Latest Blogs

Happy Monday, Stage 32 Community — and Happy November Write Club! If you’re new to Stage 32 or hearing about November Write Club for the first time, here’s the scoop: November Write Club is our month-long creative challenge where members from all over the world set personal goals, stay accountable, and support one another as they work toward finishing the year strong. Whether your goal is to complete a first draft, polish a short film, edit a reel, or simply reconnect with your creativity, Wri...

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. This week’s featured video comes from Vanity Fair: How EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick Created “Golden” From KPop Demon Hunters. EJAE and Mark take us through a rare, intimate look inside their creative process as they unv...

Where does your career end and your personal life begin? Where does your digital world end and your real-world begin? As a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (EMMYS), I’ve been lucky to be invited to a lot of For Your Consideration screenings and events around Hollywood over the years. At an FYC screening for WESTWORLD a few years back, Jonathan Nolan, the co-creator of the show, had some very insightful words about the dangers of “people becoming brands” via social media. H...

In these dangerous times of excessive greed, cruelty, and oppression in too many places around the world, we count on our artists and activists, policy-makers, and regular people to recognize and counter this Love of Death & Destruction. Why does it happen? How can we best address it towards that ideal of “The greatest good for the greatest number”? Some of you may be creating fiction pieces, historical, contemporary, or futuristic, about oppression, killers, war, and destruction. Some...

“You have to let it all go, Neo. Fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind. — Morpheus, The Matrix There is freedom that comes with detachment. It is often misunderstood—seen as indifference or withdrawal—when, in truth, it is one of the most liberating practices a creative person can learn. Detachment gives space for peace, clarity, and new ideas to flow. It is less about stepping away and more about loosening your hold on what you cannot control. Why Detachment Matters Holding on too t...

The team and I just returned from the Austin Film Festival, and I can't underestimate the power of putting yourself out there. After talking with hundreds of writers, filmmakers, and producers over the past few days, it's clear that creatives are increasingly thinking globally. Multiple filmmakers approached us to share how they're shooting internationally, partnering with global production companies, and leveraging local tax incentives to push their projects forward. New production hubs are e...

Producing an independent film is an exercise in patience, collaboration, and controlled chaos. The journey of bringing After All to life was no exception. In this blog, I want to pull back the curtain on what producers actually do for your film, and how the right producing team can make all the difference when navigating the unpredictable world of indie filmmaking. The Early Stage: Building the Foundation In the beginning, when the script is finished and the director’s vision starts to crysta...

Hey Stage 32 Community! Can you believe November is just one week away? That means it’s almost time for one of my favorite annual Stage 32 traditions — The 11th Annual November Write Club! Every November, creatives from all over the world come together on Stage 32 for a month of motivation, accountability, and community. It’s our biggest and most feel-good creative challenge of the year — and whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, actor, producer, or any other kind of storyteller, this is your...

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. The team over at Corridor Crew recently dropped an incredible video: ONE YEAR of Work for TEN SECONDS of Film. If you love The Matrix, filmmaking, or just watching artists push the boundaries of what’s possible, this...

In this survival guide, I'll be focusing on a checklist of things to keep in mind when shooting a horror film. It's no surprise that horror films cost less to produce and shoot. A good example is Jordan Peele’s Get Out. James Wan made his career with the SAW franchise. Horror films bring in lots of money at the box office, and audiences flock to the screen to get their fright on! With that in mind, let's dive right into the belly of the beast. Costume & Make-up Design If there is one thing...