world of film and tv." -- Letty L.
"I learned so much from Jeanette and highly recommend you work with her!" -- Kaitlin L.
Credits
