Producing

In an industry dominated by blockbuster franchises, it’s easy to forget that nearly 94% of films are produced independently. These films bring raw creativity to the screen—unfiltered, diverse, and often deeply personal. Behind every independent film, there’s a story not just of artistic ambition but of resilience, resourcefulness, and sometimes sheer survival. This article explores why so many filmmakers choose the independent path, how they sustain themselves amidst challenges, and why big stud...

During my filmmaking career, I've run the gambit on all different sides of production. Back in Baltimore, I worked with skeleton crews writing, directing, and doing sound on my own productions. Since moving to Los Angeles I've found a lot of work on set sound mixing, and I wanted to give some easy, actionable steps that can help all filmmakers, at every budget level, get the best sound possible. My sound kit from “Sexy Dex.” 1) Knowing The Tools Most sound mixers start with what we call a “...

Writer's block, the worst enemy of my creative mind, has been the talk of much contemplation and study in the realm of writing and psychology. The Breakout Principle, a concept that I use as a shift into mental focus to overcome obstacles, has emerged as a potential antidote to the paralyzing effects of writer's block. This method has served me well. At its center, writer's block is a psychological barrier and is internal, not external. It impedes the creative flow of ideas and words. It often...

My travels as an author, screenwriter, and feature magazine article writer have allowed me to visit some very exotic places all over the world, and it all started in The Bronx. I attended a Hollywood film school and graduated with honors. I also have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and I am a Six Sigma Master Black Belt. I guess you could say it was a unique education. But I learned a lot of things that they don’t teach in film school. And I’m still learning. Screenwriting can be a lonely...

Hi, Stage 32ers! After an amazing and truly inspiring experience at Focus London 2024 representing Stage 32 Certification, a long-time vision and dream of our CEO Richard “RB” Botto, that I am so fortunate to help bring to life, I am returning home to continue our work of democratizing the production industry with greater enthusiasm than ever (and it was already through the roof). I was so excited by the Stage 32 panel I hosted on telling authentic, original stories from wherever you are wi...

A wonderful piece of ART – that’s the only way I can describe Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). But who am I to judge? This movie doesn’t need my validation; it has 193 wins and 484 nominations to its name, including 4 Academy Awards, such as Best Picture and Best Director. Made with a modest budget of $18 million, it grossed over $103 million worldwide, proving that daring, experimental cinema can resonate with audiences and critics alike. But here’s the catch: this isn’t your...

In my previous blog post about mapping out a multi-season story, I talked about how to write up your vision for the future of your series in different ways depending on the format of your show. But a lot of writers struggle with finding ideas for a season arc and ask me if there is a process for that idea generation phase of the process. As a literary manager, part of my job was brainstorming with writers to help them craft the best version of their vision. As a producer, I actually have input i...

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, Carole Kirschner shares 5 traits that you need to succeed in the entertainment business. Carole spent fifteen years as a television development executive, former Vice President of Television for Steven Spielberg's first Amblin Entertainment, and a Comedy Developm...

Hi, Stage 32! I’m so excited to be part of this special community! I’m also excited to announce that the St. Pete-Clearwater Film Commission and Stage 32 are collaborating to bring Certification opportunities to creative professionals in Pinellas County, Florida. Through this collaboration, we’re helping residents get the education needed to pursue their goals in the production industry at a professional level. What is the St. Pete-Clearwater Film Commission? The St. Pete-Clearwater Film Co...

Hellooooo, Stage 32 Community! We’re heading into the holiday season and I hope everyone is feeling thankful and staying warm! And Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrated it! Now, we all know what time it is! It’s time for our monthly salute to our fantastic members here at Stage 32. I can’t tell you how much we enjoy highlighting and celebrating the successes of these hard-working creatives, it’s what we live for here at Stage 32. We love to shine the spotlight on these special members of...