Filmmaking

Food is important: biologically, emotionally, and culturally. To the detriment of all of us, our modern hurry-up culture persuades us that eating, like sleeping, are simply tasks that need to be marginalized for the sake of our productivity. What a lie. Food feeds not only our bodies, but also our senses. The creative mind is fed not only by the senses, but also by food. Furthermore, when we break bread together we foster community; when we prepare a meal for someone in need, we show compassio...

Good Morning, Creative Army!   Some really good (and maybe not so good) movie trailers from this weekend have sparked my desire to share some videos that can guide us filmmakers to a place where we turn out some really great trailers for our projects. First, coffee. Next, How to Make a Movie Trailer from our friends at Film Riot. Even when you're short on time, these tips can guide you to a powerful trailer that can attract attention. When you've finished watching that, dig into Good Tra...

One day during the summer after I walked my dogs for 3 miles to the ice cream stand (the walking part is crucial to justify the eating of ice cream), I dragged their tired little stump legs (they're dachshunds) up the ramp and proceeded to place my order: "Baby twist with chocolate sprinkles, please," I said. The nice lady on the other side of the window drew this on the order sheet: I figured she was outright ignoring me, daydreaming of an art class or something. But I continued with m...

Why you, why now? Why are YOU the one to write and sell the next big series, and why now? As Stage 32 Founder and CEO Richard "RB" Botto prepares to answer the question, "Where Can I Find Indie Producers Who Can Help Develop a Series?" with Stage 32's Director of Script Services Jason Mirch, RB stresses the importance of asking yourself: Why me, why now? Take a listen at the duo's feedback from RB's FREE webinar, "Ask Me Anything." The answer may move you to the next step with your serie...

If you’re a creative, then you already know that a large majority of us tend to be introverted. But if we allow that to stop us from crowdSOURCING and networking, we’ll never gain the competitive advantage that we need to push our project out to the masses. In this next video in the crowdsourcing video series hosted by Stage 32 CEO Richard “RB” Botto, the #1 best-selling author of Crowdsourcing For Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd, reminds us that giving selflessly and offerin...

Good Morning, Creative Army!   I love this part of my Sunday morning. I often pour over the trades, sip my fresh brewed bean, and search to find different videos that educate and inspire our creative crew here on Stage 32. This morning, we're digging into the role of the producer and pitching.   First up, What Is a Line Producer? [The Key Role of Line Producers]. There are various producer roles on a film, and knowing who does what is mighty important. Line producers have a role that req...

Are you ready to walk “into the room” and pitch to a decision-maker such as an agent, financier, producer, distributor or studio executive? Here are the top ten pitching tips to help you in a high-stakes situation. There are 5 Do’s and 5 Don’ts:   1) Do prepare for the five stages of the meeting. In Stage 1, you build rapport and warm up the room. In Stage 2, you ask questions and listen to show respect. In Stage 3, you deliver the prepared component of your pitch. In Stage 4, you d...

 In the five years I have been on Stage 32, I have read many threads and conversed with at least a dozen playwrights making the transition to screenwriting, in whole or in part. This is not surprising given the growing opportunities in the filmmaking and television industries and the shrinking budgets and opportunities in the theatre. In the past 20 years, I have written over twenty produced plays and musicals (I’m currently revising my 21st), for a variety of ages and audiences. Although, by...

Building, engaging, and moving an audience. That’s what the Crowdsourcing video series these past few weeks has been teaching you. As far as the advantage you’ll gain by reading the book? There’s more than one. Far more. Stage 32 CEO Richard “RB” Botto is the best-selling author of Crowdsourcing For Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd, the number #1 best-selling book on Amazon that covers how to find and move an audience to a point where they give back in ways that can only help...

This year at the Cannes Film Festival I had the opportunity to meet Heidi Philipsen, a dual-citizen filmmaker from the United States and Germany. With each country being different in the various ways they make films, Heidi realized that there is an opportunity for trans-Atlantic filmmakers to learn from one another and support each other creatively. So, she did something about it. Heidi put together a panel at the Hamburg Film Fest for Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) and NYWIFT...