Networking

There is no Business like Show Business. And possibly that is true, as there is no place, other than politics, that a good or bad reputation can travel faster than a supersonic jet. You have to treat your reputation as your most prized possession in Hollywood. There seems to be a misunderstanding about what reputation truly means. A solid reputation is built on professionalism but even more so on how good a human being you are on a solid ground of authenticity and I, for one, quote more than...

Last year, Stage 32 was kind enough to publish several blog posts, in which I described my career path, going from an unknown writer in a small country to now being able to have a career in filmmaking. And Stage 32 did what it does best - it sparked connections. A producer based in LA noticed a few of my blog posts, and then noticed my insight on a topic. He decided to get in touch via Stage 32, asking what I was working on. And then, magic happened. Within a month, I had a meeting with...

Happy Wednesday, Stage 32 Community!   Since 2011, the Stage 32 team has been working tirelessly to help you stay connected, creative, motivated, and informed. As always, we are committed to bringing you networking opportunities, education and mentoring from top-level industry executives and professionals, and access to decision-makers around the globe all from the comfort of your own home. Recently, our fearless leader and CEO Richard "RB" Botto hosted an "Ask Me Anything": State of the Indus...

Showbusiness is and has always been a collaborative effort. Even a one-person show needs an audience to be complete, so there’s nobody in this industry - no matter how much success or power they may have - who doesn’t need support when it comes to realizing their creative and financial goals. When we’ve been undersupported in our work and our lives, it’s easy to look at the careers of more established filmmakers and creators and imagine that there comes a point where a person’s privilege empower...

Hello Creative Army! Read any of the trades right now and our industry is in a rapid state of change. The entire Stage 32 team is on the phone every day to keep their fingers on the pulse of what's happening. It's an exciting time for you as a content creator - whether you work in film, television, or digital - and it's equally exciting for content makers because the world has opened wide to international voices traveling beyond borders. We are seeing more and more diverse and international...

Once upon a time, script feedback was only available in one of two ways. Paid or unpaid. As a Stage 32 member, screenwriters can get quality written notes through Industry Standard Coverage or select a reader for Premium Development Notes from an Executive. Plus, members can always reach out through the Screenwriting Lounge to ask fellow screenwriters for a script exchange as a perk of the no-cost Stage 32 membership. But two years ago, one member saw an opportunity to improve as a screenwriter...

This year, I'm taking my project to the next level, and the first step was to have a table read. I was actually surprised by how simple it was to organize a zoom reading using 100% of the talent through Stage 32. I previously had used some of Stage 32's talent for a zoom reading of the fantasy script, THE CHOICE. This time I had moved on to a more complex reading of a sci-fi/fantasy script called THE LEPIDOPTERAN. The stakes were a little higher with this reading than others as my script is po...

So...many...pitches… That’s the God’s honest truth about what often runs through my mind when I check my inboxes. On social, on email, and anywhere I can be hunted down, I get your pitches. Lots...and lots...of pitches. And the reality is- that’s a big part of my JOB! And while I may not be coming across as super enthusiastic at the moment, I am always excited to discover a concept that resonates with me, that’s unique, that's pitched well. The problem is, lots of these pitches that I sift throu...

For many writers, the written word comes much easier than the spoken one. It could be nerves and that speaking about your work places you in a position of vulnerability... What will they think of my script? Will they understand what I'm trying to convey with it? Can they share my vision for my script? Or a writer may feel doubt about their ability to talk about their script. Is my voice clear and inviting enough? Can I show enough excitement and passion so that an executive will believe in my sc...

Next week, I’m headed to Park City for my tenth Sundance Film Festival. As I think about how to prepare for this year’s edition, especially since the last two have taken place on my couch, I’m particularly excited about seeing folks in person. As the Executive Director of the Film Festival Alliance, I’ll be focused on seeing our members and hearing from them about their plans for the upcoming year. I’ll also try to squeeze in as many films as I can (the most I’ve ever seen is 25 in a week!). W...