Advice

I'm afraid of heights. I don't like climbing ladders. But I also like to get where I want to go, even if it means going up high. The most important thing I have learned in trying to raise money for my first feature film is that I needed to start small—at the bottom of the ladder. Of course, I didn't do that. The first thing I did was try to get a feature made from one of my science fiction/horror novels, the budget of which I estimated would be in the $50 million range or higher. After two y...

Good Morning, Stage 32 Family! Hope your summer is going well! From the looks of our mid-year check in, it looks like it's going great for many of you! We get lots of questions on editing, and, no doubt, it's one of the more interesting aspects of the business. How many times have we heard it said, "The film was saved in editing." If you believe this to be true (and even if you don't), get your coffee or tea ready as film editor Sven Pape takes us on a journey with television editor, Josh Be...

An independent filmmaker today has enormous challenges. The biggest challenge is to find the money to get your film made. I have heard so many stories that have frustrated me over the years. Producers with no experience meeting a billionaire and getting a film made. Producers with tons of experience grinding it out to no avail. But that’s not what I want to talk about. And frankly, that’s not what you need to hear anymore. That catch 22 has jumped the shark. We got it. It’s hard and there is no...

If you're a mix-tape master, cue up Paperback Writer by The Beatles while you read this. Books. The original hand-held device. This post will teach you how to publish for Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook, and even as a paperback and hardcover book. Really though, the hard part is just sitting down to write the darned thing, especially because not writing can be more pleasurable than writing. Currently, this Stage 32 blog post is really just procrastination from yet another editing pass for my 20...

Many people at Stage 32 often dream of getting their first real writing, acting, or directing credit in a big studio feature, but this can result in overlooking a truly valuable platform: The short film. A short film can help build your resume, get your work seen, or lead to even bigger and better opportunities. And while I never dreamt it could lead to so much, these ideas were the impetus behind my desire to make Crybaby, a 16-minute short film that I wrote, starred in, and co-directed with...

During his free Ask Me Anything webinar, Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto and Director of Script Services Jason Mirch fielded a question regarding the fast track to becoming a successful writer and actor. Basically, is there a way to shorten the path as a writer or actor? Hear what the duo has to say by clicking the video link below!   Click Here For RB's and Jason's Advice!       Remember, if you haven't subscribed to our YouTube page, make sure you do so you don't miss any of our a...

Most indie filmmakers I know invest much of their time attending events and seminars about filmmaking. This is both good and bad. Good, because filmmaking is a business of relationships, so putting your best self – your “brand” out there, is always a plus. Bad, in the fact that conversations at these events usually center around, “How can I get my film funded?” What struck me one evening was that I was repeatedly spending my time in a room of broke-ass filmmakers commiserating with other broke...

Good Morning, Creative Army! This edition of Coffee & Content focuses on ways we can use CGI, graphic design, and camera movements to up the ante with our filmmaking. First up, computer generated imagery is being used more and more, especially in action films. If you're interested in what films like ATTRACTION and SAN ANDREAS look like without special effects, pull your coffee cup closer to you. Because 7 Movies Before and After Special Effects is going to show you. Next up, our friends at...

So there I was, minding my own business (not really) in a Facebook group filled with actors when I came across a thread where a fellow actor posed the following question: “Do I really need a brand as an actor? I see all of these posts where it says we need to brand ourselves and I’m freaking out. Does it really matter?” The answers that followed the question were varied, to say the least. And of course they did; this is social media we’re talking about. You can say whatever the hell you want...

I am an obsessive multi tasker. Some call me a master juggler. 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 d...