Inspirational

As a producer and executive in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, I’ve seen countless submissions and been in hundreds of pitch meetings - on both sides of the table. While the landscape is constantly changing, one thing remains clear - preparation is everything. Whether you’re submitting a script, pitching a new series, or meeting a potential collaborator, your level of preparedness can make all the difference in securing a deal or moving your project forward. Even if you want it...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, in this Film Courage interview, they’re talking to writer, Jay Fingers, about how to handle rejection. Jay Fingers is a novelist, journalist, editor, and emerging screenwriter who authored four books: Guestlist, Kisses for Tati, Orange Mound, and Manhattan Sweetheart before moving to Los Angele...

Hello, Screenwriters! My name is Shaun. I am a Stage 32 Exec, Gotham Award-winning independent film producer, member of the Producers Guild of America, Repped Screenwriter, Script Consultant, and educator. I've been in the film and television industry for 29 years and producing for 15 of those years. In that time I have been privileged to work with and learn from some of the greatest filmmakers and performers in our industry - from James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, and Judd Apatow to Joe Wrig...

What is up, Creative Army! Myself and the Stage 32 team couldn’t be more thankful for this incredible community. This year has been a whirlwind for me with a lot of international travel so it's been a while since I've been able to do an AMA. Between my travel, the strikes, the M&A happening in our industry, independent film having a resurgence, I've seen and learned a lot... and there is a lot to talk about right now. It's an exciting time for you as a creative - whether you work in film, t...

Happy Tuesday, Creative Army! I recently had the honor of being featured on the brand new and already massively popular podcast, Beyond the Glam, hosted by the wonderful, amazing, spectacular 3X Emmy nominated, Rasha Goel. Rasha's podcast is about the raw, human side of success– showing the true, unglamorous realities of celebrities and creatives. We hope you’ll join us in feeling inspired to tackle personal challenges after discovering the inner struggles, insecurities, and triumphs that h...

Inception You have an idea. Well, maybe a kernel of an idea at this point, but it’s there. Could make a great movie or TV series. The idea starts to grow and take shape in your mind. You crack a story beat while driving, type it into your phone, or write it into a notebook the next time you stop. You think of that amazing character's name and laugh out loud to yourself, “That’s great”. The notes become an outline, your thoughts start to take shape, and the bones of the story start to come toget...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, 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 around 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. First up, in this video essay by Frame Voyager, he’s taking a closer look at th...

Cinderella is my favorite Disney Princess. But I have always identified with Belle: growing up, my nose was always stuck in a book. I would come home from school and public libraries with piles to read. As a child, I roamed the shelves of the fiction section barely giving time to nonfiction. As an adult, I’ve realized the value of the genre. Taking a look at a bookstore, you realize just how much of the store is taken up with nonfiction. Everything from reference books to cookbooks to memoirs...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! The Longest Running Comedy Screenplay Contest in the World is Back! Ever dreamt of seeing your feature comedy script come to life on the big screen or streaming on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! Laughing until we cry is one of the bedrocks of entertainment. From the goofy nostalgic delight of BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE to the relentless hi-jinx of THE FALL GUY and the emotional depth of THE HOLDOVERS,...

Happy Monday, Stage 32 Community! Creators are often solitary creatures, which makes it difficult to navigate a collaborative environment like the entertainment industry, where networking is so crucial. On the other hand, humans crave community and can learn more from each other than we can on our own. We need the support of others to keep motivated. We need feedback to refine our work and craft. We need mentorship and guidance to pursue new challenges. We need different perspecti...