Across the country, learners are eager to engage in creative careers—driving a growing demand for schools to expand their resources, staffing, and infrastructure to offer comprehensive, industry-aligned film and media arts education. Whether launching a new program or building on an existing one, the INDSTRY Learning Studio is designed to help schools deliver high-quality, career-connected learning in film, television, and digital media.

Launched in Los Angeles through collaboration with major studios, working film professionals, media production unions, and film educators, an industry-informed INDSTRY brings a classroom-ready film and media arts experience to high schools. Designed as a turnkey Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway, the INDSTRY Learning Studio empowers schools to launch new programs or enhance existing ones in film, television, and digital media—even without a dedicated film teacher or specialized equipment.

INDSTRY builds on the foundation of the Roybal Film and Television Production Magnet, a specialized high school in Los Angeles founded by George Clooney, CAA’s Bryan Lourd, and a coalition of major studios, including Amazon, Disney, Netflix, Paramount, and NBCUniversal, and others. Created to expand access to film and television careers, INDSTRY brings this vision to classrooms across the country, offering schools a practical, scalable way to prepare learners for careers in media and entertainment.

The program offers a professionally produced, standards-aligned curriculum that immerses learners in core disciplines, including cinematography, editing, sound, production, animation, screenwriting, and more. Each module combines high-quality video instruction, real-world projects, and professional workflows, giving learners hands-on experience and a portfolio of creative work. 

Participating districts gain access to a powerful suite of tools and experiences designed to support both learners and educators:

• CTE-Aligned Curriculum—in filmmaking and digital media, developed in collaboration with union professionals, industry leaders, and experienced educators. Content is mapped to state-level CTE standards within the Arts, Entertainment, & Design Career Clusters^®. 
• A purpose-built learning platform designed specifically for media arts instruction—combining curriculum delivery, peer collaboration, media asset management, and asynchronous project feedback—all in one seamless environment. Top film schools like NYU Tisch trust the same platform to deliver high-quality, project-based instruction.
• An A-list Hollywood Speaker Series featuring working professionals from across the entertainment industry—directors, editors, producers, and more—who offer behind-the-scenes insights and inspiration through regularly scheduled virtual guest sessions.
• An annual Entertainment Career Summit, hosted on a major Hollywood studio lot, gives participating CTE leaders and educators exclusive access to industry insiders, career panels, and hands-on experiences—all designed to connect the classroom to real-world careers in film, television, and digital media.
• Professional development for media educators, including virtual training sessions, implementation support, and resources tailored for both new and experienced teachers.
  

Currently deployed at Motion Picture Technical High School in Queens, NY—INDSTRY has been fully approved for student use across the New York City Department of Education and is preparing for expansion into additional districts in Fall 2025.

How State CTE Leaders Can Use The INDSTRY Learning Studio

INDSTRY is designed for state-level scale and can support Career Clusters® such as Arts, Entertainment, & Design, or Digital Technology. Whether used to launch new programs in under-resourced schools or strengthen existing offerings, it provides a high-quality, accessible pathway to in-demand creative careers.

CTE leaders can use INDSTRY to:

• Expand access to high-quality media arts programs across schools and regions—including those without existing film or digital media infrastructure.
• Deliver real-world, career-connected learning experiences without the need for specialized staff, expensive gear, or traditional production facilities.
• Equip learners with industry-informed, portfolio-based projects that align with CTE standards and prepare students for postsecondary education and in-demand careers.
• Ensure consistent, scalable program delivery through a unified, cloud-based platform—enabling implementation across classrooms, schools, and entire districts with fidelity and flexibility.

For a closer look, explore this short overview presentation.

As student interest in film & video production, storytelling, and digital content creation continues to grow, INDSTRY offers a future-ready pathway into one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich sectors of the creative economy—preparing learners for high-skill, high-wage careers in the entertainment and digital media industries. 

To learn more or explore implementation, visit us at the Spring Meeting or reach out directly. 

Daniel Blackman
CEO Smashcut
[email protected]

Smashcut is an online learning platform and media content studio specializing in film and digital media education. As the curriculum and platform partner for INDSTRY, Smashcut is proud to lead the development of the INDSTRY Learning Studio—designing curriculum, producing media, and supporting implementation in classrooms across the country.