In a freelance-driven industry where projects move fast and mistakes can cost thousands, film and television payroll is a career that demands accuracy, experience, and up-to-date knowledge. But until recently, the entertainment industry had no standardized path for learning those skills.

The FTV Graduate Program is changing that.

Developed by union labor and payroll expert Stephanie Henderson, the FTV Graduate Program is a comprehensive, self-paced training platform designed to make entertainment payroll education accessible to freelancers and industry professionals nationwide. Whether you're new to union payroll or a seasoned production accountant catching up on recent contract changes, this program is built to meet you where you are and help you move forward.

Training That Opens Doors

The FTV Graduate Program was created to help freelancers gain the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in union-covered payroll roles. Many working professionals in the field never receive formal training. They learn by trial and error, often without a full understanding of how union contracts, fringe benefits, or pension audits really work. That’s a risk for the production and for the professional.

This program solves that problem by offering clear, contract-based instruction on the foundations of union payroll, the structure of entertainment unions, how to process payroll under collective bargaining agreements, and how to manage compliance across multiple locals and crew types.

Every course is built with real industry experience behind it. Stephanie Henderson, who spent years managing union labor relations and payroll compliance in the motion picture industry, developed the curriculum to reflect the actual knowledge professionals need to do the job well. The result is a training platform that offers both clarity and depth, helping learners build long-term skills they can use from one show to the next.

Accessible Learning for Freelancers

Freelancers are the backbone of entertainment payroll, but they often face barriers to professional development. Classes are too expensive, too general, or unavailable between projects. The FTV Graduate Program was designed with this in mind.

The program is entirely online and self-paced, making it accessible to professionals in any region, on any schedule. You don’t need to wait for a studio to fund your training or be staffed on a show to start learning. You can take courses between productions, during hiatus periods, or even while working, so your skills keep growing as your career progresses.

And because the curriculum is rooted in real entertainment union standards, it’s directly applicable to union-covered productions in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and every production hub in between.

Start with the Basics and Build Up

At its foundation, the FTV Graduate Program helps learners understand the basics of entertainment payroll and union structure. The program’s introductory courses cover:

• Union Payroll Processing: How to properly process pay under union agreements, including wage minimums, penalties, and fringe obligations.
• Understanding Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs): How to read and apply contract provisions around working conditions, rest periods, and wage classifications.
• Entertainment Union Overview: A deep dive into the structure and scope of unions like IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, DGA, and WGA, and how their contracts affect payroll decisions.

These courses are designed for learners who may have no prior experience in union payroll and offer clear, practical steps for building confidence and technical skill.

Specialized Deep Dives for Experienced Professionals

For those already working in the industry, the program also offers more advanced modules focused on critical compliance topics. One of the most in-demand is the MPIP Employer Contributions Course, which walks learners through the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans. This course focuses on:

• Understanding the structure of MPIP and how contributions are calculated
• Identifying common reporting errors that can trigger audit findings
• Reviewing sample payroll reports to ensure accurate IAP and fringe submissions

Another key topic is Low Budget Theatrical Payroll, where professionals learn how the IATSE Low Budget Theatrical Agreement terms apply to productions under $15-Million. This course breaks down the wage tiers, reporting requirements, and benefit obligations unique to low budget productions, making it especially useful for those working on independent features.

Stay Current with 2024 MOA Updates

The 2024 IATSE Memoranda of Agreement introduced important changes to wage scales, rest period rules, benefit fund contributions, and penalties across several locals. Staying current with these changes is essential for accurate payroll processing.

The FTV Graduate Program includes up-to-date modules that help learners understand the 2024 MOA changes and how they affect productions. These lessons are written in accessible language and focus on real-world application, ensuring that learners can make informed decisions and avoid costly compliance errors.

Career Advancement Through Knowledge

In a freelance-heavy and increasingly competitive industry, formal training is no longer optional; it is essential. Productions are moving faster, budgets are tighter, and expectations for payroll accuracy and union compliance are higher than ever. Yet most payroll professionals enter the field without structured education or a clear path to advancement.

The FTV Graduate Program fills that gap. It provides the formal training that today’s contracting industry demands, equipping learners with verified, up-to-date knowledge they can rely on. Whether you’re a new payroll clerk building foundational skills or an experienced accountant looking to step into a department head role, this program offers the technical grounding and professional confidence needed to grow.

Start Learning Today

The FTV Graduate Program is more than just training. It is a tool for building confidence, improving job performance, and opening doors in a competitive and evolving industry.

If you’re ready to expand your skills and take control of your professional growth, explore the FTV Graduate Program and start building payroll skills that last.

View the course catalog and enroll today.