Advice

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 from Just An Observation, they’re analyzing Jeremy Allen White's award-winning performance as Carmy Berzatto in FX's The Bear. Specifically, his masterful ability to lean into Carmy’s physical stress, anxiety, and personal trauma in unique ways that amplify the story. It’s a showc...

I received my master’s degree in Composition and Technologies from the University of Colorado Boulder and I couldn’t wait to start working in the industry. My journey has been incredible and I worked hard to get where I am. You have to start somewhere, so I began my career working for Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL) as his primary assistant, working on sound design, additional composition, studio music tech, conducting and orchestration. During those years with Junkie XL, I worked on several films in...

In a previous Stage 32 blog (which you can find HERE), I discussed why consulting with a publicist is a good idea before heading into production on your creative project. Working with a publicity team can sometimes feel daunting—especially if you’re not on the same page and don’t speak the same lingo. To complicate matters more, it can be especially intimidating if you’re constrained by budget and taking on the DIY approach. So, whether you’ve worked with a PR team before or you’re going it alon...

In part 1 of this blog series (which you can find HERE), I delved into character and plot development inspired by Nic Pizzolatto's work. Now, let's focus on content aspects: themes, tropes, and conflicts. Unlike the first part, there's no specific order here—it's a writing toolbox to be used as needed. Themes are the flesh of a story, giving it depth beyond the plot. They offer an interesting perspective on everyday life, resonating with audiences long after the story ends. For example, True...

Crafting compelling characters is important for successful screenwriting; with character arcs playing a pivotal role in captivating audiences. Understanding the Heroic Journey as a character arc sets the stage for dynamic and engaging characters that resonate with viewers. Delving into the concept of character arcs, you will explore why they are crucial in screenwriting and how they breathe life into your narratives. By dissecting common character archetypes within the Heroic Journey, you wil...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, 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, in this video from In Depth Cine, they’re breaking down Greig Fraser’...

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...

Starting your screenwriting career can be a daunting task, especially for new writers seeking to sell their scripts and captivate audiences with their stories. The Heroic Journey, a powerful narrative framework deeply rooted in well-known storytelling, holds the potential to breathe life into characters, the moral premise, and your dramatic structure. Last week we covered what the Heroic Journey is, where it originated, and when you should consider applying it in your own storytelling. If you...

Last year, I snagged a 2nd Rounder badge at the Austin Film Festival with my script Kira and Henry and sat in on a roundtable led by Larry Postel, a non-represented screenwriter living in Dallas. Larry’s story is unique in that he has managed to have four original spec screenplays purchased, produced, and released since 2020. Larry told us his secret; he sent out query emails after doing lots of research on who would be a good producer for his scripts. He didn't have a manager and I had thought...

You’re ready to pitch your TV series idea. You’re there, in the room or on Zoom, you’re nervous as hell but you know your stuff, you’ve got this, you draw a deep breath, you say that much-practiced logline and end with “it’s X meets Y!” Someone somewhere told you to use “comps”, so you picked two shows or films that bear some resemblance to your show and put them together. They told you to pick comps that were profitable to show your project will be too, but what does “profitable” even mean in t...