Advice

"I’m the guy that does his job. You must be the other guy.” – Mark Wahlberg playing Dignam is The Departed.     When I told Rosalind Winton that I wanted to write another blog here on Stage 32, there was one topic I had been looking to address for a while, but also one that is quite timely in light of what’s going on in the entertainment business: Professionalism. It’s the reason I led with Mr. Wahlberg’s quote from the Oscar-Winning Best Picture, The Departed. I’ve always related wit...

Happy Sunday, everyone.  Trust you're all having a great weekend?We're still buzzing from what was a remarkable and inspiring day at the Stage 32/LA Acting Studio's 1st Film Con Hollywood.  We'll have more updates about and some cool video from the event coming soon.  Until then, let's get to this edition of Coffee & Content. First up, how about 2 dudes talking acting?  It's Film Acting Tips: How to Act on Camera, with Chris Mack.  I love the conversational and relaxed tone of this vid.  Almos...

Hey guys. A quick reminder that Film Con Hollywood (hosted by Stage 32 and the LA Acting Studio) takes place this Saturday at the LA Convention Center. The buzz is high, the stage is set and we’re fired up to bring you a full day of keynotes, panels, workshops, networking, pitching, screenings and more.   Whether you’re an actor, screenwriter, filmmaker, producer, content creator, film financier or are looking to further your career in the film, television or content creation business you wi...

Who, exactly, is a DreamWeaver? DreamWeavers pull together the threads of relationships, career, education and experience, then reach beyond their grasp and weave a unique life tapestry. That would be you, yes?     YOU are the Most Important Person you know… No one else can fulfill your dream, no matter what they may say. And Honey, you can’t fulfill the dream of anyone else, either. Dreams are individual. Unique. Others may support yours and vice versa; you may have guidance and men...

Hello, my fellow creatives.  Happy Sunday. Hope you are all enjoying and participating in what has been a very lively Introduce Yourself Weekend! Today for Coffee & Content, I'm bringing you some voices with years of experience talking directing and screenwriting. First up, legendary director, Ridley Scott waxes poetic on the craft of directing.  As usual, no pulled punches from Sir Ridley.  Nothing more for you to do with this one than pour yourself a full cuppa and kick back. Next, fro...

Greetings from rainy Los Angeles, and Happy Sunday.  Coffee is brewed, let's get to the content. One of the most inspiring dudes I've met over the last few months is filmmaker, Matt Alonzo.  Not only is Matt a ridiculously talented guy who handles just about everything - shooting, lighting, editing - but he also aims to educate and motivate wherever he goes.  The idea of giving back and paying it forward is part of his DNA.  An example of this?  This week, Matt will be teaching filmmaking to o...

Looking to develop your first pitch? Want to improve the pitch you already have? Join Stage 32's Nick & Allen and learn what turns a pitch into a request or meeting!     We see a lot of projects pitched on Stage 32 each week and review the feedback execs give on all of them. We see the good, the bad, and everything in between. We see what gets read and what gets the dreaded pass. What lands on the top of the pile and what gets buried under everything else. And we see the questions abou...

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic and power in it. Begin it now.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe    Do you love what you’re doing? If you could change anything, from tiniest niggle to largest adjustment, what would you do? Would you keep forging ahead for the dream du jour? Or would you modify, skew slightly left, leave the beaten path entirely? What will it take for you to pursue your dream? As a child, I dreamed of being an artist. If I couldn’t be...

Good morning, 32'ers.  Happy Oscars Sunday. Don't forget, it's not too late to get your Oscars ballot in.  Prizes and bragging rights are at stake.  Fill out your ballot here. Leading up to the ceremony, I have two more videos for your enjoyment as part of this edition of Coffee and Content. First up, a classic and extremely celebrated video of Michael Caine discussing acting in film.  Next, from Actualized.org, comes a terrific video on overcoming writer's block.  Whether you're writing...

Crowdfunding for independent film has grown up quite a bit since the very first edition of Crowdfunding for Filmmakers came out in 2013, and as such, those who partake in the privilege of inviting a crowd in to fund your latest movie must adapt to the changing landscape. As Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder sings, “It’s evolution, baby!” and one such evolution has been the advent of the campaign manager.   Yes, crowdfunding’s a booming industry, one that has spawned an ecosystem all its own: peopl...