Advice

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! 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 around 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. First up, some of the best effects are the simplest. In this video from Film Riot, we'...

Want Success? Stop Listening to the Hollywood Narrative! Is it just me, or does it feel like Hollywood is set up to make you fail? Obstacle, after obstacle… Rejection, after rejection… It’s *almost* not even worth trying. And I can say ‘almost’ because those of us who still believe in the magic of our dreams, have a passion so strong that we are going to go for it, despite all of the hardships we hear about. If you are one of those people, like me, I want you to really listen to what...

Networking is too often associated with adjectives such as uncomfortable, artificial, or intimidating. However, there are concrete ways to change your mindset and navigate these situations effectively so it goes back to what it was originally intended for: creating and solidifying meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships, in your industry and beyond. 1) Think About Your Purpose As a film producer, I have always wanted to work with people from all over the world to make authentic fi...

Dear Actors, you are enough… But do you really believe that? Following nearly 25 years of working in the performing arts industry as an actress myself, I have also had the opportunity to assist directors, train with incredible coaches, and view the problems that arise for most actors time and time again. It’s an elusive art form acting and what it takes to be a great actor seems to be equally puzzling because great acting looks so simple. But don’t be deluded into thinking that anything...

She's too perfect. It's annoying how he always wins. All they do is complain. When I was 19 years old, I decided to start my screenwriting journey. I spent months perfecting my work and paid special attention to my characters. But despite my blood, sweat, and tears, I never got anyone emotionally invested in my stories. People said things like they're too perfect, they win too much, or they're bland and unrealistic. When I read these comments, I was bewildered. Plenty of characters are Ma...

Small feature films are roads to much bigger projects. A positive, proactive attitude will propel your work. Here is what you need to give your film a fighting chance against the competition. 1. Aim For Attention Successful projects happen when you adopt a realistic approach to their completion. Don’t think too big too soon. Storytelling as a filmmaker is a lifelong learning curve but a positive attitude is everything. A feature film carries the kudos and longevity that short-form content doe...

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, we love giving writers advice on their craft and career straight from the pros (and if you're a member of the Writers' Room, you see this regularly with our Wednesday Webcasts), so this week, I wanted to share this video from the Writers' Guild Foundation. The Foundation interviews showrunner A...

As actors, there are certain things that are completely out of our control period. We've been told, time and time again, that our successes and fate in film or TV are a heavy dose of talent, timing, effort, connections, and further luck. Some of those ingredients in our success pie are out of our control; however, some are in our control and we can do on a daily basis to ensure our careers move forward. These are five tips that I do daily to ensure my success as an actress and as a human;...

Freelancing in the film industry, whatever your role, and as exciting as it can be, sometimes means navigating turbulent waters. So how do we stay put and not lose sight of our true North? I moved from Italy to Los Angeles in 2016, after a 21-year-long plan to follow my childhood dream of making music for the silver screen. Once in L.A., coming from a 9-to-5 day job, I soon realized how much I had to learn not only about Hollywood but also about how to stay healthy while freelancing. In the...

Public relations is a mystical profession. It’s difficult to describe. It is impossible to guarantee and there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to strategy. It’s a profession that is not for the faint of heart. You need a strong resolve and a titanium shield to shed the slings and arrows that may come your way – from both the public and your clients. Who is it for? Public relations is for any individual, organization, or brand. What Is Public Relations? The task of public relation...