Filmmaking

Happy Sunday Creative Army! For the last week, it has been non-stop here at Stage 32. Ever since we announced our screening initiative to help filmmakers affected by the SXSW cancellation, support from the media and the Stage 32 community has been constant and awe-inspiring. On behalf of my entire team here at Stage 32, we thank you for your epic support. We may have even shouted our thanks from a rooftop or two. The submissions are rolling in, and we are thrilled to be giving these displaced...

Hello Stage 32! As you know, it has been a wild week here on Stage 32. Last Friday, due to Coronavirus concerns, SXSW was officially canceled. Since then, hundreds of filmmakers who were eagerly awaiting recognition, exposure, and opportunities found themselves scrambling for recourse. On Monday, we announced that we were offering a solution to help the filmmakers that were displaced by the cancellation. The support and media coverage has been overwhelming and awe-inspiring as the indie film...

Hello Stage 32! As you know, it has been the good kind of crazy all week here at Stage 32. On Monday, we announced that we are screening official selection SXSW 2020 films that have been affected by the cancellation of the festival last week. If you are new to the party, you can find the announcement here, the amazing media support here, the epic Stage 32 and indie film community rallying here, and the continuing media blitz here.  So here we are, Friday, March 13th, 2020. The day filmmakers...

Hello Stage 32! As you have likely heard by now, Stage 32 is screening the films affected by the recent SXSW cancellation (more info here, here, & here). The response has been magnificent, and we here at Stage 32 are in awe of the boundless support the entire world has for independent film. When we first made the announcement on Monday, Variety, Screen Daily, IMDb, and Broadway World were quick to share our message. Since then, we have had over 50 publications, blogs, and fellow entertainmen...

Hello and Happy Wednesday Stage 32! WOW. What an endlessly epic few days it has been here at Stage 32. For those of you who may not have heard the news, Stage 32 is screening films affected by the SXSW cancellation (kindly find all the info here). Since the announcement on Monday, support has been constant and ever-growing. So far, we have had over 25 pieces of media coverage published from outlets like Variety, CNN, and more.  I know I speak for everyone at Stage 32 when I offer a resoundin...

Hey guys. It’s been a wild 96 hours or so around these parts. Since conceiving the idea of assisting the filmmakers impacted by the cancellation of SXSW by screening their films here on Stage 32, we’ve been working non-stop. (If you missed yesterday’s announcement, click here.) It’s been an adrenaline-fueled period of logistical planning, development, programming, graphic design, PR writing, working with the press, interviews, and about 100 other things I’m likely forgetting. We’ve been fueled...

Hello Creative Army! We really need your help in spreading the word! As you have likely heard by now, the 2020 SXSW festival was canceled due to concerns about the health and safety of attendees and the Coronavirus. As filmmakers, producers, screenwriters, and actors ourselves, all of us at Stage 32 are devastated for everyone impacted by the cancellation of SXSW.  Over the last few days, we have heard from hundreds of Stage 32 members who played a part in the films impacted by the cancell...

Happy International Women's Day Creative Army! Is your coffee ready? I'm about to bring you some white-hot content featuring some powerhouse female filmmakers on this very special International Women's Day edition of Coffee & Content.  We have had some amazing films led by female filmmakers in the last year. Little Women (Greta Gerwig), The Farewell (Lulu Wang), Booksmart (Olivia Wilde), A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Marielle Heller), and Hustlers (Lorene Scafaria) to name a few. Howe...

Call me J.C. - I will be offering blogs from time to time about the process of writing and promoting screenplays. I perhaps am no expert, but I started writing professionally 63 years ago…when I was 16. So, I’ve invested a lot of effort into the process. You name it, I’ve written it, and supported my wife and family well by it. The problem has always been that I’ve been so busy (because I wouldn’t dare to say no to a commercial client), that my creative writing (read Screenwriting) has alw...

We've all had that script or project that we have poured our hearts, souls, and time into. You do the Hollywood hustle networking game and finally, land that big pitch meeting. You passionately pitch your project and eagerly await the executive's praise. Instead, they ask you point blank "what else do you have?"  This question is a staple in any pitch meeting, so it is imperative to know how to answer it when the time comes. Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto and Director of Script Services Jason...