Official educational partner of the ERoss School of Film & TV
TIRANA TRAINING CENTER
Created in partnership with the Albanian Prime Minister's Office & the Ministry of Economics, Culture and Innovation
WELCOME TO CATALYST!
Storytelling is our global cultural currency. It's how we learn, connect, inspire, and shape the world around us. You've come to Catalyst because you have stories to share, and we want to help you bring them to life.
THE TRUTH ABOUT MAKING FILM & TV
Creating a sustainable career in the visual storytelling arts (aka, film & TV) has no set path to success; everyone's journey is unique. It takes a team of people to create each film & TV project so producing your story is as much about who YOU are as a person as it is about the story you're telling. The key to success in this industry is based on building a trusted network of collaborators, and Catalyst is where these relationships are made. Our participants have gained jobs, signed with agents, sold projects, and made careers.
THE ULTIMATE GOAL: A SUSTAINABLE CAREER
Catalyst courses are unique because we focus on the full cycle of what it takes for you to have a long-term sustainable career in our industry. Our Storieroad program is a step-by-step pathway of meetings, workshops, seminars, festivals, and events designed to help you achieve this goal. The elements we focus on are:
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Wellness
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Housing
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Time
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Inspiration
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Education
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Financing
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Production
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Distribution
Through Catalyst, you will have the opportunity to showcase your stories, advance your career, learn new skills, and grow your professional network. We are your safe starting point and a trusted guide along the way.
Let's begin:
THE FILM/TV
CAREER CYCLE
COURSE OPTIONS
Our Tirana campus is a first-of-its-kind training program that brings both the artistic elements (aka, above-the-line jobs) and the technical elements (aka, below-the-line jobs) of a video production together in one location. At this campus, we offer training for over 185 different types of production jobs. Pick the career paths that are most interesting to you and begin your journey today!
WHO CAN REGISTER
Everyone is welcome, ages 7 and older. You do not need any previous experience to join most classes.
EXPERIENCE LEVELS & AGE GROUPS
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Kids: ages 7-11. No experience required.
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Youth: ages 12-16. No experience required.
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Explore: ages 17+. No experience required. For beginners.
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Advanced: ages 17+. Some experience required. For those interested in a long-term career.
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Professional: ages 17+. For working professionals only.
TYPES OF COURSES
Catalyst is not a traditional film school because we offer courses that focus on both the creative/artistic process AND the physical production process. You can choose from the following course topics for TV & film:
ENROLLMENT DATES
Enrollment is currently open for all courses. You do not need to take all courses. You can pick and choose only the courses that are interesting to you. Click on a course for more details about dates, times, location and topics.
CLASS TEACHERS
Catalyst teachers are mix of local, European, and American industry professionals with decades of experience working for major networks such as HBO and Netflix, as well as other studios and independent projects.
INSTITUTE REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
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Access to in-person classes & events in Tirana, Albania
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Access to our virtual library of over 100+ educational seminars
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Access to all virtual events in the United States
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Your career profile & project info listed in our global content database for use in future job hiring
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Potential inclusion in our production lab program where a teams of Albanian storytellers will produce projects to be screened at events and festivals in Albania and the United States
COST
€20-€50 per class (€200-€500 per full semester) depending on the course. Most courses have at least 10 classes. See individual class page for specific details.
LOCATION
In-person classes at our campus in Tirana, Albania.
CAMPUS SCHEDULE
The Tirana training center is open Monday-Saturday from 11am-9pm most days. Campus is open during the months of January-June and from August-November. Campus is closed during the months of July and December, on Sundays, and on major holidays.
CLASS LENGTH
Each class has a different schedule. Class length ranges between 1.5 - 3 hours per class depending on the topic. Most classes meet twice per week. Please click on the individual course to view the specific details.
LANGUAGE
All classes are taught in English. This includes all scripts, communications, and interpretations.
VIDEO RECORDING
Classes are not recorded for later use.
OUR ALBANIA STAFF
Please note: This is our operations staff, not the teaching staff. To view the course teachers, please visit the individual course pages for details.
Pamela Cederquist
Pamela is a multitalented writer/director who has written for Mindhunter (Netflix) and been an assistant director on Law & Order (NBC), among many other projects in her 50+ year career.
Skilled in theatre, film production, and television, Pamela graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film in New York & studied at Polakov School of Design.
She now loves living in Tirana and is excited to work with Albania's upcoming generation of TV and film storytellers.
Ana Veseli
Ana Veseli is an Albanian film director and producer. Her passion for filmmaking blossomed at a young age when she was part of the young jury at the Rozafa Film Festival 2013 when she was just 16 years old.
Ana graduated from the Academy of Film and Multimedia Marubi, where she studied film directing and editing. She has worked extensively in the industry since her student days, contributing to films, animations, documentaries, commercials, and TV shows for Albania's top networks.
One of Ana’s standout works is her short film "I Am Eva," which explores women's perspectives and issues they face in the modern society. She was also awarded "Best Cinematography" at the 48 Hours Film Festival Tirana in 2020 for the one-shot film "The Last Minutes."
In addition to her filmmaking achievements, Veseli has gained valuable experience working with young people on various projects, bringing a unique perspective to her work.
Lidion Kulla
Lidion Kulla is a journalist, author, and anchor man at Scan TV in Albania. With 18 years of experience in the media industry, he has built a reputation for insightful reporting, compelling storytelling, and authoritative anchoring. His work reflects a deep commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content to his audience.
Philip Gilpin, Jr.
Born in Boston, MA, Philip started his 20+ year creative career exploring theatre & film while earning his BS in Physics and Mathematics at Boston College.
Philip moved to Los Angeles and learned the inner workings of the industry as a business affairs analyst at HBO where he worked with on major series including “The Sopranos”, “Sex and the City”, and “The Wire”.
Philip has also served on the Board of Governors of the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences.
Ina Majko
Ina Majko is a passionate communication expert with a knack for storytelling and a sharp eye for impactful advertising. With over four years of experience driving creative campaigns at top ad agencies, she’s honed her skills across TV, radio, and digital platforms, bringing brands to life in meaningful ways.
As the host of Proud Roma on Radio Tirana, Ina uses compelling narratives to connect with a broad audience and foster understanding. A graduate of Central European University, she blends strategic thinking with creative flair, helping businesses and entrepreneurs shape messages that resonate and leave a lasting impression.
Lueda Alia
Lueda is a creative producer who combines art and psychology to help individuals find and express their voices. This approach underscores her belief in the power of imagination as a tool for personal development. Lueda helped introduce music streaming to the public in the mid 2000's in an effort to enhance the connection between artists and their audiences. Her success led to the creation of the multi-media platform Made of Chalk, including the acclaimed Chalk TV studio in Chicago for video productions that were featured on NBC, MTV, AV Club, The Onion, and Exclaim!.
Other noteworthy collaborations include Rashida Jones on "Hot Girls Wanted," Mark Webber on "The Ever After," and Sun Glitters' film "It Will Be Forever." As a creative mentor, Lueda continues to work with award-winning talents like Arnor Dan, Ayishat Akanbi, and Matthew Daniel Siskin. Her dedication to storytelling and nurturing artistic voices remains at the forefront of her impactful career.