Filmmaking

For many filmmakers, the film festival acceptance is one of their biggest dreams realized – even now as more people share and stream content from their homes than ever before, the allure of the festival hasn’t dampened. Not for me at least, and I imagine many of you too. The feeling of going up to the theatre, seeing your name and your film in the program, and most of all – seeing your work play in front of a real live audience. Not to mention networking with your fellow filmmakers and maybe eve...

In an industry dominated by blockbuster franchises, it’s easy to forget that nearly 94% of films are produced independently. These films bring raw creativity to the screen—unfiltered, diverse, and often deeply personal. Behind every independent film, there’s a story not just of artistic ambition but of resilience, resourcefulness, and sometimes sheer survival. This article explores why so many filmmakers choose the independent path, how they sustain themselves amidst challenges, and why big stud...

During my filmmaking career, I've run the gambit on all different sides of production. Back in Baltimore, I worked with skeleton crews writing, directing, and doing sound on my own productions. Since moving to Los Angeles I've found a lot of work on set sound mixing, and I wanted to give some easy, actionable steps that can help all filmmakers, at every budget level, get the best sound possible. My sound kit from “Sexy Dex.” 1) Knowing The Tools Most sound mixers start with what we call a “...

Writer's block, the worst enemy of my creative mind, has been the talk of much contemplation and study in the realm of writing and psychology. The Breakout Principle, a concept that I use as a shift into mental focus to overcome obstacles, has emerged as a potential antidote to the paralyzing effects of writer's block. This method has served me well. At its center, writer's block is a psychological barrier and is internal, not external. It impedes the creative flow of ideas and words. It often...

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...

When I was a tiny baby screenwriter with no experience, no credits, no hope, no foot in any door, and no connections in the industry, I thought that landing a gig where I would be paid to write was almost impossible to achieve. Until, one day, a producer reached out to me and said… “I have two costumes and a barn. Can you write me something?” That sentence led to a series of events that have now culminated in my first TV show being greenlit. Was it magic? No. It was work. Here’s how it...

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. First up, in this video essay by Film Stack, they’re diving into the turning points of Tom Hardy’s career, his setbacks, his relentless rise, his toughest productions, and the reason you don’t see him in as many films as before. This is the story of an actor who fought his way back from the bottom. He’s...

Hi, Stage 32ers! After an amazing and truly inspiring experience at Focus London 2024 representing Stage 32 Certification, a long-time vision and dream of our CEO Richard “RB” Botto, that I am so fortunate to help bring to life, I am returning home to continue our work of democratizing the production industry with greater enthusiasm than ever (and it was already through the roof). I was so excited by the Stage 32 panel I hosted on telling authentic, original stories from wherever you are wi...

A wonderful piece of ART – that’s the only way I can describe Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). But who am I to judge? This movie doesn’t need my validation; it has 193 wins and 484 nominations to its name, including 4 Academy Awards, such as Best Picture and Best Director. Made with a modest budget of $18 million, it grossed over $103 million worldwide, proving that daring, experimental cinema can resonate with audiences and critics alike. But here’s the catch: this isn’t your...

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. First up, in this Film Courage interview, Carole Kirschner shares 5 traits that you need to succeed in the entertainment business. Carole spent fifteen years as a television development executive, former Vice President of Television for Steven Spielberg's first Amblin Entertainment, and a Comedy Developm...