Financing

Happy Sunday, everyone. This is going to have to be a quick one. As the official film networking and educational partner of the conference, it's been wall to wall for the Stage 32 team at the American Film Market (AFM), and this morning I am leading a talk on independent film financing with the CEO's of Hyde Park Entertainment, Bold Film, Cold Iron and the President of Millennium Entertainment. So, in short, time has been limited. But you know I wouldn't leave you hanging with just your coff...

Man, you guys brought the goods to the table.  I mean, you had me riled up and as passionate as I've been in a long time.  I'm grateful...seriously. Hundreds of you attended my live AMA (Ask Me Anything) last week.  What was supposed to be an hour of me answering your questions quickly turned into two hours of spirited, inspiring, and motivating craft and industry talk. From acting to screenwriting to filmmaking.  From film producing to film finance to attaching talent.  From making valuable...

  I’m honored to announce that Stage 32 has been named as the official film networking and education platform of the American Film Market for the 3rd year in a row. As you know, we're big supporters of AFM, not only for all they do to connect producers, financiers and distributors all over the world, but for the progressive nature of how they program their panels and workshops. Head Honcho, Jonathan Wolf, truly has his finger on the pulse of what's happening in the independent film scene...

Hey, guys! Alex and Trevor here, back with a Stage 32 segment we'd like to offer you regularly: Ask us Anything. Our last question and video answer can be found HERE. Today's question is from Stage 32 Member, Cali Gilbert: Funding is a tricky thing to tackle when it comes to your next project, but you are in luck! Alex and Trevor have some tips to help you find that money. Especially when it comes to documentaries and projects based of pre-existing properties, there are ways you can m...

I haven’t written a blog in quite a while… To be honest, haven’t felt like I’ve had all that much to say about the film industry lately. Maybe it’s because I just have too many projects in development for such a small setup. Or maybe it’s because I’m too wrapped up in the absolute insanity that is the daily assault of news about Trump. Maybe it’s because I rarely get enough sleep. Or maybe it’s because I’ve recently become completely obsessed with podcasts like APM’s In The Dark which is absolut...

The music world has traveled light years from the early days of music videos when MTV and VH1 cornered the market. Multiple cameras, complicated graphics, and big hair were what pulled us into a Motley Crue video. No doubt, some serious cash flow was also part of the equation. Okay, maybe the big hair pulled me in, too. Regardless, getting home from school to watch MTV in an attempt to catch my favorite video and record it became a mission like no other. I wanted to be Pat Benatar mixed with...

I was fortunate enough to be an integral part of the 90s Independent Film Movement (producing David O. Russell’s Spanking the Monkey, Scarlett Johansson’s breakout role in Manny and Lo, and IFC’s seminal independent film series Split Screen, etc.) and I really believe a new very exciting opportunity for independent film is on the horizon, and not many people are talking about it. There are many ways to raise money for films, for example - foreign sales, grants, studio system, friends/fami...

Recently during the 2018 Film Con Hollywood at the LA Convention Center we spent time with Stage 32er and panelist Jennifer Winberg, who is a Digital Specialist from MXM, an entertainment industry marketing & advertising agency. Jennifer has had a storied career in digital and has worked with Lionsgate, SONY, FOX, Gravitas Ventures and more. Today we've posted a video from Jennifer on our YouTube page as she gives advice on how to break into entertainment. Click here to hear Jennifer's advice!...

Where does your career end and your personal life begin? Where does your digital world end and your real world begin?     As a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (EMMYS), I’m currently invited to a lot of For Your Consideration screenings and events around Hollywood. At a recent FYC screening for WESTWORLD, Jonathan Nolan, the co-creator of the show, had some very insightful words about the dangers of “people becoming brands” via social media. He cautioned that he see...

Hey guys!  Happy Sunday. The past week has been consumed by Cannes prep (see all the details here), so I have something a little different for Coffee & Content this week.  And it's something for everyone.  How about we cover ground on all the following topics: - Why you need to cut the negativity out of your life- Today! - Why you do not need to be micromanaged as a screenwriter or a filmmaker - How you can bring value to every meeting - What I'm hearing in my meetings regarding...