Distribution
Distribution Stage 32 Blogs
Why (and How) to Join the Writers Guild of America
So, you’re a writer and you’ve written some scripts that have been optioned, maybe even produced, or someone hired you to write on a series. Congratulations, you’re off to a great start. Now what? Keep writing, because that’s your job as a professional. If you are hired to write for a company who is a signatory of the Writers Guild of America, either East or West, you will be required to join. A signatory company is any company that has signed the WGA’s collective bargaining agreement. What...


In the News: How Stage 32 Became A Global Powerhouse By Combining Entertainment And Tech
Happy Monday Creative Army! As you know, Stage 32's continued mission is to democratize the entertainment business and the industry is taking notice in a big way. In addition to our previous coverage in Business Insider (check out the articles here and here), The Wrap, Variety, CNN, and more - I am pleased to announce our recent feature in Forbes. I had the pleasure of speaking with Forbes Senior Contributor Shama Hyder about growing the Stage 32 community, how Stage 32 has become a "global...


Coffee & Content: Every 2021 Oscar-Nominated Film on Netflix & Behind the Scenes of "Mank"
Happy Oscar Sunday Creative Army! With the much anticipated 2021 Oscars taking place this evening, naturally, I have some Oscars-themed content for you today. I've got my coffee in hand and your Oscars content coming in hot - grab your coffee of choice and let's dive right in. First up, Netflix UK & Ireland has compiled a full list of 2021 Oscar-Nominated films that are currently available to watch on Netflix. While you likely won't be able to watch all 37 available films before the big...


Top 10 Lounge Posts: Check It Before You Wreck It
You’re waiting in the wings before walking on stage, but you’re worried about last looks for hair and make-up. You’re researching locations before submitting a budget, but you’re not sure if filming on location or in-studio is safer or worth it. You’re writing a particularly powerful scene, but you’re not sure if the joke lands to break the tension. Even in our virtual workplace, we still have the ability to gain perspective before making an important decision by posting in the Stage 32 Lounges!...


"Ask Me Anything" with Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto: The Great Content Gold Rush of 2021 Edition Now Available On-Demand
Happy Thursday Stage 32 Community! Since 2011, the Stage 32 team has been working tirelessly to help you stay connected, creative, motivated, and informed. As always, we are committed to bringing you networking opportunities, education and mentoring from top-level industry executives and professionals, and access to decision-makers around the globe all from the comfort of your own home. Recently, to celebrate a successful first quarter of 2021, our fearless leader and CEO Richard "RB" Botto...


Instagram Live Series: How to Sell a TV Movie & How to Turn a "Pass" into a Positive Experience
Happy Saturday Stage 32! As many of you may know, I host an Instagram LIVE every week on @stage32 highlighting some amazing Stage 32 members from all over the world. We cover everything from how to shoot a short film 100% remotely to how to how to master the art of a director/composer relationship and more. Recently, I had the supreme pleasure of chatting with two powerhouse Stage 32 members that have been working hard to make magic happen in their entertainment careers in 2021 - and they have...


How I Got Distribution on a Film with No Producers
In 2017, I had a weird epiphany about an opportunity realized I had. Long story as short as possible, I had a 77-page Horror/Thriller script that I realized I could actually shoot, and thus, have my first feature film as a Writer/Director. By 2018 the script was totally finished. I submitted it to a few Stage 32 written pitch sessions and I got some really supportive feedback. Notably one exec requested to see other loglines I had and even requested one script, but the important part was that...


How I Won 1st Runner Up in the 2020 AFM Pitch Conference
It’s safe to say that 2020 was one hell of a year! From an apocalyptic type pandemic, to a hot and heavy political climate, to our economy nearly crashing, it really had it all. Unfortunately for me, I was one of the unlucky ones that found myself out of work. This turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise though, because it gave me more free time. During my down time, a friend of mine asked me to read the first draft of his feature script, and I happily obliged. Reading his script and giv...


Stage 32 New Blood Contest Finalists Land Shopping Agreement with Major International Sales Agency !
From Alex Montilla Kheireddine El-Helou and I met while working as assistants in the editing room of 'The Muppets' in 2011 and immediately formed a bond based on a love of genre films and filmmaking, often discussing ideas for films we wanted to make. Through his award-winning short horror film, 'Drudge', Kheireddine got representation and some industry attention and was ready to make the move into features. So, in 2015, he told me his loose idea for a super low-budget movie he wanted to ma...


How To Protect the Financier’s Position on Independent Film Projects
The financier has a prominent position in independently produced and distributed films. It may be safe to say that the majority of independent films would not get made, if there was no involved of an external film financier investing equity or providing a production loan. However, despite of its essential role, generally the film financier’s control on the film’s production, distribution and receipt and disbursement of revenues is limited. The producer controls the production. Typically,...

