Advice

Horror is debatably one of, if not the most misunderstood genres in film and television. Outside of "beloved" intellectual properties, it arguably has one of the most hardcore, savvy, and devoted audiences, but… what quantifies a proper Horror film? Tropes? Jump scares? Demonic creatures? Monsters? A psycho with a machete? How about all of the above? Let's dive in and break down a few subgenres highlighting the best and most diverse stories that will leave your minds twisted and your skin crawli...

As actors, we all have huge dreams and aspirations: one day winning an Oscar, being on a Broadway stage, getting into Marvel-ready shape, or getting that top-tier agent. For better or worse, we think big and relentlessly pursue our goals. We sprint towards them, stumble, pick ourselves back up, run again, fall, cry, take a few more steps, sometimes retreat, sometimes pause, jog a little, take a breather, or jump the tracks. Blinded by our passion, we often forget simple daily habits that yiel...

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. With the American Film Market, Austin Film Festival, and more industry events fast approaching, you better have your pitch ready to sell your project, get your name out there, and make connections. That's why we're giving you the tools you need to make sure you're prepared. First up, we've got a fantas...

We all need a little help every now and then. One of the greatest things about being a writer is that there are so many tools out there designed to help us. The problem is people don’t know they exist. When you’re a writer, you have to be a Jack (or Jill) of many trades and learn not just about writing but about editing and the business itself. It’s all part of honing our craft. And while, at times, the task may seem daunting, I’ve discovered a lot of online resources that I’ve found to be i...

It is thrilling after all your work on a film, to have the exhilarating experience of a dynamic and successful Q & A at a film festival with a packed audience. Conversely, most of us have experienced the shock of seeing a Q &A where no questions were asked. Worse is having your short-screened with others and ending up the only one not having a question asked after hearing, “Well, guys, that’s all we have time for as the next film is coming in.” You Can Pack Those Screenings You can have jamme...

Welcome back, my spooky Stage32 Community!Halloween is almost here, and in this survival guide, I'll focus on a checklist of things to keep in mind when shooting a horror film. It's no surprise that horror films cost less to produce and shoot. A good example is Jordan Peele’s Get Out. James Wan made his career with the SAW franchise. Horror films bring in lots of money at the box office, and audiences flock to the screen to get their fright on! With that in mind, let's dive right into the belly...

Our reality and environment consciously or subconsciously affects each of our characters in unique ways. Much like in our own personal lives, where we grew up can say a lot about us! The economic, political, and ideological forces of our society or the world at large make an immense impact on individuals. This can also be applied to world-building in film, television, and animation. The place our characters live in influences their journey, story, and behavior. Hence, world-building shou...

One year ago, I joined my first Writers' Room live class. I knew next to nothing about screenwriting - aside from what I read in Save The Cat - and was thirsty for knowledge. So much can happen in only a year. One year ago, I declared I wanted to be a screenwriter and dove into everything available on Stage 32. Today we are in pre-production for one of the five scripts I've since written. Another one of my scripts has a director and producer attached, awaiting to solidify financing so we can...

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. They say that in Hollywood, it's all about who you know. In honor of Introduce...

On the path to becoming a full-time screenwriter, you will ask yourself, Do I need representation? Do I need an agent or a manager? Do I need both?  Here at Stage 32, we're big believers that you make your own success. Therefore, you may not feel you need a rep. But reps are champions for their clients and can work with you to create opportunities and success. You already know what's needed in your portfolio when you want to approach a potential literary manager. So today, we're talking to our...