Filmmaking

Hi, Stage 32! Today, we’re excited to bring you Part 3 in our Behind the Scenes blog series on the making of the international feature film ALIX, brought to life by an extraordinary group of Stage 32 creatives in collaboration with Catalyst Studios. Over the past few weeks, we’ve spotlighted the producers and actors who helped shape this powerful story, and today, we’re honored to hear directly from the visionary at the center of it all: writer and director Ana Maria Hermida. ALIX made its d...

Most people understand the concept of “Production.” They know cameras need to shoot footage to make a TV show but, for many, what happens between shooting and when the show airs is a mystery. That crucial, all-encompassing phase of the process is called “Post Production.” Even the term “Post” can be deceiving, because Post Production also involves participation during “Prep,” all the careful planning before shooting begins to make sure all the pieces are there for the final product. In short, Po...

Hi, Stage 32! Today, we’re back with Part 2 in our Behind the Scenes series on the making of the international feature film ALIX, created by a remarkable group of Stage 32 members in collaboration with Catalyst Studios. Over the next few weeks, we’re continuing to spotlight the incredible creatives behind the film- producers, directors, and talent- through exclusive blog interviews, AMAs in the Stage 32 community, and special features across social media.  As you know, at Stage 32, we celebr...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Let’s kick things off with a huge shoutout to everyone who has already jumped into this month’s Introduce Yourself Weekend. Thousands of creatives from around the world are connecting, sharing their stories, and building relationships that will lead to collaborations, opportunities, and lifelong friendships. If you haven’t yet made your introduction, you’ve still got time! Head over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the weekend wraps. Be bold. I...

Check it before you wreck it? Naw, we kind of love things to be a wreck in comedy. In fact, to amp up the tension, we have to dive headfirst into the wreck! And believe me - in 2022 as my drama/thriller team and I pulled “mockumentary” as our genre for the L.A. 48-Hour Film Project, we were a WRECK. Seriously, we had even lined up a Steadicam operator to attempt an “epic oner,” which felt like an epic fail when we had to figure out - how the hell are we going to find our “funny” in forty-eight h...

Hello, Stage32 Creative Community! I hope you are all good at these challenging times of creativity. Today, I'd like to talk about networking and how it can change the game for screenwriters. I am a communicator, but occasionally, I am not! I am not typically extroverted or introverted. It all depends on how I feel about the situation and the day. What did I do to achieve a balance between my two sides? Before I share it with you, I'd like to talk to you about something that became the ho...

The Calling . . . It was the summer of 2000, Y2K didn’t destroy the World and most of us were seeking our next big quest. I was in corporate sales and spent much time in the subways commuting and connecting. One of the most profound connections and lessons I’ve ever learned happened on the platform of 53rd & Lexington. You could feel a unique energy from the street level. A faint drumbeat resonated from the platform 3 levels down. Before I had a chance to notice, the drums controlled my foots...

Welcome back to TALKING BUSINESS: Insights from the Independent Film Industry, hosted by Stage 32 Thought Leader and Business Consultant, David Zannoni, from Freeway Entertainment and Zannoni Media. In TALKING BUSINESS, David brings you in-depth conversations on the behind-the-scenes of the filmmaking business with industry veterans. In today’s sixth episode, David is talking with Larissa Calva Ruiz, a US and Mexico qualified lawyer currently with Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC, who represen...

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, we’re taking a deep dive into how Nolan kickstarted his career with Following, a micro-budget noir thriller feature film shot on weekends with friends, using natural light and borrowed locations. This Stud...

Being pushed and shoved. Getting punched and kicked. Just another day in the office. Being hit by a car. Getting blown up. Just another day in the office. Yes, I am talking about the, for many years, overlooked unsung heroes of the entertainment industry: Stunt actors. I have been privileged to have been part of that unique group of people. Some call us daredevils. Others call us adrenalin junkies. Still, others refer to us as fools. We are none of these. We are actors, and the risks we ta...