Advice

Rule 1: Never tell the audience what they already know. Rule 2: Knowing what to leave out is as important as what to leave in.   The crux of this blog is "Never dramatize what the reader can imagine for themselves," at least for on-screen drama. Novelists may need to give this some thought. But for screenwriters letting the audience fill in the blanks of the on-screen story with their own imagination is infinitely more effective and powerful than walking them thro...

If you’re a first-time documentary filmmaker, as I was when I started making my “Land of the Free” films, you may not be aware of some of the expenses and challenges you are going to face in producing, polishing, and distributing your film. After years of trials, tribulations, and successes, here are the top lessons I wish I'd known (or at least thought to ask)... 1. The Script Everything in movie and stage production lives or dies by its script. What’s the story you want to tell? What i...

We flock to the entertainment industry for feelings. Whether we're creating it or consuming it, emotions drive us there. We are full of creativity and expression - and I love it. Feelings are our fuel. Call it passion, a need to inspire others, a desire to uplift, a yearning to connect, or even to receive validation. We are following or looking for a feeling when we act, write, direct, or go to the movies. And we rely heavily on our gut. It can dictate how to react in a scene, which word to w...

Happy New Year, Creative Army! Hope you all had a terrific holiday season and are now ready to launch into 2023. Those of you who have been around the site for a while know that on New Year's Day, we utilize the Stage 32 Blog to discuss and share our plans for the coming year. So... What are you looking to accomplish in 2020? What are your creative goals? What skills are you looking to learn? What fears are you looking to overcome? What strategies are you planning on implementing...

I've long since been on a writing hiatus. Call it treating myself. Call it writer's block. Call it what you will. What's important is that I am taking a mental health break on my own terms. This is necessary every now and then. Yes, it can be seen as lazy. Yes, it can be seen as a lack of creative energy. What I call it is: essential. There was a time in which my output was off the charts. Quite possibly unhealthy levels of writing. Of course, I write because I enjoy it. But, I had reached a cer...

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...