Advice

Have you ever fallen in creative love? Perhaps you idly chat about your favorite director (like this fun getting-to-know-you post), only to discover that you both love their most obscure film the most. Over your first coffee date, you playfully square off about who has the worst set stories, but you share a laugh over the resiliency it takes to keep going. Now you're about to start a project and your new creative ally is firmly entrenched in your corner. 'How in the world did I get so fortunate?...

Happy New Year, Stage 32! Last month, I wrote a pilot and a feature in my labors as a script doctor and ghostwriter… and in the final tally, I wound up writing 6 pilots and nine features in 2021. Just one of these films was under my own name. Going into 2022, my goal is to make enough headway with my own spec sales, films in development, and transmedia projects that I can charge more, work less, and focus on what I have to give the audience. If I can get my sci-fi heist feature into productio...

The inclination nowadays is to try to promote yourself online as much as possible. However, while there – understandably (and unfortunately) – are still some locales in varying forms of lockdown, more events are (back) out there where you can go speak! Getting in front of people opens a new lane for you to get your name, face, and what you do “out there” while also providing opportunities to make valuable new connections. Let me immediately nip something in the bud before you decide, “Oh no, t...

Happy Wednesday Stage 32! 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 efforts have been noticed by the media in a big way. We are incredibly proud and honored that Stage 32...

Congratulations on taking an important step to becoming a professional screenwriter by joining the Stage 32 Writers' Room! And if you haven't joined yet, be sure to check it out here! In all career paths there is the need for continual education, and screenwriting is no different. Whatever natural talent we have must be strengthened through education and networking, because after all, we could have written the greatest scripts in the world, but if no one sees them, it’s as if they don’t exist....

Happy Sunday Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee and let's dive in. First up, the folks over at Film Riot have put together an epic tutorial on how to make the electro effect from Spider-Man: No Way Home. This tutorial uses Adobe After Effects and will add some major production value to your projects.  Next up, Walt Disney Animation Studios recently shared a behind the s...

Small feature films are roads to much bigger projects. A positive, proactive attitude will propel your work. Here is what you need to give your film a fighting chance against the competition. 1. Aim For Attention Successful projects happen when you adopt a realistic approach to their completion. Don’t think too big too soon. Storytelling as a filmmaker is a lifelong learning curve but a positive attitude is everything. A feature film carries the kudos and longevity that short-form content doe...

Sales projections are essential for an independent production. It gives an indication as to the commercial value of the project and eventually, the revenue expectations, which is important for financiers. Sales projections may start at development level. Once at production stage or when there is a finished film and a sales agent is engaged, the production will have a more precise indication. The sales agent typically issues formal high to low sales estimates. In this weeks vlog, I talk more...

In the late 1990’s, I was asked to be involved with a film that was to be funded via a Private Placement Memorandum/an LLC. My company was to be the worldwide sales agent for the film, which was budgeted at about $1.2 million. I read the script and also reviewed the film package (writer/director/actors/producers etc) and the production budget. I did my due diligence on the film project. I liked the project, the genre and pace of the script etc., so I was happy to provide revenue estimates fo...

Happy Wednesday Creative Army! Stage 32's continued mission is to democratize the entertainment business and the industry is taking notice in a big way. We are incredibly proud and honored that Stage 32 has been featured recently in Forbes Magazine, Business Insider, Inc. Magazine, and more. Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Voyage LA about how and why Stage 32 was born over ten years ago.  Specifically, I spoke with them about my journey in the industry, how Stage 32 came ab...