Filmmaking

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, we've got Vanity Fair interviewing two of the most acclaimed writer-directors of 2022 with GLASS ONION's Rian Johnson and EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE's The Daniels. Both films are praised for their ability to surprise audiences by subverting genre expectations, and this video is a great l...

Next week, I’m headed to Park City for my tenth Sundance Film Festival. As I think about how to prepare for this year’s edition, especially since the last two have taken place on my couch, I’m particularly excited about seeing folks in person. As the Executive Director of the Film Festival Alliance, I’ll be focused on seeing our members and hearing from them about their plans for the upcoming year. I’ll also try to squeeze in as many films as I can (the most I’ve ever seen is 25 in a week!). W...

Female Driven content has never been more exciting, diverse and commercial than it is today. Managers, producers and development executives are on the hunt for the next TAR, SMILE, FLEABAG or BRIDESMAIDS. The biggest shows and films in the world right now are Female Driven - we know you’ve heard of WEDNESDAY and EMILY IN PARIS! We’re here to give your Female Driven project that kind of success. Last year, we set up our winner with 9 one-on-one meetings with industry pros currently working on f...

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, we're looking at A.I. and its impact on filmmaking in a video from Film Riot. While many fear this new technology, there are some great benefits as well. This video looks at how A.I. can assist with the actual filmmaking process. However, the positives don't exist only during production but bef...

Last time on “Six Degrees of Stage 32”, we discussed the relationships either initiated or rekindled online through the Stage 32 platform. Speaking from experience, my creative partner and I recently wrapped up our most challenging proof-of-concept short film yet - “Sanctuary,” the Short Film. Where did some of our top talent come from? Relationships cultivated through Stage 32! Click here to read more about how we met in Part 2 of “Six Degrees of Stage 32”. While not everyone is so fortunate...

If you’re a first-time documentary filmmaker, as I was when I started making my “Land of the Free” films, you may not be aware of some of the expenses and challenges you are going to face in producing, polishing, and distributing your film. After years of trials, tribulations, and successes, here are the top lessons I wish I'd known (or at least thought to ask)... 1. The Script Everything in movie and stage production lives or dies by its script. What’s the story you want to tell? What i...

2022 was a big year for many people, but for me, it was the year that brought me the ultimate reward I could ever dream of: Selection in the Student Academy Awards!   From the early days of my university college education, I have always been inclined to make movies that reflect both: the world and the imagination I grew up with. So I decided to pursue my career in film-making and look for opportunities where I could get my work in front of people. While I would ultimately win an award from my...

Last time on “Six Degrees of Stage 32”, we discussed the relationships that begin from in-person networking events. Speaking from experience, my creative partner and I recently wrapped up our most challenging proof-of-concept short film yet - “Sanctuary,” the Short Film. Where did we meet? A Stage 32 in-person networking event in Los Angeles, CA! Click here to read more about how we met in Part 1 of “Six Degrees of Stage 32”. While not everyone is so fortunate to attend film festivals, win mento...

A few years back, there was a lively debate right here on Stage 32 about whether short films could make money, then shifted to if there they were even worthwhile... Actually, it's not a matter of debate or opinion; it's an etched-in-stone fact that short films can make money. I've had three short films make money. There are countless other examples of shorts that made money, quite a bit of money actually, like the short by Peter Sollet 5 Feet High & Rising, which became Raising Victor Vargas....

I’ve always liked challenges while creating stories. In my children's book, TONY'S BUTTERFLIES, I was challenged to create a book about the sensitive subject of death while keeping it kid friendly. After that book, I wanted to tackle the subject of mental health since it’s a personal subject for me. The challenge of trying to tell a story about mental health in a three-and-a-half-minute short seemed like a difficult story that would be fun to create. So I chose the next project: THE HAPPY STATUE...