Cinematography

She sat at her large, dark pine desk, wrapped in her brown knit cardigan. Her shoulders were hunched, as usual. Her jaw was tight. “I’m running out of time. I need to maximise my time and do as much as I can. I need to hurry up and write,” she thought. But everything from the neck down felt like a ton of bricks. She felt beyond tired. Beyond depleted. And filled with nothing but dread about the day ahead. A day where she would likely produce nothing at all, or at least nothing she felt remotel...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Let’s kick things off with a huge shoutout to everyone who has already jumped into this month’s Introduce Yourself Weekend. Thousands of creatives from around the world are connecting, sharing their stories, and building relationships that will lead to collaborations, opportunities, and lifelong friendships. If you haven’t yet made your introduction, you’ve still got time! Head over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the weekend wraps. Be bold....

What’s up, Creative Army! It’s been a wild start to 2025 for the entertainment industry as a whole. And I know many of you have been feeling it, too. Between my travel schedule, the LA fires that hit close to home, the ongoing M&A (mergers and acquisitions) activity reshaping the business, and the powerful resurgence of independent film, I’ve been on the ground, in the meetings, and having conversations with industry leaders every single week. And let me tell you… there’s a LOT happening rig...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or just taking time to dream up your next big idea, I’ve got some fresh inspiration to keep that fire lit. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. First up, let’s talk about the start of something great. I’ve always believed the first few moments of any project are crucial. You’ve got one shot to hook your audience, and how you deliver that opening can make all the difference....

My fellow filmmakers, my name is Tim Ogletree and I’ve been chasing this thing since January 2009, just on the heels of the 2007-2008 WGA strike. After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a Radio-TV-Film degree, I made the official move out to LA with a pretty killer short film and a truck full of clothes, books, and DVDs. The short caught some eyes, landed my writing partner and me a manager, and catapulted us into meetings and pitches that led to our first feature script. Tw...

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! “This is a community for you, built by you.” When I was conceiving Stage 32 way back in 2009, those were some of the first words I wrote down on a legal pad I titled THE MISSION. The mission hasn’t changed. The song remains the same. Many of you know the story. During our soft launch in 2011, I reached out to 100 of my industry friends and showed them the first version of Stage 32. I asked them to join and tell me what they liked and didn’t like about the pla...

Happy Thursday, Stage 32 Community! February is here, and with it comes a fresh lineup of educational opportunities to help you elevate your creative skills and take your career to the next level! From screenwriting and acting to cinematography and production, these webinars, classes, and labs are led by top industry professionals who are here to guide you every step of the way. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the incredible webinars, classes, and labs we have lined up this month. Each of...

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. If there’s one question that every filmmaker asks themselves, it’s “Where do I put the camera?” It's a deceptively simple question, but as we all know, the answer can make or break a scene. This week, we’re diving into an insightful video essay by Every Frame a Painting, which explores the critical thoug...

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 by Vanity Fair, Wicked Director Jon M. Chu and Cinemato...

The television and film industry is often perceived as glamorous, fast-paced, and competitive. While it can be all of those things, there is one aspect that underpins success in this industry: community and collaboration. No matter how talented or driven you are, forging meaningful relationships and fostering a spirit of collaboration is essential for building a sustainable career in entertainment. Why Community Matters in Film and Television Shared Knowledge and Mentorship The entertainmen...