Latest Blogs

Like many, I’m reasonably new to screenwriting. I taught college courses in writing and Goth Lit for 15 years, and when I made the switch to screenwriting, I thought, “It’s writing. How hard could it be? Look at all the stuff that gets made.” I embarked on a journey to learn all I could about writing scripts, something I’d dreamed of doing for nigh-on 30 years. I wrote a couple of sitcoms I thought were awesome and sent them to some managers who accepted unsolicited scripts. I was turned dow...

A common question aspiring screenwriters crafting big blockbuster scripts ask is: "How can I sell my script to the studios?" The truth, while not impossible,  the chances of this happening for an "unknown" screenwriter (meaning you haven't sold anything before) is very slim. So, let's try and broaden the odds for you and look at Indie Film Production. Stage32 has a plethora of Producers in this community, so let me suggest you start by forming relationships with them and seeing where that l...

The demand for adapting IP into film and television projects isn't ending anytime soon. Whether you're looking to adapt a book you've already written or a piece of material written by someone else, it's important to have a way a process to help you craft your adaptation into a screenplay. So, how do you do it? A little background. I have written five books and adapted them into feature-length screenplays. Two have been made into feature films and my latest novel/screenplay will be filmed nex...

Happy Wednesday, Stage 32 Community!   Since 2011, the Stage 32 team has been working tirelessly to help you stay connected, creative, motivated, and informed. As always, we are committed to bringing you networking opportunities, education and mentoring from top-level industry executives and professionals, and access to decision-makers around the globe all from the comfort of your own home. Recently, our fearless leader and CEO Richard "RB" Botto hosted an "Ask Me Anything": State of the Indus...

I can work on any given day on multiple projects and activities. I'm not sure if it is because I love variety or because, deep down, I am a masochist. Or a control freak. From buying films on behalf of our theatrical distributor clients, selling and marketing those films, developing content for film and television, and representing personalities, influencers, or media companies, I do it all. I also consult for Wall Street and do story development consultations.My phone should be surgically attac...

You've made a short film. You've put in your time, effort, blood, sweat, tears, and perhaps even some serious money into your project. Your goal isn't only to get your film seen but to get it seen around the world and by people who can make a difference in your career. Would being screened by an Oscar-qualifying film festival matter? How about having it screened for over 1,000 executives including managers, agents, producers, film financiers, and more? Look no further. The most prestigious sho...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. First up, we have a great video from Film Courage on making a short film, and h...

Showbusiness is and has always been a collaborative effort. Even a one-person show needs an audience to be complete, so there’s nobody in this industry - no matter how much success or power they may have - who doesn’t need support when it comes to realizing their creative and financial goals. When we’ve been undersupported in our work and our lives, it’s easy to look at the careers of more established filmmakers and creators and imagine that there comes a point where a person’s privilege empower...

I am a Distributor turned Filmmaker. I have a finance degree and a law degree and I spent the first 22 years of my film career in Distribution. Then I got the bug to become creative. I have since made and successfully self-distributed 7 feature films, 3 of which are presently airing on Netflix worldwide. I help hundreds of indie filmmakers and the initial conversation usually goes like this: Jeff to Filmmaker: “You need to think about distribution BEFORE you make your movie because it could...

About twenty years ago, the Zoie Films Festival launched one of the first online film festivals to showcase films, animations, and documentaries from around the world. The films were streamed online and soon after, Zoie Films was streaming films and animations via cell phones. Pssst.. this was before smartphones and flip phones were the choice of most consumers. Naturally, the streaming was wonky. The future is here and it’s all about VOICE, as in “hands-free, voice-activated, and data-driven”...