Advice

2022 was a big year for many people, but for me, it was the year that brought me the ultimate reward I could ever dream of: Selection in the Student Academy Awards!   From the early days of my university college education, I have always been inclined to make movies that reflect both: the world and the imagination I grew up with. So I decided to pursue my career in film-making and look for opportunities where I could get my work in front of people. While I would ultimately win an award from my...

I don’t know about you, but my inbox these days is flooded with newsletters with headlines like “Do this before you set goals for 2023!” or “Jumpstart Your 2023!” Personally, I love this time of year as a chance to do a year-in-review assessment coupled with goal-setting for the new year. But this year, I’m taking a different look at things. In October, I offered a session at the DFW Writers’ Conference on Next Level Career Planning for creatives. When I asked for audience feedback on the type...

My travels as an author, screenwriter, and feature magazine article writer have allowed me to visit some very exotic places all over the world, and it all started in The Bronx. I attended a Hollywood film school and graduated with honors. I also have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and I am a Six Sigma Master Black Belt. I guess you could say it was a unique education. But I learned a lot of things that they don’t teach in film school. And I’m still learning. Screenwriting can be a lonely...

Believe it or not, social media is a serious public relations platform. It doesn’t matter if you hate it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have time for it. What matters is – are you a creative, and do you want people to see your work? The key is to make it easy for people to connect with you. For the people just starting out, who are on a zero budget, and who have no idea where to begin when you become a Stage 32 member, this post is for you. Of course, if you already have a publicist and hav...

FOMO: (Fear of Missing Out) – that anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media. Have you ever found yourself scrolling your Instagram or Twitter or Facebook for hours, lingering on those posts where mega deals are entered into by your fellow Artists? Or as they go LIVE on their Social to show off being on set on a film or tv show? Are you feeling dejected when friends, your fellow artists, or even total stran...

Last time on “Six Degrees of Stage 32”, we discussed the relationships that begin from in-person networking events. Speaking from experience, my creative partner and I recently wrapped up our most challenging proof-of-concept short film yet - “Sanctuary,” the Short Film. Where did we meet? A Stage 32 in-person networking event in Los Angeles, CA! Click here to read more about how we met in Part 1 of “Six Degrees of Stage 32”. While not everyone is so fortunate to attend film festivals, win mento...

A few years back, there was a lively debate right here on Stage 32 about whether short films could make money, then shifted to if there they were even worthwhile... Actually, it's not a matter of debate or opinion; it's an etched-in-stone fact that short films can make money. I've had three short films make money. There are countless other examples of shorts that made money, quite a bit of money actually, like the short by Peter Sollet 5 Feet High & Rising, which became Raising Victor Vargas....

Creatives usually don’t like being limited or bound by time. Expressing your creative thoughts through words, imagining worlds, coming up with plots and twists, and giving life to characters isn’t something you should rush. But what happens when you face the challenge of rewriting the screenplay? This task usually comes with a deadline that you need to respect. You can be the most talented screenwriter but if you don’t act respectfully towards the people who are willing to bring your play to l...

Okay, you are a licensed Stunt Performer. What now? Firstly, I used to say to myself, "Now that you have the license to act as a human crash dummy, don't be a dummy!" What it means is to look after yourself. Because the most challenging work, the most difficult part, is just beginning. After your initial grading, you will become a stunt action personnel (again, this may vary from country to country). What it means is that you are pretty much a trainee. You can be onset and work; however, you...

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. December means the holidays have arrived, and the count down to the end of the...