Launchpad FAQ

Do you accept international students?

Yes! Anyone is welcome to apply to the program so long as they meet the pre-requisites listed. We adjust our content based on the participants enrolled in each class.

How much does the Launchpad cost?

We haven’t listed a suggested price. For every Phase of our program, applicants are invited to make an investment offer that is sustainable for them. This way, finances do not have to be a barrier for an aspiring intimacy professional. Folks can also offer energy exchange as another way to compensate PIP for training.

I can’t afford to pitch anything for training. Can I still apply?

Yes! Our program is meant to be as accessible as possible. You can apply and supplement your offer with energy exchange hours or another trade, or you can ask for letters of support for grant funding. If you cannot afford to offer a monetary investment, please let us know in your application and consider applying for a bursary.

What is energy exchange?

Energy exchange is an additional way a student can “pay” for their training. These hours can be put toward administration support, social media, translation, resource curation/creation, or whatever the student would like to offer PIP.

If I offer more, will I have a higher chance of acceptance? Or vice-versa?

No. Applicants are considered based on whether they meet the pre-requisites, whether they’d be a good fit within the cohort, national and international equitability, and general class availability. Your investment pitch is not considered when selecting successful applicants.

What is considered when accepting students into the program?

Applicants are considered based on whether they meet the pre-requisites, whether they’d be a good fit within the respective cohort, national and international equitability, and general class availability. We can only accept a certain number of folks from each community, both nationally and internationally, and every Phase has a specific class cap. If you are not accepted into a Phase, you are more than welcome to reapply or have your application on file for future intakes.

Where can I take the required pre-requisite training?

Check out this resource for training programs you can take to satisfy SAG-AFTRA’s IC Registry re-requisites. This is not an exhaustive resource.

I have a budget for all four Phases. How could I split that up across each Phase?

It is completely up to you, but if it helps, our content can be broken down as such: 45% Phase One, 20% Phase Two, 25% Phase Three, 10% Phase Four.

How long is Phase Three: Mentorship?

Expect mentorship to be at least six months. It will also be dependant on each students’ goals, project availability, and whether the student or their mentor has to travel. After six months, the mentee will be assessed and either will be recommended to move onto Phase 4, or recommended to take another cycle of Phase Three.

The purpose of mentorship is to provide an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to the practicum in a supervised manner. It is still a part of the education process. Mentorship supports students entering the field when they graduate with experience, which will benefit them in interviews and job searches, as they can say they have already worked "in the field." Mentorship is not a “springboard” into the industry.

The mentorship slowly steps the mentee into different levels of responsibility, unlike traditional training in which you finish the theory and are subject to the business with little support. We have found the old model to be non-beneficial and potentially harmful to the industry and the IP.

Why does Phase Three have a Do-Not-Compete Clause?

PIP has spent several years fostering our relationships in the community, which allows us to bring mentees on board and provide training opportunities. This honours our time and energy in cultivating these relationships. This doesn't mean you can’t work on a specific project should you be requested or the right fit. It only means those contracts will go through PIP.

How do I become certified?

Students must have the additional training laid out by SAG-AFTRA. They also need to successfully complete all Phases, including any supplemental courses recommended to the student by their respective mentors. Phase Four consists of a review of all training and experience before final certification is granted.

Will I be certified to work in both theatre and film?

Dual certification takes more time than certifying in one stream or the other. Regardless, our courses cover both streams and mentorship would need to adequately cover both film and theatre projects. It is recommended students focus on one stream to start, and to expect a longer mentorship phase if dual certification is your goal.

I have already taken some intimacy training. Can I skip a Phase?

That is determined on a case-by-case basis. Each Phase informs and leads into the next. Every organisation is different, and every program is different. Certain units taught by our program in Phase One may not be offered until further on in a program with another organisation. We can review your CV, training, and assess together whether joining us further in the program will offer you what you’re looking for.

I already have a bunch of training, but I’m looking for some more info on a specific topic. Do you offer public workshops on specific topics?

We offer workshops and training based on demand. If you’re looking for a certain workshop or one-on-one consultation about a specific topic, please let us know! If there’s enough interest, then we can look into offering a full workshop, or we can look into one-on-one consultations.