Producing

One day during the summer after I walked my dogs for 3 miles to the ice cream stand (the walking part is crucial to justify the eating of ice cream), I dragged their tired little stump legs (they're dachshunds) up the ramp and proceeded to place my order: "Baby twist with chocolate sprinkles, please," I said. The nice lady on the other side of the window drew this on the order sheet: I figured she was outright ignoring me, daydreaming of an art class or something. But I continued with m...

Why you, why now? Why are YOU the one to write and sell the next big series, and why now? As Stage 32 Founder and CEO Richard "RB" Botto prepares to answer the question, "Where Can I Find Indie Producers Who Can Help Develop a Series?" with Stage 32's Director of Script Services Jason Mirch, RB stresses the importance of asking yourself: Why me, why now? Take a listen at the duo's feedback from RB's FREE webinar, "Ask Me Anything." The answer may move you to the next step with your serie...

If you’re a creative, then you already know that a large majority of us tend to be introverted. But if we allow that to stop us from crowdSOURCING and networking, we’ll never gain the competitive advantage that we need to push our project out to the masses. In this next video in the crowdsourcing video series hosted by Stage 32 CEO Richard “RB” Botto, the #1 best-selling author of Crowdsourcing For Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd, reminds us that giving selflessly and offerin...

Happy Monday everyone! As I am sure you know by now the 26th Annual Austin Film Festival kicked off last week and Stage 32 was in the middle of it all. Stage 32 has always had a presence at the festival and this year we expanded our relationship and became official partners with AFF. Our leader Rich Botto and I spoke on filmmaking panels, we screened our 4th Annual Short Film Program, we hosted our 7th Annual Rooftop Bash at the Handlebar and I was fortunate enough to personally conduct intervie...

Good Morning, Creative Army!   I love this part of my Sunday morning. I often pour over the trades, sip my fresh brewed bean, and search to find different videos that educate and inspire our creative crew here on Stage 32. This morning, we're digging into the role of the producer and pitching.   First up, What Is a Line Producer? [The Key Role of Line Producers]. There are various producer roles on a film, and knowing who does what is mighty important. Line producers have a role that req...

Are you ready to walk “into the room” and pitch to a decision-maker such as an agent, financier, producer, distributor or studio executive? Here are the top ten pitching tips to help you in a high-stakes situation. There are 5 Do’s and 5 Don’ts:   1) Do prepare for the five stages of the meeting. In Stage 1, you build rapport and warm up the room. In Stage 2, you ask questions and listen to show respect. In Stage 3, you deliver the prepared component of your pitch. In Stage 4, you d...

Building, engaging, and moving an audience. That’s what the Crowdsourcing video series these past few weeks has been teaching you. As far as the advantage you’ll gain by reading the book? There’s more than one. Far more. Stage 32 CEO Richard “RB” Botto is the best-selling author of Crowdsourcing For Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd, the number #1 best-selling book on Amazon that covers how to find and move an audience to a point where they give back in ways that can only help...

This year at the Cannes Film Festival I had the opportunity to meet Heidi Philipsen, a dual-citizen filmmaker from the United States and Germany. With each country being different in the various ways they make films, Heidi realized that there is an opportunity for trans-Atlantic filmmakers to learn from one another and support each other creatively. So, she did something about it. Heidi put together a panel at the Hamburg Film Fest for Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) and NYWIFT...

Hello, Creative Army! Is your coffee pipin' hot and ready to go? If not, I'll wait while you get it. Today we're talking about story. You've heard it said that every story told in film has been told before. In our first shared video, Every Story is the Same, we dig deep into where story structure was born, and how the mind of Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey expounded on it. Listen to what screenwriter Dan Harmon (Community and Rick and Morty) has to say about Campbell. Next up, we t...

The American Film Market is a great place to find partners and pitch projects and films – if you have a plan. Use these steps to increase your chances of success.     PROLOGUE If you have a project or script, the most effective use of your time and money is to purchase an AFM Industry Badge or Industry Badge Plus which allow access to all offices, booths and most screenings beginning on Saturday (Day 4). The Industry Badge Plus includes all conferences and the writers workshop. Buy y...