Filmmaking

Every day in this crazy LA film world I learn something new. I have been here for over 3 years now and have been able to go from a position of not knowing anyone to being able to produce a film that is doing the festival circuit all for a budget of $1,000. Being British has also made things harder.   How do you even start when you need to get a social security number a home address and a cell?   It can seem daunting. If I can do it, though, then so can you.       The first thing you ne...

Happy Sunday, everyone. In this edition of Coffee & Content, I have two videos focusing on two masters of craft.  First, it's Paul Thomas Anderson, director of Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will be Blood and The Master to name a few.  Next, it's a look at the editing style of Martin Scorcese's go to post-production specialist, the legendary Thelma Schoonmaker. Both vids provide a wealth of information and a deep dive into the thinking of two visionary creatives.  I hope you enjoy. Please...

On Thursday, August 3rd in LA, Stage 32 and Michael Wiese Productions are thrilled to bring you an intimate and educational evening with some of the industry's top writers, coaches and teachers working today. Join Jen Grisanti, Steve Kaplan, Christopher Vogler, Alvaro Rodriguez and Richard Botto for a timely panel on the craft and business of screenwriting in 2017 . Our esteemed panelists will be covering a wide range of topics including the current state of the industry, what’s hot in televis...

Happy Sunday to all.  Hope you're enjoying your weekend. For Coffee & Content this week, I bring you two videos centered around the magic of Stanley Kubrick.  As you know, Kubrick was the complete package - a master storyteller, a visionary in the use of light and sound and, of course, an actor's director. Nearly 20 years after his death, Kubrick's films are gifts that keep on giving and serve as inspiration for film creatives around the world. I hope you enjoy the content and ask, as alwa...

There is a wonderful book written by the outstanding African author Tsisti Dangarembga called Nervous Conditions. The shocking first line of the book is: "I was not sorry when my brother died". She wasn’t sorry, because it meant she could now go to school. I feel like that about what is happening in our business. I am glad we are in a disruption and that the old model is falling apart, because I feel the new data driven e-commerce model allows more diversity and this gives advantage to the...

Happy Sunday, everyone.  And for those celebrating in the States, a Happy 4th of July weekend. For Coffee & Content this week, I'm sharing two terrific videos I'm sure you'll all find enormously entertaining and informative. First, it's the Personal Storytelling of INSIDE OUT.  I'm sure many of you are familiar with the painstaking process all Pixar scripts go through from concept to screen.  This video provides some more insight into why INSIDE OUT was Oscar nominated and works as well as i...

We see posts here on Stage 32 and elsewhere posing the age-old question of how critical it is to live in LA to be a successful screenwriter/filmmaker and the usual replies are that it is probably beneficial but not necessary. Kinda like if swimming in the ocean is your thing, you should probably live near one. But that overlooks a larger question: How do you define “successful”? If the Holy Grail is Hollywood, get your butt out there. But I’ve discovered other definitions and forms of success...

Happy Sunday, 32'ers.  Hope you're all having a great weekend. For this edition of Coffee & Content, I bring you an article looking at how the screenplay for THE REVENANT came to life over the many years the project was in development and a video featuring the cinematography and world building of the upcoming BLADE RUNNER 2049. A little something for everyone.  Grab yourself a dark roast and dig in. As always, we ask that you share this blog entry through with other creatives you feel coul...

Times are changing for film, TV and web creators, and the SHAPE expo will explore how the convergence of technology and entertainment will impact your work. We are excited to open up a very unique opportunity for the Stage 32 community to purchase tickets for $25 ($100 normally) by using promo code ShapeOnStage at checkout, but hurry because space at the event is limited! Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty, The Hurt Locker) Spend your Friday night listening to Kathryn Bigelow, two-time Aca...

Hello Fellow Creatives! I wanted to bring you a Spring Progress report for the Stage 32 Happy Writers. Over the past few months, we’ve received feedback on over 120 requested scripts resulting in 27 meetings for Stage 32 writers including meetings from First 10 Pages Reviews, Script Coverage and Consulting! These writers met with 13 different management, agency, finance and production companies and entertainment law firms including:   Artillery Creative FX Networks Ineffable Pictures Br...