Filmmaking

WARNING: Objects in mirror are closer than they appear, or is it that they may not be as close as they appear? I suppose it all depends on how they appear and how blind we’ve become to a message that’s under our noses everyday; I’ll come back to this. The mission you have chosen to accept in this industry is one of delivering a perspective. Whether you are writer, actor, director, producer, costumer, or gaffer. The projects you work on will all set out to deliver a perspective through the skil...

What is up Creative Army? Today, I wanted to share some exciting news. Our fearless leader, Rich "RB" Botto, who I have worked alongside for the last 10 years, has been recognized by Fast Company as a CEO and thought leader who has been disrupting the industry in which his company operates. As a result, RB has been officially named to the Executive Board of Fast Company. For nearly 25 years Fast Company has profiled some of the business industry's biggest disruptors -- companies that move FAST...

As a literature professor and a writing coach, I see a lot of first drafts. In fact, you might even say that first drafts are my specialty. My job in both cases is to guide the writers to a better understanding of their craft and to help them get clarity on the steps that will elevate their projects. Some drafts are in better shape than others when they hit my desk, and so I thought that I’d offer some strategies here to help you improve your first draft process. But first, a definition. What...

Now more than ever we could all use some wholesome, feel-good, entertainment that brings the whole family together. And that is just what audiences are looking for! Inspiring, fun, engaging feature films that are for the whole family - not just for kids! Thanks to classic films that leave a lasting impression such as BIG, HOME ALONE, PRETTY WOMAN, BACK TO THE FUTURE, THE GOONIES, and new hits such as THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES, A DOG’S JOURNEY, SPY KIDS, and more Family Friendly films offer some...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! First of all, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from every corner of the globe. Whether you are a long-time member, or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. Now, grab some fresh coffee and let's dive in to this week's pipi...

Stage 32's community is more than a safe space for creatives to find support and encouragement. It is the breeding ground for valuable insight and potential partnerships. This is entirely based on our collective agreement to add value in every endeavor. To each of you who have posted your victories, offered congratulations, or been an unwavering cheerleader in the Stage 32 Lounges, thank you. To those who have shared your hopes, goals, fears, and failures, you are seen and appreciated. To everyo...

I am a Distributor turned Filmmaker. I have a finance degree and a law degree and I spent the first 22 years of my film career in Distribution. Then I got the bug to become creative. I have since made and successfully self distributed 7 feature films, 3 of which are presently airing on Netflix worldwide (FULL OUT / FULL OUT 2 - YOU GOT THIS! / KISS & CRY). I provide consulting services to hundreds of indie filmmakers and the initial conversation usually goes like this: Jeff to Filmmaker: “Yo...

I’ve made a lot of movies. I started off as a Runner and worked my way up. I worked on 13 movies as a 1st AC & 2nd AC and Director of Photography before I became an award-winning Director & Writer in my own right. Having gone from Runner to director I have experienced the whole gauntlet of film making from the biggest shoots (Harry Potter and James Bond) to tiny micro-budget one-man crew shoots. I have seen many ways to do things effectively and simply. There are 6 main areas of filmmaking for...

Happy Wednesday, Creative Army I am happy to report another win for the Stage 32 community! The most uniquely creative and talented community on Earth has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as an example of the power niche communities like Stage 32 wield, and how they're setting the stage for the future of social media. The pandemic has taken a huge toll on the mental health of creatives and professionals within our industry and studies have shown that broad based social media platforms like...

So...many...pitches… That’s the God’s honest truth about what often runs through my mind when I check my inboxes. On social, on email, and anywhere I can be hunted down, I get your pitches. Lots...and lots...of pitches. And the reality is- that’s a big part of my JOB! And while I may not be coming across as super enthusiastic at the moment, I am always excited to discover a concept that resonates with me, that’s unique, that is pitched well. The problem is, lots of these pitches that I sift thro...