Filmmaking

Happy Tuesday, Stage 32 Community! If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the path to success in this industry is rarely linear, but with the right education and guidance, your momentum becomes unstoppable. Every day, I get to connect with so many of you: writers, directors, producers, actors, and crew who are putting in the work to build meaningful careers. And it’s my absolute joy to help you find the tools, resources, and industry mentors that can move your projects forward and g...

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...

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. First up, let’s talk tech. Technology is reshaping the entertainment industry in more ways than ever. From post-production tools and screenwriting software to animation programs and platforms like Stage 32 that educa...

Happy Spring! As we welcome a new season, life often calls for a shift—not in speed, rather in perspective. In this case, I am talking about how we choose to see abundance in our creative lives. Abundance is not always about having more. It is about knowing when to move and when to pause. For many, the times in our industry are still uncertain. With shifting trends, new business models, and redefining technology (think AI), you might feel like life is pulling you faster than you can keep up....

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...

Let me start by saying, I’m not a writer. My professional world is built around cinema camera lens design and engineering (big shoutout to the Cinematography Lounge!). But when you’ve spent 17 years living with a writer and former development executive who eats, sleeps, and breathes story structure, character arcs, and prestige television… let’s just say it starts to rub off. In our house, conversations about film and television are as regular (and passionate) as debates about what’s for dinner....

In a past life, as they say, I worked in the Olympic Movement. I will wait while you drift off and think of only the glamorous side of that because yes, I was a Chief Press Officer at two Summer Games. But let me take you behind the scenes. There’s a popular expression, “It takes a village.” And people are also quick to whip out phrases like, “It takes teamwork to make the dream work.” But the fact of the matter is, there honestly was really only one person who was responsible for women’s fast...

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. I want to kick things off with a fantastic video from Vox that digs into how A24 went from a little-known indie film distributor to one of the most influential names in modern entertainment. From Moonlight to Everyth...

I’m always eager to find helpful insights for navigating life. Stoicism has been experiencing a resurgence of late, thanks in part to books like A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy and to Ryan Holiday, whose books and Daily Stoic emails have made the ancient precepts relevant for contemporary thinkers. Stoicism is a philosophy about finding happiness in the “now” moment. It’s about controlling your emotions and the thoughts you think to maximize your life experience. It’s a...

Happy Friday, Creative Army! If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your film to the Croisette, shaking hands with global buyers, or simply navigating the incredible whirlwind that is the Cannes Film Festival and its Marché du Film, this is for you. I’m thrilled to announce that this upcoming Wednesday, March 26th, we’re hosting a completely FREE webinar with the Executive Director of the Marché du Film, Guillaume Esmiol, to help you prepare for Cannes—whether this is your first time attending or...