Advice

Happy Sunday to all. Hope you're all enjoying the weekend and drinking some good coffee.  Because, you know, life is too short to drink shitty java (or wine, for that matter). Let's roll with another edition of Coffee & Content. We get many questions here on Stage 32 about how to go about breaking down a script. Here's a great vid by the guys at Rocket Jump Film School to get you going. Next up, Richard Linklater has been called "The most European American filmmaker working today." Whether...

I use contracts with everything. The books I ghostwrite, the blog posts I create, and the scripts I work so hard on for others. But I messed up recently. I had the contract in hand and shared it with the other party. He dragged his feet. And it's not his fault. It's mine. Because I let him. I was pissed at myself for weeks. I was pissed for so many reasons. I wanted to write a scathing blog post and share it with the world so I would feel better. Me. Several times over a period of weeks. Sev...

For as long as I can remember, the relationship I had with my father Mike was complicated. For starters, he was legendary in Hollywood. And because he was a well-known agent, executive, and producer, the father-son bond I waited for was often put on the back burner. Things at home weren’t stable.
 I changed schools in my teen years a handful of times.
 When I started working, my father took the Bill Gates approach to parenting; make your own way without favors from one of the most powerful peopl...

How does a budding screenwriter get started? What's more, how can he or she improve on their writing? Burt Bluestein was the assistant director on Godfather II and Point Break. Stage 32 caught up with him at Film Con Hollywood where he offered tips for up and coming screenwriters, as well as the power of networking on Stage 32. Give the image below a click to hear what he has to say!   Click Here For Burt's Advice!     Remember, if you haven't subscribed to our YouTube page, make sure yo...

You’re in your artistic element, deeply connected to your creativity and performance. Just like a river flowing from its source into the world, it feels right. It’s a connection that transcends flaws, doubts, and fears. Your inspiration, passion, skills, and talents come together into one stream of expression. You’re becoming your song, writing, or your acting. In moments like these, you can feel the ripples of emotions between you and your audience. Time stops… Nothing else matters… You and y...

Happy Sunday everyone, and to those celebrating, a very happy holiday weekend.  Hope you're enjoying and participating in another edition of Introduce Yourself Weekend.  Now on to another edition of Coffee & Content. First up this week, I love me a good TEDx Talk and this one from John Dufresne, How to Write a Story, certainly fits the bill.  Get yourself a backup cup of java for this vid as you may just want to watch it twice. Next up, cinematographers and gaffers, I hear ya!  You want more...

In my experience there have been three types of people who approach me with ideas:1) Those who have no idea what the creative process entails, nor respect for the creative person. With people like this, I am polite but stay at a distance. 2) Those who really want to write their stories themselves, but are blocked by their own fear and/or denial. With people like this, I am polite but will share advice. 3) Those who want you to write their story for them and are willing to discuss a contract...

When we watch the Super Bowl, we often see a huge amount of emotion erupting not only from the fans, but the players. How many times have you seen Titans of Sport weeping like children because they lost a game? Or because they won the game? Fights break out, Gatorade is poured over coaches’ heads, the emotional displays are often unexpected but always completely authentic, spontaneous, and often as compelling as any film. What’s more, the players deliver these kinds of performances without givin...

When it comes to coverage, writers end up with a vast array of responses from seasoned readers, not-so-seasoned readers, producers, and executives. But how does a writer handle the coverage? And what can he or she do to make it better? Ricard Botto and Jason Mirch handle the question for a writer during the free "Ask Me Anything" webinar hosted by both gentlemen. A hint on how they responded? Be receptive to notes and let go of any defensiveness. Click below to hear more.   Click Here For...

Hello, my fellow creatives. Spring is here and in this survival guide, I will be focusing on a checklist and things to keep in mind when shooting a documentary or good old fashion interviews. These are just my strategies when prepping to shoot a documentary or interviews, so do what works for you. There are many ways to skin a cat, and it is up to you to test and refine what works so you can effectively handle any curve-balls and do your job efficiently while keeping on schedule. Choosing the...