Happy Friday, Stage 32 Community!

Our Stage 32 Team has been working diligently to bring in new educational and mentoring resources and opportunities to this fantastic community!

This December, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, film commissioners, financiers, award-winning writers, producers, directors, cinematographers, authors, actors, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on or represented such projects as THE SANDMAN, DEAD BOY DETECTIVES, JOY RIDE, SHADOW FORCE, NOW YOU SEE ME, A SONG FOR IMOGENE, THE CHI, THIS IS US, VIDA, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, SURREAL ESTATE, WORKIN' MOMS, ORPHAN BLACK, CAUGHT IN HIS WEB, SUPERGIRL, STARGIRL, BLACK LIGHTNING, DOOM PATROL, PENNYWORTH, LUCIFER, SWEET TOOTH, BILLY THE KID, FROM, SHELTER, BOB’S BURGERS, AMERICAN DAD, REASONABLE DOUBT, and many more!

So without much further ado, let's roll out the red carpet and welcome some of the fantastic new people and education opportunities joining our Stage 32 Community this December!

Stage 32 Special Events!

Holiday Happy Hour with Team EDU

Date: December 3rd

Time: 4:30 pm PT

Location: Virtual, Exclusively Through Stage 32

This Event Is Free To Attend!

This holiday season, we’re celebrating our incredible creative community by giving back—answering your burning questions and sharing valuable insights to support you on your creative journey. It’s the perfect chance to meet the Stage 32 Education Team, connect with fellow members, and find some festive inspiration in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere!

Together, let’s reflect on an amazing year, share holiday cheer, and gear up for the exciting opportunities ahead. The Education Team can’t wait to celebrate with you! Email edu@stage32.com for the link!

The Get Ready For 2025 Global Film & TV Production Summit: Current Landscape Brought to you by Stage 32 Certification

Date: December 18th

Time: 11:00am PT - 1:00pm PT

Location: Virtual, Exclusively Through Stage 32

This Event Is Free To Attend!

Join us for an exclusive FREE Virtual Film & TV Production Summit where top producers, film commissioners, and film & TV production executives from all around the world converge to discuss the current state of production and the entertainment industry to get you ready for 2025. With an ever-expanding global production business and the need for more trained professionals in the production workforce, we will go over how and where production is happening, the success and challenges different regions are facing, and the important role that Stage 32 Certification is playing to support global production.

If you have a desire to work on a film or TV production, this is an opportunity for you to learn about all of the opportunities that exist in film and television production, locally and globally, and how you can put yourself in a position to get a job working in the industry. And, if you have a production that is getting set to film, this expert panel will also discuss how you can maximize shooting anywhere around the world.

Join speakers from the Emmy-nominated television show GENIUS (Disney/NatGeo), The Costa Rica Film Commission, The Uganda Communications Commission, The Royal Film Commission of Jordan, Croatia Film & Headline Pictures in the UK. There will even be a Q&A where you can ask the panelists questions and get valuable direct feedback to help you on your career path or production. This is an event that you do not want to miss!

New Stage 32 Education!

Don’t wait for all of the spots to fill up! Below is an exciting list of upcoming Stage 32 Education that is already available for you to register for!

Microbudget Filmmaking: How to Plan & Hire Your Crew for a Film Budget Under $150,000

Starting: December 3rd

Instructor: Erika Arlee & Kristi Ray

How do you make a million-dollar movie on a micro-budget? It’s a daunting question if you are taking this huge career step. You may have an excellent script in hand, but the path forward can feel unclear and full of potential missteps. Building a reliable crew requires understanding how to balance fair compensation with the resources available to you. For example, you'll need to determine when to hire based on potential over experience, how to empower collegiate interns, and why authenticity and sweat equity are invaluable assets. The truth is, creating a successful film on a small budget is a skill set of its own, requiring strategic decisions about leadership, compensation, and resourcefulness.

That’s why we’re thrilled to have Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray, co-founders of the award-winning Honey Head Films, as your instructors. Erika, a writer, director, and cinematographer, has built a career specializing in ultra-low-budget filmmaking and has a proven track record with critically acclaimed films like A SONG FOR IMOGENE, which has won multiple awards. Kristi, a producer and actress trained at Lee Strasberg, has been a force in independent film for over 15 years, championing strong, female-centric narratives. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering filmmakers with the tools they need to tell their stories effectively, even on limited budgets.

In this webinar, you’ll gain practical insights on hiring a crew that fits your budget and vision. From understanding which roles are essential to budget for and how to decide when to stay lean or scale up, to strategies like “fixing it in prep” and fostering a positive set environment, Erika and Kristi will guide you through every critical step.

PLUS! You will receive these exclusive handouts for you to keep:

• A case study script
• A stripboard/schedule
• A crew list

How to Write Effective Action Lines in Your Film or TV Script

Starting: December 5th

Instructor: Anna Henry

Strong action lines can mean the difference between a script that feels alive and one that falls flat. If your goal is to grab a producer's attention, bring your story to life, and keep the reader engaged, mastering your action lines is essential. But here’s the challenge: many creatives approach action lines with uncertainty. Are they writing too much? Too little? Are their descriptions more like a novel than a script? If you've ever struggled with making your action lines clear, specific, and visually engaging, you're not alone. Writers often fall into common traps—overloading descriptions, losing pacing, or forgetting that a screenplay is more blueprint than literature. Action lines aren't just filler; they're world-builders, character-developers, and mood-setters. They control flow, create tone, and communicate your unique voice as a writer. And most importantly, they need to serve the story economically and visually.

That’s where Anna Henry comes in. With over 15 years of experience as a producer and development executive, Anna has worked with some of the biggest names and studios in the industry, including Netflix, Amazon, Starz, and Nickelodeon. Her clients have collaborated on hit shows like THE CHI, THIS IS US, VIDA and FEAR THE WALKING DEAD guiding writers to develop their passion projects into career-defining work. Anna’s expertise lies in understanding how to craft scripts that captivate decision-makers and translate seamlessly to the screen. With her deep knowledge of storytelling and production, Anna is uniquely qualified to teach you how to make every action line count.

In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, Anna will guide you through the fundamentals of crafting effective action lines, from writing economically to creating vivid, visual descriptions that build your world and define your characters. You'll explore techniques for setting the tone, pacing your scenes, and linking sequences to create a seamless reading experience. This isn’t a formatting class—though you’ll pick up tips there too—but a deep dive into the creative art of writing action lines that make your script stand out. By the end of this webinar, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to take your script from “meh” to “wow,” giving your story the life it deserves.

PLUS! You will receive:

• A copy of the STRANGER THINGS pilot, which will be used as a case study!

How to Recoup Your Film Investment - ROI, Cash Flow, Waterfalls

Starting: December 7th

Instructor: Viviana Zarragoitia

You may find the financial side of filmmaking intimidating or confusing, and it’s easy to see why. Distribution agreements often come with pages of legal and financial jargon that are difficult to decode. Payment terms and triggers to payment can feel like a foreign language and distribution fees and expenses can take a significant bite out of profits if you don’t understand how they work. Then there are waterfalls, a complex topic that involves breaking down sales agent fees, guild residuals, and collection account charges. Creatives often dive into projects without fully understanding these elements, which can lead to costly mistakes or missed opportunities for recoupment.

That’s where Viviana Zarragoitia comes in. Viviana is the Senior Vice President of Three Point Capital and has an impressive track record of financing over 100 independent films. With nearly a decade of experience at Three Point Capital, she has worked alongside some of the industry’s top producers, including Cassian Elwes, Rob Barnum, and Kimberly Steward. Before her current role, Viviana worked in production accounting and profit participation at industry giants like Millennium Films, Bold Films, and Lionsgate. Her deep expertise in film finance, from auditing multimillion-dollar distribution deals to managing film royalty audits, makes her uniquely qualified to teach you the ins and outs of financial strategies in filmmaking.

In this Stage 32 webinar, you’ll gain practical, detailed knowledge about interpreting distribution agreements, including how to navigate payment terms, identify triggers to payment, and understand distribution fees and expenses. You’ll learn how to interpret and calculate waterfalls, including breaking down sales agent commissions and understanding guild residuals and collection account fees. We’ll dive into recoupment schedules and explore how investors are prioritized based on investment agreements, along with the differences between debt and equity. Finally, you’ll discover how distributors and sales agents assess and value creative packages, from Above-the-Line attachments to the film’s genre and budget. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with a comprehensive understanding of the financial aspects of film projects and the confidence to make informed decisions about your film’s profitability.

PLUS! You will receive:

• A Sample CAMA Statement

How to Write an Ensemble Cast Feature Film Script

Starting: December 12th

Instructor: Chisom Ude

Writing ensemble features is no easy feat. Creatives often struggle with balancing multiple perspectives while keeping the script thematically consistent. Are your characters distinct enough? Are their arcs compelling and interconnected? The challenge lies in managing voice distinction, structuring meaningful scenes, and ensuring characters work in harmony with the plot—all while keeping the project appealing to top-tier actors.

This is where your Stage 32 educator Chisom Ude comes in. As a producer at Suite 06 and former creative executive at Lionsgate, Chisom has honed her expertise on ensemble storytelling with hits like JOY RIDE, lauded for its dynamic cast and earning a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Her experience with high-profile titles like SHADOW FORCE and NOW YOU SEE ME ensures you’ll gain insights into what it takes to craft ensembles that captivate both audiences and talent.

In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, Chisom will guide you through every stage of creating an ensemble script. You’ll learn how to structure multi-dimensional characters, balance primary and secondary roles, and refine arcs through dialogue and pivotal scenes. She’ll also share marketability strategies to ensure your characters shine in the industry spotlight. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or new to the craft, this session will equip you with the tools to write stories that stand out, resonate with audiences, and attract A-list talent. You’ll walk away with actionable techniques to craft ensemble stories that succeed both creatively and commercially. This is your chance to master the art of ensemble storytelling and take your screenwriting skills to the next level!

PLUS! You'll receive this exclusive download:

• An ensemble guideline from Chisom

New Stage 32 Executives!

Parker Whitmore, Story & Talent Departments at WME

Parker Whitmore works in the Story and Talent Departments at William Morris Endeavor (WME) one of the largest and most influential entertainment agencies in the world — acting as a liaison between clients, producers, and studio executives across the industry. There, Parker supports Endeavor's Executive Chairman, Patrick Whitesell (recently featured in the Hollywood Reporter for a $250 Million deal with Silver Lake for a new media company), who is the superagent to such A-List stars as Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Hugh Jackman, Michael B. Jordan, and Steven Yeun. Parker does daily script coverage at WME, providing in-depth story analysis to filmmakers and writer-directors of all types and genres.

Prior to his role at WME / Endeavor, Parker served as a contributing writer at Film Threat and We Got This Covered.

You can meet with Parker about your Feature or Pilot here.

Reni Calister, Chief Content Officer at Rock'n Robin Productions

Reni Calister is a two-time Emmy Award-winning Producer and Executive and serves as the Chief Content Officer of Rock’n Robin Productions, the production company of ABC broadcaster Robin Roberts. Rock'n Robin Productions is currently expanding their slate to include feature and television projects.

Reni previously served as the Executive Vice President of Content TOGETHXR, a media company founded by renowned Olympians Alex Morgan, Sue Bird, Chloe Kim, and Simone Manuel. Reni’s contributions extended to A Touch More, a production company founded by Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, where she helped launch the company which focuses on showcasing the stories of revolutionaries that shape culture.

Prior to her time at TOGETHXR, Reni worked at Rock’n Robin Productions as Head of Development, where she oversaw film and television productions for notable networks and platforms, including Disney+, Discovery+, ESPN, ABC, Lifetime, and the History Channel, among others. Reni’s career also includes working at Good Morning America, where she led Robin Roberts’ anchor team and traveled the globe to discover and share inspiring stories.

Reni’s media journey began at HBO Documentary Films, where she contributed to films that garnered prestigious awards, including the Peabody, Emmy, and Academy Award, establishing her passion for producing impactful and critically acclaimed content.

You can meet with Reni about your Pilot or Pitch Deck here.

Hannah Cheesman, Producer & Director

Hannah Cheesman is a producer and director based in LA and hailing from Toronto. Hannah is currently working as a producer with Local Time, the company of acclaimed filmmaker Lulu Wang (THE FAREWELL, EXPATS) as well as the production company Diversity Hire, producers of the film JOYLAND, on the project SUCCOR, based on her short film of the same name. Hannah also recently set up a half-hour dark comedy with Apple TV+, and just wrapped as a co-producer on season 3 of Hulu/SyFy hourlong SURREAL ESTATE.

She has previously worked on WORKIN' MOMS (Netflix), FIND ME IN PARIS (Hulu), and ORPHAN BLACK. As a director, Hannah was recently nominated for a Directors Guild of Canada award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Dramatic Series. She has had features and shorts that have been shown at Cannes, Tiff, and Palm Springs.

Hannah also directed the Lifetime movie, produced by Whoopi Goldberg, CAUGHT IN HIS WEB. Most recently, Hannah executive produced and directed 7 of 10 episodes of CBC/ITV suspense half-hour SOMETHING UNDONE, starring Billy Campbell and Amanda Brugel.

She has relationships with Apple TV+, BBCA, Bell Medi, and the Mark Gordon Company to name a few.

You can meet with Hannah about your Feature or Pilot here.

Sherice Dugan, Talent Manager/Producer at Sandstone Artists

Sherice Dugan is a Talent Manager/Producer at Sandstone Artists, working on behalf of a talented roster of television and feature writers. She brings to Sandstone her previous experience as a Creative Director at DC Entertainment, where she developed Netflix shows, THE SANDMAN with Neil Gaiman and Allan Heinberg, and DEAD BOY DETECTIVES with Steve Yockey and Beth Schwartz.

Prior to her time in development, while on the Current Television team, she worked with Berlanti Productions and The CW on SUPERGIRL, STARGIRL, BLACK LIGHTNING and DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW. In addition to those superhero shows Sherice also had the pleasure of covering DOOM PATROL, PENNYWORTH, LUCIFER and SWEET TOOTH. Definitely not a stranger to film sets or Comic-Con, Sherice has worked with some of the top writers and artists

You can meet with Sherice about your Action/Sci-Fi/Fantasy Feature or Pilot here.

Niklas Stahle, Motion Picture Literary & Television Scripted at CAA

Nik Stahle works in both the Motion Picture Literary & Television Scripted departments at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) one of the largest and most influential talent and entertainment agencies in the world. CAA reps top writers and directors as James Cameron, Jordan Peele, Taika Waititi and Aaron Sorkin, among others, and TV showrunners like Kenya Barris and Greg Berlanti. At CAA, Nik works closely with top representatives for filmmakers and writer-directors. Nik reads and generates coverage on scripts daily and serves as a liaison between clients, producers, and studio executives all across the industry.

Prior to CAA, Nik worked at Escape Artists, the production company behind such films as THE EQUALIZER franchise with Denzel Washington, THE MAN FROM TORONTO with Kevin Hart and BEING THE RICARDOS with Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, as well as television series such as as Peacock's DR. DEATH and APPLE TV+'s SERVANT from M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN.

Nik maintains relationships with agencies such as WME, UTA and Verve, management companies like Anonymous Content, Artists First and Range Media Partners, and production companies such as A24.

You can meet with Niklas about your Feature or Pilot here.

Jeremy Peschka, Studio Development Executive

Jeremy Peschka is a veteran Studio Development Executive who has worked for Amazon Studios, MGM International Studios and FOX Television Studios.

During his time working at various studios, Jeremy has built up strong relationships with writers, agents (Paradigm, CAA, WME, Gersh, APA, UTA), and managers (Kaplan Perrone, Circle of Confusion, Management 360, 42) and is currently building out his own slate of Film & TV projects.

He was recently the Development and Current Executive for International TV at Amazon / MGM Studios on BILLY THE KID (Epix), FROM (Epix), LAST LIGHT (Peacock), and SHELTER (Amazon), as well as Harlan Coben's LAZARUS which was announced in Deadline.

He worked in development at FOX Television Studios in adult animation on series such as BOB’S BURGERS and AMERICAN DAD as well as live action SON OF ZORN and IN TIME.

You can meet with Jeremy about your Feature, Pilot, or Pitch Deck here.

Janice Park, Producer & Founder of Vuja Dé

Janice Park is a film and television producer and founder at Vuja Dé, a global development, production, and creative impact company that works across film and TV with companies such as WME, CAA, UTA to Disney, Apple, Netflix, and Universal. The opposite of déjà vu, they believe the starting point of creativity is curiosity and strives to make the familiar feel exciting and new again.

Janice also served as VP of Scripted Programming at Onyx Collective, a Disney General Entertainment Content Brand, where she worked with writers and directors such as Ryan Coogler, Destin Daniel Cretton, and Jason Kim. At Onyx, she launched the brand’s first scripted show, REASONABLE DOUBT and oversaw drama and comedy series such as UNPRISONED starring Kerry Washington, THE OTHER BLACK GIRL executive produced by Rashida Jones, and THE PLOT starring Mahershala Ali.

She was SVP of Development and Production at Made Up Stories, Bruna Papandrea’s company known for hit TV series like WOLF LIKE ME (Peacock), NINE PERFECT STRANGERS (Hulu), ROAR (Apple), THE UNDOING, BIG LITTLE LIES 2 (HBO), PIECES OF HER (Netflix), and ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL (Netflix) as well as feature films such as LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE (Netflix), LUCY IN THE SKY (Searchlight), THE DRY (IFC), and LITTLE MONSTERS (Neon/Hulu). Janice got her start in the mailroom at UTA.

You can meet with Janice about your Feature, Pilot, Adaptation Review, or Pitch Deck here.

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