Financing

The Dark Origins Before we get started… there’s a few downer moments in this, but rest assured it all comes up roses in the end, so stick with it. I recently optioned my first script, BlackBird to an Irish director/producer who is currently working on preproduction. BlackBird is a hugely personal story. In fact, it is an autobiographical story. It gets super, seriously, rated-R level dark, so I won’t go into those details on this upbeat “happy news” kind of blog. But here is a breakdow...

In 2017, I had a weird epiphany about an opportunity realized I had. Long story as short as possible, I had a 77-page Horror/Thriller script that I realized I could actually shoot, and thus, have my first feature film as a Writer/Director. By 2018 the script was totally finished. I submitted it to a few Stage 32 written pitch sessions and I got some really supportive feedback. Notably one exec requested to see other loglines I had and even requested one script, but the important part was that...

It’s safe to say that 2020 was one hell of a year! From an apocalyptic type pandemic, to a hot and heavy political climate, to our economy nearly crashing, it really had it all. Unfortunately for me, I was one of the unlucky ones that found myself out of work. This turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise though, because it gave me more free time. During my down time, a friend of mine asked me to read the first draft of his feature script, and I happily obliged. Reading his script and giv...

The financier has a prominent position in independently produced and distributed films. It may be safe to say that the majority of independent films would not get made, if there was no involved of an external film financier investing equity or providing a production loan. However, despite of its essential role, generally the film financier’s control on the film’s production, distribution and receipt and disbursement of revenues is limited. The producer controls the production. Typically,...

Hello Stage 32 Community! Since the beginning of this year, our fearless leader and CEO Richard "RB" Botto has been talking a lot about the Content Gold Rush of 2021 - how development and the need for great stories and content is higher than ever. Well, this notion has been proved time and time again within the Stage 32 community since January. For starters, we have already had 160 meeting requests from entertainment executives looking to connect with screenwriters and filmmakers they have met...

Happy Friday, Creative Army! I have been talking about The Great Content Gold Rush of 2021 for the last few months. The entire Stage 32 staff is on the phone everyday with their fingers on the pulse of what is happening in the entertainment industry and the word is unanimous - networks, streaming platforms and producers and other executives need new content. The past three months have proved this notion in spades - we have already had over 155 meeting requests from entertainment executives loo...

Hey everyone! Harrison here, the Director of Education at Stage 32. As a lot of you know, I’ve been working hard this past year to put together new learning opportunities led by some of the top minds in the entertainment industry to help everyone in the Stage 32 community grow in their field, whatever that field may be. And I’m super proud of what the education we’ve been able to provide! We’ve programmed webinars, classes and labs that have helped writers, directors, script supervisors, edito...

In Stage 32's continued effort to shine the light on women in the entertainment industry we have partnered with Female Voices Rock for a thrilling virtual event. On March 8, International Women's Day, some of the industry's female leaders will be coming together to host an inspiring webcast celebrating women in entertainment. The panel features five powerhouse female voices of entertainment, including:   Carmen Carbana - Cinematographer, Marvel & Disney Plus Ms. Marvel; Hulu's High F...

Happy Wednesday Creative Army! As you know, Stage 32's continued mission is to democratize the entertainment business and the industry is taking notice in a big way. In addition to our previous coverage in Business Insider (check out the articles here and here), Senior Entertainment Business Reporter Diane Haithman from industry leading publication The Wrap recently watched our Stage 32 + Netflix TV Pitching Webinar with Christopher Mack and wanted to dive into what Stage 32 has been doing ove...

  CONGRATULATIONS!    HERE ARE THE WEEK 3 WINNERS!     Watch Webcast #3   THE PICKLE HUT by Mark Reynolds "The wicked dethroned best pickle champion and her deviant granddaughters plot against the sweet young woman that took her title."   A PLACE IN THE SUN by Oscar Barboza "When his ward doesn’t return from Rumspringa, Levi Schmucker, a 22-year-old Pennsylvania Dutch Amish man, leaves his wife and settlement behind as he journeys to the Big Apple, in search of the you...