Filmmaking

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...

I remember seeing the van speeding toward my vehicle. When it struck, the impact sent a shudder through my nerves. Fortunately, I had enough sense to lean away from the window, so my head didn’t smash through the glass but only slammed into it with a mild “thud”. I was left with a bump on my head instead of a concussion, or worse. The car, sadly, did not fare as well: it was a write-off. Later, I learned that a piece of the engine had been propelled through the bodywork and had missed me by i...

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...

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. Whether you’re building worlds on set or crafting the story that brings them to life, the journey of a creative is all about transforming ideas into reality. This week’s Coffee & Content is here to inspire and empower you to tackle those challenges head-on. First up, in this fantastic video, Adam Savag...

Over the last 8 years in LA as a director and producer, I feel like I've seen so many sides of the filmmaking world. I've done backyard shorts with friends and family with guerilla shooting, I've done features for over a million dollars, I've directed a big studio episodic for TV, and I’ve even funded my own short docs. As everyone in the industry knows, this work can be intense. We often have long hours. We give 120% of our brain power dissecting scripts, making shot lists, and scouting locat...

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! As many of you already know, Stage 32 Certification has been bringing new film commissions, institutes, colleges, streamers, and other organizations into the mix on a consistent basis. This week we’re thrilled to welcome the Pittsburgh Film Office to Stage 32 Certification! The Pittsburgh Film Office and Stage 32 are excited to partner to bring Certification opportunities to creative professionals in the Pittsburgh, PA area. This is their chance to get certifie...

Last year, I watched a YouTube video interview with a working screenwriter who said it took him ten years to make a feature film. What a coincidence; that’s how long it took me to make a deal for Purgatory Station, recently released on Amazon Prime, Fandango, and Tubi. And when I say a feature, I don’t mean a microbudget indie that plays on the festival circuit. I mean a film with a legitimate distributor that gets it onto proven streaming networks. At the risk of immodesty, this was a goal I wo...

Happy Tuesday, Stage 32 Community! Our Stage 32 Team has been working diligently to bring in new educational and mentoring resources and opportunities to this fantastic community! This January, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, award-winning writers, producers, directors, cinematographers, coaches, consultants, authors, actors, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on or represented such projects as JOY RIDE, NOW YOU SE...

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 by In Depth Cine, he’s analyzing the most common 4 reasons why starting a career in filmmaking can be so difficult. All of his points are topics that I’ve spoken on before and we provide many courses right here on Stage 32 where working professionals can help you better understand...

Fun. The main reason most of us got into (or are trying to get into) the film and TV industry is because it sounds so much fun! And it is - some of the best times of my life have been on set. I have been lucky enough to have filmed all over the world, from Pinewood to Bollywood and from Montana to the Sahara. I’ve worked on some really wonderful productions and I’ve been on some really awful productions that if I could get in my TARDIS, travel back in time, and change that timeline - then I woul...