Filmmaking

The production of content, whether film, television or other media, is a complex and multifaceted process that requires careful attention to legal considerations. Production legal, while sometimes overlooked, plays a large role in shaping the overall picture of a production, and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth execution of content creation. From securing the chain of title to navigating contractual obligations, production legal is essential for safeguarding the creative and financial...

Hey, Creative Army! Every year thousands of filmmakers flock to Park City, UT for one of America's most well-known festivals celebrating independent cinema, Sundance! Some of the industry’s most legendary films and filmmakers have been born out of independent film. It's always an exciting time for creatives and film enthusiasts to congregate and celebrate new independent films and collaborate on the shifts in the industry. In Stage 32's continuing effort to contribute to diversity, equality,...

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 from The Hollywood Reporter, we see the directors from some of last year's most talked-about films discuss their visions, inspirations, and big takeaways from their recent work. The roundtable includes Ava DuVernay (ORIGIN), Blitz Bazawule (THE COLOR PURPLE), Bradley Cooper (MAEST...

Most of you will know me from previous blogs on this site, and most of the time those blogs tend towards contentious subject matter. If this is your first time reading me, welcome. My name is Tennyson E. Stead and I’m a writer and director who has worked in disciplines ranging from film finance to gaffing and grip. As a screenwriter, script doctor, and ghostwriter, I’ve written more than 50 screenplays and I’ve been paid for a sizable percentage of those. My directing and editing have won awa...

Four Practical Habits to Help Creatives Stay Grounded and Achieve Consistent Results. "It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward." - Chinese proverb As actors, we all have huge dreams and aspirations: one day winning an Oscar, being on a Broadway stage, getting into Marvel-ready shape, or getting that top-tier agent. For better or worse, we think big and relentlessly pursue our goals. We sprint towards them, stum...

Over the last 7 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 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 interview with Sofia Coppola from BFI, the filmmaker takes a look back on her filmmaking journey. Not only the many critically acclaimed and award-winning films she's made over the years but also the impact her upbringing has had on her perspective and the stories she tells. Next up,...

Hi, Stage 32 Community! Our Stage 32 Team has been working diligently to bring in as many new resources and opportunities as possible to enrich your experience here in our community in 2024! At Stage 32 you have direct access to industry professionals who’ve overseen the stunt performance, music supervision, written, produced, directed, developed, consulted on, and represented acclaimed projects like THE MEG, AQUAMAN, PLAYING FOR KEEPS, KONG SKULL ISLAND, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: SALAZAR’...

Yep. MAGPIE FUNERAL, my newest film, was almost dead on arrival. But hey, what independent film can’t say that? Here are three crazy stories about MAGPIE FUNERAL, now streaming on TubiTV, Amazon Video, YouTube, and Google Play. Story One: TIMING IS EVERYTHING. John T. Sweeney, Magpie Funeral’s producer, insisted that the production must start in mid-October of that year. I had the following January in mind. But John persisted. He explained it was imperative principal photography commenced...

Happy New Year, Stage 32 Community! January is always an exciting time. As we step away from the warm afterglow of the holiday season, there’s an entire new year stretching out ahead of us with endless possibilities. With that in mind, our Stage 32 Education Team has worked hard to bring incredible education opportunities and resources to this fantastic community. This January, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, music supervisors, showrunner assistants, c...