Happy Sunday, Creative Army!

Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in.

First up, this incredible video essay from Frame Voyager: They Built an Entire World Inside a Studio. In 2004, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events committed almost entirely to practical sets at a time when Hollywood was rapidly shifting toward digital filmmaking. Production designer Rick Heinrichs and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki built everything by hand, from crooked mansions to storm-lashed lakes, even converting a NASA facility into a massive water tank set.

What makes this story so fascinating is the timing. The early 2000s marked the tail end of Hollywood’s golden age of practical world-building. Digital opened up incredible possibilities, but there’s something special about the tactile nature of sets you could walk into, touch, and light with absolute intention. Heinrichs, drawing on his collaborations with Tim Burton, leaned into German Expressionism, gothic architecture, and Edward Gorey, inspired surrealism to build a world that wasn’t just visually “cool,” but emotionally honest.

That’s the takeaway for us as creatives: technology will always change, but craft is about choices. Whether you lean on digital tools or practical methods, the question should always be—what makes this story tick?

Now, let’s pivot to a question I was asked during my recent Stage 32 Ask Me Anything: “Is Disney looking for material?”

Here’s the truth: Disney is buying, but you’re not just walking in the front door with a pitch. You need someone to walk you in: a rep, a producer with a deal, or an executive they already work with. That’s the path. And yes, they’re leaning on their library while also developing new material, but everything comes down to access and fit.

This is where Stage 32 can help. You can:

• Email our Success Team (Success@Stage32.com) and ask if any executives or reps on Stage 32 are looking for material that might be right for a specific platform or company that you're targeting.
• Explore Stage 32 Pitch Sessions and Executive Consultations to get in the room (virtually) with execs actively acquiring projects.
• Network in the Stage 32 Lounges, where countless members have relationships and firsthand experience navigating deals with studios and streamers.

We’ll always work to bring you opportunity, but it’s up to you to prepare, position yourself, and be ready when that door opens.

So here’s my question to keep the conversation going: As a creator, how do you balance craft and business? Do you focus more on building the strongest world on the page or screen, or on building the right relationships to get that world seen?

As always, we love sharing inspiration, tools, and insights that help fuel your creative fire. Know someone who would love this content? Share it with them. And don’t forget to tag us (@Stage32) if you do. You can keep up with everything we’re doing on the Stage 32 YouTube and by following me on Instagram and X: @rbwalksintoabar.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and creative Sunday.

Cheers,

RB

Frame Voyager | They Built an Entire World Inside a Studio

RBWalksIntoABar | Is Disney Looking For Material?

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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