Advice

Hey, Stage 32ers! I hope you're all making great progress on your creative projects this week! This weekend is Introduce Yourself Weekend here at Stage 32. To celebrate, we have an in-person meet-up for those in Los Angeles (click here to RSVP) and some advice on how to come out of your shell to connect with our worldwide community from our CEO Richard 'RB' Botto in the vlog below.  If you would like more great industry and career advice, as well as inside access to what's happening behin...

I don’t know when inspiration happens to you, but for me, it’s in the wee small hours of the morning before my mind and emotions become the loudest voices in the room. It’s when I first awake, when I am not quite “all there”. It’s in the magic original minutes before the myriad of daily concerns rush back into my consciousness. That’s when my inspiration manifests and when anything seems possible. In those moments I can see the path ahead clearly and know what I have to do. No concerns, const...

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the impacts of climate change, individuals and industries alike are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint. The film industry is no exception, with many professionals and companies taking steps to minimize their environmental impact. As a 30-year veteran in the film industry and a 6-year neophyte in sustainability, I've seen firsthand the need for sustainable practices in film production. It's no secret that the industry is known for its lavish...

I started pitching my Horror Comedy game show, JUMP SCARES, near the start of March. I was pitching it on Stage 32 (I posted my show in the Logline Section of my profile). Pitching a project on Stage 32 is great – I recommend doing it! – but it wasn't this alone that led to my signing a shopping agreement. That happened from networking in the Stage 32 Lounges. IT STARTED WITH A LOUNGE POST In the past, I had been a lurker. But, after being inspired by Stage 32 CEO Richard Botto's call to step...

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 have a fantastic video from CinemaStix looking at how the John Wick franchise was able to get made while being made by "no names." Now, were Chad Stahelski and David Leitch really no-name creators? Absolutely not. These were two stunt performers who pushed back against the idea that as perfo...

It's hard being an actor or any type of freelance artist. Few freelance artists, whether they be actors, videographers, crew members, scriptwriters, photographers, etc… are able to make a living in their field. Especially, at the beginning of their career. Instead of taking on a 9:00-5:00 job that takes you away from pursuing your chosen art form, why not find some great side hustle jobs to bring in additional income? You might even be able to find jobs that are in your field. Here are 10...

Hey, Stage 32ers! I hope you're all making great progress on your creative projects this week! We always want you to be up-to-date on what's happening in the industry so that you can set yourself up for success. Now that the WGA has asked for strike authorization (a totally expected move), there's a lot of talk about what this means for content and spending when there are so many reports of fear and contraction. Here to break down for you what's happening with content in the midst of all this...

Trying to rigidly adopt a writing process and methodology can be a heartless exercise. I beat myself up for years because my execution of the story did not match the guidance of the best teachers. Not that I am criticizing anyone for working that way. In fact, I say more power to you, but it isn’t always a method that has worked for me. I finally had to surrender to my own instincts, my Voice regarding my methods and process. Some writing teachers advise you to determine your theme before you...

Are you dreaming of becoming a filmmaker? Do you have an idea for a film that you're ready to bring to life? If so, you're in the right place. While you might be thinking about those days on set, it's what comes after them that can make or break your project. Editing is a crucial part of the filmmaking process, and it can be one of the most rewarding. Let's go through what you need to make it happen... Beginning the Editing Process Before you start editing your film, you need to make sure you...

Last year, my co-creator friend Stephani Prescott and I had just entered a development agreement with Cindy Villareal (Majestic Productions), and it’s safe to say a lot has happened since! Cindy is one of the kindest, down-to-earth people you will ever meet, and it has been an absolute pleasure working with her. The development phase was critical as there is so much up-front work necessary to package everything up. We relied on Cindy’s guidance and expertise to get the pitch deck and lookbook...