Filmmaking

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. This week’s featured video comes from Vanity Fair: How EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick Created “Golden” From KPop Demon Hunters. EJAE and Mark take us through a rare, intimate look inside their creative process as they unv...

In these dangerous times of excessive greed, cruelty, and oppression in too many places around the world, we count on our artists and activists, policy-makers, and regular people to recognize and counter this Love of Death & Destruction. Why does it happen? How can we best address it towards that ideal of “The greatest good for the greatest number”? Some of you may be creating fiction pieces, historical, contemporary, or futuristic, about oppression, killers, war, and destruction. Some...

“You have to let it all go, Neo. Fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind. — Morpheus, The Matrix There is freedom that comes with detachment. It is often misunderstood—seen as indifference or withdrawal—when, in truth, it is one of the most liberating practices a creative person can learn. Detachment gives space for peace, clarity, and new ideas to flow. It is less about stepping away and more about loosening your hold on what you cannot control. Why Detachment Matters Holding on too t...

The team and I just returned from the Austin Film Festival, and I can't underestimate the power of putting yourself out there. After talking with hundreds of writers, filmmakers, and producers over the past few days, it's clear that creatives are increasingly thinking globally. Multiple filmmakers approached us to share how they're shooting internationally, partnering with global production companies, and leveraging local tax incentives to push their projects forward. New production hubs are e...

Producing an independent film is an exercise in patience, collaboration, and controlled chaos. The journey of bringing After All to life was no exception. In this blog, I want to pull back the curtain on what producers actually do for your film, and how the right producing team can make all the difference when navigating the unpredictable world of indie filmmaking. The Early Stage: Building the Foundation In the beginning, when the script is finished and the director’s vision starts to crysta...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. The team over at Corridor Crew recently dropped an incredible video: ONE YEAR of Work for TEN SECONDS of Film. If you love The Matrix, filmmaking, or just watching artists push the boundaries of what’s possible, this...

In this survival guide, I'll be focusing 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 of the beast. Costume & Make-up Design If there is one thing...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! I am so excited to share that the Stage 32 Community Open House is back this October — and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and completely reimagined with you at the center. If you’ve attended a Stage 32 Open House in the past, you know it’s one of our most energizing community events — a place to meet fellow creatives, learn how to make the most of the platform, and leave feeling inspired to take your next big step. But this month’s event is completely new. This is...

The Rollercoaster By the time I arrived in Austin a few weeks before filming After All, the experience had already been an exercise in patience and perseverance. Five years had passed since development on the project officially began. As this was my second feature film, I had hoped things might move a bit faster. My first feature, Fair Haven, took about ten long years from start to finish. Two of After All’s development years were lost to a global pandemic, but regardless, the creative part of...

On behalf of the Writers Guild South Africa (WGSA), it is my great pleasure to extend a heartfelt thank you to Stage 32, David Zannoni, and Sam Sokolow for the outstanding webinar recently hosted for our WGSA members, and for your decision to partner with the Guild to offer Stage 32 Certification courses to our writers. As someone deeply committed to the advancement of South African screenwriters and storytellers, I am genuinely excited about the opportunities this partnership brings to our crea...