Financing

Happy Friday Creative Army!   Hoping you are all feeling well and staying safe!   As you know, it has been an insane couple of weeks here at Stage 32. Last Monday, we announced that we are screening all films affected by the SXSW cancellation on Stage 32 to our network of financiers, producers, development executives, distributors, and more. The media support has been overwhelming, and our initiative has since been covered by over 75 news outlets including Variety, CNN, Screen Daily, and m...

Small feature films are roads to much bigger projects. A positive, pro-active attitude will propel your work. Here is what you need to give your film a fighting chance against the competition.   Aim For Attention Successful projects happen when you adopt a realistic approach to their completion. Don’t think too big too soon. Storytelling as a filmmaker is a lifelong learning curve but a positive attitude is everything. A feature film carries the kudos and longevity that short-form content...

Hello Stage 32! As you know, it has been a wild week here on Stage 32. Last Friday, due to Coronavirus concerns, SXSW was officially canceled. Since then, hundreds of filmmakers who were eagerly awaiting recognition, exposure, and opportunities found themselves scrambling for recourse. On Monday, we announced that we were offering a solution to help the filmmakers that were displaced by the cancellation. The support and media coverage has been overwhelming and awe-inspiring as the indie film...

Hello Stage 32! As you know, it has been the good kind of crazy all week here at Stage 32. On Monday, we announced that we are screening official selection SXSW 2020 films that have been affected by the cancellation of the festival last week. If you are new to the party, you can find the announcement here, the amazing media support here, the epic Stage 32 and indie film community rallying here, and the continuing media blitz here.  So here we are, Friday, March 13th, 2020. The day filmmakers...

Hello Stage 32! As you have likely heard by now, Stage 32 is screening the films affected by the recent SXSW cancellation (more info here, here, & here). The response has been magnificent, and we here at Stage 32 are in awe of the boundless support the entire world has for independent film. When we first made the announcement on Monday, Variety, Screen Daily, IMDb, and Broadway World were quick to share our message. Since then, we have had over 50 publications, blogs, and fellow entertainmen...

Hello Creative Army! We really need your help in spreading the word! As you have likely heard by now, the 2020 SXSW festival was canceled due to concerns about the health and safety of attendees and the Coronavirus. As filmmakers, producers, screenwriters, and actors ourselves, all of us at Stage 32 are devastated for everyone impacted by the cancellation of SXSW.  Over the last few days, we have heard from hundreds of Stage 32 members who played a part in the films impacted by the cancell...

We've all had that script or project that we have poured our hearts, souls, and time into. You do the Hollywood hustle networking game and finally, land that big pitch meeting. You passionately pitch your project and eagerly await the executive's praise. Instead, they ask you point blank "what else do you have?"  This question is a staple in any pitch meeting, so it is imperative to know how to answer it when the time comes. Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto and Director of Script Services Jason...

Happy Wednesday Filmmakers! This week, we are thrilled to present the debut vlog from long-time Stage 32 member, blog contributor, webinar teacher, and international film & distribution aficionado, David Zannoni! Over the course of this year, David will be bringing Stage 32 exclusive insights, tips, and tricks from his adventures in the business of film across the globe.  Today, David is reporting from the European Film Market & Berlin Film Festival in Berlin, Germany. Click below to learn t...

With each passing year, original streaming content becomes more and more popular. As filmmakers, we are all secretly (or not so secretly) vying for a coveted slot on the golden geese of streaming: Netflix and Amazon. So, how do you pitch your project to Netflix or Amazon? Stage 32 founder and CEO, Richard Botto, answers this question thoroughly and frankly in his free webinar, "Ask Me Anything".  The head of Netflix television programming reportedly hears roughly 60 pitches a week. Before yo...

The movie industry is not just about creating what pleases you. It’s about creating entertainment that will delight an audience. The major studios put a lot of money into big movies seeking to serve a huge international audience. Independent filmmakers often target much smaller audience groups, but they have a target. Before you put one word on paper you need to consider who your potential audience is and how you can expand that audience. If you spend $5 million making a movie for a $10 milli...