Inspirational

From Alex Montilla   Kheireddine El-Helou and I met while working as assistants in the editing room of 'The Muppets' in 2011 and immediately formed a bond based on a love of genre films and filmmaking, often discussing ideas for films we wanted to make. Through his award-winning short horror film, 'Drudge', Kheireddine got representation and some industry attention and was ready to make the move into features. So, in 2015, he told me his loose idea for a super low-budget movie he wanted to ma...

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, our friends over at StudioBinder did a deep dive into the art of the "POV" shot. The use of a POV shot, or "Point of View" shot, is a way for the audience to view the world through the character's eyes. This camera tool is used in a variety of genres, from romance to horror, to give the audience...

Making a film is a 'Big idea" that tends to overwhelm and can be an endless challenge to try and set sail. Where does one begin? This is your dream, after all, and here are a few methods that will help inspire your creative life. Understand that Writing is Everything For as long as I can remember, if I wanted to create something, it would not be discovered without reading about it. In fact, reading is a prerequisite to writing. I think that what you read changes your thoughts and then your so...

I’d been a “Schrödinger’s cat” member of Stage 32 for the better part of the last four years. “What does that even mean, Athina?” I hear you ask. Lucky for you, dear reader, I am here to elaborate. Get yourself a cup of tea (and one for me as well - black, with a dash of milk - please and thank you!) and let’s get crackin’. What I mean is, that “member” is a generous term. I’d been more of a passive, background, lurking in the dark Cat Woman sort of member. I had signed up for the newsl...

It’s no secret that we’re in a new Golden Age of Television. With audiences’ increasing desires for escapism and purely bingeable TV, there is perhaps no greater demand for new material than within Televised Comedies. Series like TED LASSO on Apple+, PEN15 and RAMY on Hulu, BARRY and INSECURE on HBO, ASTRONOMY CLUB on Netflix, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL on Amazon, critics and global audiences alike can’t get enough. Not only are these shows changing the way that we watch television but, in many c...

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...

Hello, fellow creatives! Whether you are looking for your next gig or in the middle of a shoot, enjoying some extended time outdoors or staying in to crank out that next script, I hope you are continuing confidently forward on your creative journey! But what if you don’t feel the forward momentum? What if you’re feeling the heavy, messy trudge like Atreyu through the mud in The NeverEnding Story? First, don’t stop! Stepping back to reassess how best to progress, however, can allow you to come ba...

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...

18 women, 10 ethnicities, 8 languages, 1 message: Together we are more powerful and astonishing. The goal for this video was to manifest the fact that: When many voices come together as one, with the same mindset and passion, all these voices that go beyond mother tongues and cultures, can speak the same language: That of unity, a tight bond, solidarity, strength, empowerment and love. And it certainly has accomplished that!     Pre-Production It all started with the idea of maki...

After three and a half years of being a reader in multiple casting offices in Los Angeles, and participating in more than 10,000 auditions, I'm sharing with you the knowledge and insight I've gained by being a fly-on-the-wall in the room with casting director's, directors, producers, and showrunners. So take the journey with me, and discover some insider secrets that will help you manage your fears and expectations, as well as give you an edge as soon as you walk in the audition room.   Epis...