Advice

What's up Creative Army? As many of you know, we recently partnered with Netflix to host a TV Pitch Workshop that has since been viewed by over 90,000 entertainment creatives (screenwriters, filmmakers, actors) and professionals (managers, agents, development execs, producers) from over 175 countries. Christopher Mack, the Director of Talent Investment and Development at Netflix, provided over three hours of exclusive insider information and tips on how to pitch to Netflix and what they look f...

My name is Danika Maia (Perman, but who uses last names these days?) and I'm originally from the Bay Area in Northern California. I have always been interested in writing and storytelling, since I was a small child. I studied digital media and marketing in college, but wanted to pursue a career in media and journalism afterwards, which I started to do with VICE in 2013 while I was still studying. As the digital media industry began to feel more and more like a job in advertising, I lost my pa...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! I've got my coffee in hand and your weekly dose of content coming in hot - grab your coffee of choice and let's dive right in. First up, our friends over at Netflix put together an amazing behind-the-scenes video about the making of the Emmy-nominated series The Queen's Gambit. In this video, lead actor Anya Taylor-Joy, writer/director Scott Frank, and several other amazing cast/crew members take you deep inside the making of the show that scored a staggering 18 E...

Happy Screenplay Saturday Stage 32! I hope you all had a beautiful and creative week. I was catching up on the trades this week (following the very sage wisdom of our founder and CEO Richard "RB" Botto: Always read the trades and know what is going on in the business of entertainment!) and I came across an article from Deadline Hollywood about the Emmy-nominated HBO Max show Hacks. I haven't had the chance to watch this show yet, but it is at the top of my list because Jean Smart is a brillian...

WARNING: Objects in mirror are closer than they appear, or is it that they may not be as close as they appear? I suppose it all depends on how they appear and how blind we’ve become to a message that’s under our noses everyday; I’ll come back to this. The mission you have chosen to accept in this industry is one of delivering a perspective. Whether you are writer, actor, director, producer, costumer, or gaffer. The projects you work on will all set out to deliver a perspective through the skil...

What is up Creative Army? Today, I wanted to share some exciting news. Our fearless leader, Rich "RB" Botto, who I have worked alongside for the last 10 years, has been recognized by Fast Company as a CEO and thought leader who has been disrupting the industry in which his company operates. As a result, RB has been officially named to the Executive Board of Fast Company. For nearly 25 years Fast Company has profiled some of the business industry's biggest disruptors -- companies that move FAST...

Hello Stage 32 Creative Crew! It is always a pleasure to address the largest and most diverse creative community on the planet. And today I come with some very exciting news. At Stage 32 we’re always working to provide opportunities for creatives around the world to advance their careers through education and access directly from industry professionals. My goal has always been to shorten your path to success - no matter your discipline, goals, or experience level. Stage 32 is a community d...

As a literature professor and a writing coach, I see a lot of first drafts. In fact, you might even say that first drafts are my specialty. My job in both cases is to guide the writers to a better understanding of their craft and to help them get clarity on the steps that will elevate their projects. Some drafts are in better shape than others when they hit my desk, and so I thought that I’d offer some strategies here to help you improve your first draft process. But first, a definition. What...

Now more than ever we could all use some wholesome, feel-good, entertainment that brings the whole family together. And that is just what audiences are looking for! Inspiring, fun, engaging feature films that are for the whole family - not just for kids! Thanks to classic films that leave a lasting impression such as BIG, HOME ALONE, PRETTY WOMAN, BACK TO THE FUTURE, THE GOONIES, and new hits such as THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES, A DOG’S JOURNEY, SPY KIDS, and more Family Friendly films offer some...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! First of all, 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 every corner of 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. Now, grab some fresh coffee and let's dive in to this week's pipi...