Producing

In this survival guide, I'll be focusing on a checklist of things to keep in mind when shooting a horror film. It's no surprise that horror films cost less to produce and shoot. A good example is Jordan Peele’s Get Out. James Wan made his career with the SAW franchise. Horror films bring in lots of money at the box office, and audiences flock to the screen to get their fright on! With that in mind, let's dive right into the belly of the beast. Costume & Make-up Design If there is one thing...

As recently announced in Deadline, Mark Wheeler's management company has opened their doors exclusively to our community and we're excited to announce we've partnered with Pathfinder Media- who will develop and package the winning script of our Film & TV Comedy screenwriting contest! Direct Manager Access Mark Wheeler is a global entertainment executive and franchise builder with over 15 years of experience across comics, video games, film, and television. As co-founder of Pathfinder Media, h...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! I am so excited to share that the Stage 32 Community Open House is back this October — and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and completely reimagined with you at the center. If you’ve attended a Stage 32 Open House in the past, you know it’s one of our most energizing community events — a place to meet fellow creatives, learn how to make the most of the platform, and leave feeling inspired to take your next big step. But this month’s event is completely new. This is...

The industry is changing fast. We're not just keeping up—we're leading the way. So are our partners. I'm thrilled to announce we just launched our Film + TV Comedy Screenwriting Contest in partnership with Pathfinder Media and director Todd Biermann (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, High Potential)—featured in Deadline this week! This partnership highlights a shifting trend in the industry: good IP can be found anywhere, and agencies no longer have exclusive control over which projects get...

The Rollercoaster By the time I arrived in Austin a few weeks before filming After All, the experience had already been an exercise in patience and perseverance. Five years had passed since development on the project officially began. As this was my second feature film, I had hoped things might move a bit faster. My first feature, Fair Haven, took about ten long years from start to finish. Two of After All’s development years were lost to a global pandemic, but regardless, the creative part of...

On behalf of the Writers Guild South Africa (WGSA), it is my great pleasure to extend a heartfelt thank you to Stage 32, David Zannoni, and Sam Sokolow for the outstanding webinar recently hosted for our WGSA members, and for your decision to partner with the Guild to offer Stage 32 Certification courses to our writers. As someone deeply committed to the advancement of South African screenwriters and storytellers, I am genuinely excited about the opportunities this partnership brings to our crea...

We can all agree that it’s nigh impossible for a finished film to be even 90% close to the original screenplay. Budget and logistic constraints can be very limiting for the filmmaker, and often the creative vision changes according to the ebbs and flows of the production. Locations are changed, dialogues are added, and sometimes even characters are edited out. As a result, when the filmmaker has finished post and is busy procuring deliverable material required by film festivals or the distribu...

Happy FriYAY, Stage 32 Community! One of my favorite things about being Head of Community here at Stage 32 is connecting you with opportunities that don’t just inspire you creatively, but give you the tools to level up your career. And next week, we’ve got one you absolutely don’t want to miss. We’re teaming up with SAGindie to bring you an incredible FREE webcast: Short Films, Big Plans: Building Powerful Indie Shorts That Launch Careers Join Us Live Tuesday, October 22nd at 11:00 am PT...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! We’re just one week away from the start of the 2025 Austin Film Festival — one of my favorite times of the year! The Austin Film Festival 2025 kicks off on Thursday, October 23rd, and Stage 32 will be in attendance until Sunday, October 26th. For over 30 years, Austin Film Festival (AFF) has championed the art and craft of storytelling, celebrating writers and filmmakers across every medium: film, television, plays, podcasts, and digital series. It’s one of the most...

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! Every year, the American Film Market (AFM) transforms Los Angeles into the beating heart of the global film industry, where thousands of producers, distributors, financiers, and creatives come together to make deals, launch projects, and build partnerships that define the year ahead. Whether you’re attending AFM for the first time or returning with new projects to pitch, understanding how to navigate this event strategically can make all the difference. That’s...