Inspirational

As creatives, we carry more than our scripts, edits, or pitches. We carry experiences—collaborations that went sideways, rejections that stung, betrayals that cut deep. These can live inside us longer than we realize. What often goes unsaid is this: forgiveness is not about forgetting what happened. It is about changing your relationship to what happened so it no longer dictates your future work. The Difference Between Forgiving and Forgetting One of the most persistent myths is that forgiven...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. Let’s start with this brilliant video essay from Panavision: Oona Menges, BSC on cinematography, collaborating, and Ruby Speaking. Oona Menges has had a decades-long career as a cinematographer, and throughout it s...

Hello, Creative Army! Another day, another partnership, another opportunity for the incredible, talented members of the Stage 32 community. I’ve always said the mission of Stage 32 is to democratize access to industry-level opportunities. Today, I’m proud to share proof of that mission in action. As announced exclusively in Variety, Stage 32 is an Education Partner for the STARZ #TakeTheLead Writers’ Intensive with the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) and NewFilmm...

The Proof is in The Proof of Concept - or is it? For the past few years, I've been advising thousands of writers, actors, and creators (probably 5,000+) NOT to shoot proof of concepts for their projects. They rarely communicate what the final product would actually look like, and more often than not, poor production quality works against them. A proof of concept needs to WOW an executive, producer, or financier to really move the needle. But a bad proof of concept can tilt the scale of doubt th...

The creative spirit of Limpopo, South Africa, has always been undeniable, and today, our region’s filmmakers are poised for an even brighter future. I am thrilled to share that the Made in Limpopo Film Hub Screenwriting Workshop has partnered with Stage 32 Certification to offer a transformative opportunity: the winner of our workshop will receive a free Stage 32 Certification course, which is an unparalleled pathway to professional development and industry recognition. We are thrilled that Stag...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. Let’s start with this insightful roundtable by Panavision, where a group of world-class DPs share the tools, routines, and instincts they rely on throughout the filmmaking process. From essential items like viewfinde...

The Stage 32 Representation Pitchfest (August 30-31) Could Change Everything This is it, writers! This weekend presents one of the most INCREDIBLE opportunities of the year. The Stage 32 Representation Pitchfest on August 27th, 30th, and 31st, where you'll have direct access to 10 managers and agents who are actively hunting for new material and prospective clients. Why This Weekend Matters Forget the endless query letters and cold submissions that disappear into the void. These industry pro...

In March, my daughter passed on a free trial membership to a platform called "Stage 32 Writer's Room." I wasn't looking for anything like this because, frankly, I didn't even know it existed. I've spent my entire adult life in education and the medical field, so all of this was new to me. Where I Started: Before Stage32 In 2023, I was exhausted: traveling cross-country to help care for my dad with dementia, while still working full-time and homeschooling our son. It was emotionally and physic...

Hollywood’s Unicorn Problem: Are Dev Execs Getting Squeezed Out? The traditional development pipeline is broken, and the latest wave of layoffs proves it. After talking with execs, former execs, and producers at every level, one trend is undeniable: Hollywood is betting on individual unicorns over development infrastructure. Studios and top production companies are cutting development teams and walking away from costly overhead, instead leaning on smaller, filmmaker- or talent-driven shops. I...

Welcome back to TALKING BUSINESS: Insights from the Independent Film Industry, hosted by Stage 32 Certification International Liaison, Thought Leader, and Business Consultant David Zannoni, of Freeway Entertainment and Zannoni Media. In TALKING BUSINESS, I sit down with top professionals from across the entertainment industry to uncover the business behind the art—from film financing and deal structuring to distribution strategy and international co-productions. Whether you’re a producer, inve...