Advice

Over the last 8 years in LA as a director and producer, I feel like I've seen so many sides of the filmmaking world. I've done backyard shorts with friends and family with guerilla shooting, I've done features for over a million dollars, I've directed a big studio episodic for TV, and I’ve even funded my own short docs. As everyone in the industry knows, this work can be intense. We often have long hours. We give 120% of our brain power dissecting scripts, making shot lists, and scouting locat...

Does the divisive and often volatile environment in which we live cause you to pause in your writing endeavors? Do you hesitate? Do you feel restricted and unable to explore diverse or controversial themes? Or maybe you find that access to truthful information is so difficult to come by and discern that it has stifled the authenticity of your own voice. Does the little thumbs-up or thumbs-down emoji strike fear in you, making you worry that you might lose supporters—often those whose loyalty is...

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! As many of you already know, Stage 32 Certification has been bringing new film commissions, institutes, colleges, streamers, and other organizations into the mix on a consistent basis. This week we’re thrilled to welcome the Pittsburgh Film Office to Stage 32 Certification! The Pittsburgh Film Office and Stage 32 are excited to partner to bring Certification opportunities to creative professionals in the Pittsburgh, PA area. This is their chance to get certifie...

Last year, I watched a YouTube video interview with a working screenwriter who said it took him ten years to make a feature film. What a coincidence; that’s how long it took me to make a deal for Purgatory Station, recently released on Amazon Prime, Fandango, and Tubi. And when I say a feature, I don’t mean a microbudget indie that plays on the festival circuit. I mean a film with a legitimate distributor that gets it onto proven streaming networks. At the risk of immodesty, this was a goal I wo...

As a creative, you’re likely familiar with the constant flow of ideas and concepts that rush through your mind. At times, it feels like you’re drowning in them—frustrated, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to bring them all together. Perhaps you’ve tried to focus but found that your thoughts remain fragmented. This is a challenge nearly all creators face at some point. But here’s the good news: journaling is an incredibly powerful tool that can help you organize, refine, and develop these scattered...

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, in this video by In Depth Cine, he’s analyzing the most common 4 reasons why starting a career in filmmaking can be so difficult. All of his points are topics that I’ve spoken on before and we provide many courses right here on Stage 32 where working professionals can help you better understand...

Fun. The main reason most of us got into (or are trying to get into) the film and TV industry is because it sounds so much fun! And it is - some of the best times of my life have been on set. I have been lucky enough to have filmed all over the world, from Pinewood to Bollywood and from Montana to the Sahara. I’ve worked on some really wonderful productions and I’ve been on some really awful productions that if I could get in my TARDIS, travel back in time, and change that timeline - then I woul...

There’s a natural soul-searching during this time of year. Do I spend money on my loved ones, or is quality time more important? Have I been spending too much time investing in my work, or not enough? Am I living my best life NOW, or am I still in survival mode? Whether this reflection is brought up by family visits, relaxing vacations, or making plans for the new year, it all comes to a pinnacle as we shift away from celebrating holidays and into starting anew in January. As someone born on N...

Abuela Alma: "I was given a miracle. A second chance. And I was so afraid to lose it that I forgot who it was for." Mirabel: "It’s for us." ~ Disney’s Encanto (2021) A moment of reconciliation and forgiveness between Abuela Alma and Mirabel. This scene reminds us of the importance of letting go of fear and allowing compassion to heal relationships. As you gather with loved ones to celebrate the holidays, consider where forgiveness may be needed in your life—forgiveness between others, fo...

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, in this video essay by Frame Voyager, he’s talking about the new Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. Based on Elijah Wald's 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric!, the film chronicles Bob Dylan's rise from a folk music phenomenon to the seismic moment at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, where his shif...