Screenwriting

You probably already know this to be true. Or you've surmised it. But now it's even more glaring, and actor Robert Di Niro is one of many investors stepping up to make it so: New York City is the new Hollywood. And this makes an awful lot of east coasters beyond happy. Outside of the already bustling industry, there's this: "De Niro is part of a group of investors, including his son, that is purchasing a five-acre lot in Astoria, Queens “to build a sprawling production and film studio,” r...

So there I was, minding my own business (not really) in a Facebook group filled with actors when I came across a thread where a fellow actor posed the following question: “Do I really need a brand as an actor? I see all of these posts where it says we need to brand ourselves and I’m freaking out. Does it really matter?” The answers that followed the question were varied, to say the least. And of course they did; this is social media we’re talking about. You can say whatever the hell you want...

I am an obsessive multi tasker. Some call me a master juggler. I can work on any given day on multiple projects and activities. I'm not sure if it is because I love variety or because deep down I am a masochist. Or a control freak. From buying films on behalf of our theatrical distributor clients, selling and marketing those films, developing content for film and television, and representing personalities, influencers or media companies, I do it all. I also consult for Wall Street and do story d...

What happens when drop two New Yorker's in the middle of Hollywood?? A little bit of laughter and a heckofa lot of filmmaking insight. You've seen Richard RB Botto's free webinar, "Ask Me Anything." Sometimes he handles questions on his own and we love that. Sometimes he handles questions with Jason Mirch, Stage 32's Director or Script Services, and we love that, too. In this round, he's throwing the questions at fellow New Yorker, Bradley Gallo. (Bradley is a renowned film producer and do...

Happy Monday, Stage 32 Family! I hope you all had a productive and creative weekend. I wanted to take a moment to talk about screenwriting contests. As you probably know, we just closed the extended deadline on our 5th Annual Feature Contest. I hope you were all able to submit a project for consideration. I was speaking with a writer recently who questioned the value of screenwriting contests. He had been a winner or finalist in several different screenwriting contests in the past, but ultima...

Good Morning, Creative Army! This morning as I brew with a french press, creating videos while flying solo comes to mind. Most of us have done it, want to do it, or could use some tips on how to improve our self-tapes or tutorials. Even shooting a short film starring ourselves can be tricky. So while we brew, let's dig into the first video today from Peter McKinnon, How to Film Yourself. Even with zero budget, you can create a great video with just a few tools. The short video below shows...

When we settle in to watch a television show, we're looking to get pulled into the story. The last thing we want is a series of facts or other information to drive the story engine. Yet it happens. It makes for a bland episode. And it could be detrimental if not addressed. After David Mamet's show The Unit was cancelled, Mamet sent a memo to his writing staff. Here's how it started: "Almost a decade ago, celebrated playwright, film director, screenwriter, author and producer David Mamet —...

Welcome back! When we last parted, my friend Brian gave up two hours into the day. I made sure not to tell my mother that he ditched me for fear she would not let me go back to the set alone. I am not sure I actually lied about it. Well,l I guess there are lies of omission, so maybe I did lie. But I did tell her I saw people using things I considered to be toys as equipment on the set, and I was obsessed with these man-children and their toy box. Boys and Their Toys How many of you rea...

For the past few years we've been doing a mid-year check in to see where all of you are at. What kind of projects are you working on?Have you been killing it with auditions?Where are you with writing? Networking? Pitching? Let's take a minute to do a mid-year check-in and see how - and what - you’re all doing thus far. Are you on track? Do you need a push? Did you change direction entirely?   Let's talk about it in the comments section below. And, of course, if there is the opportunity...

Movies and TV habits are changing with the advent of streaming video services, including Netflix. So what does that mean for writer's looking to pitch to executives? Does streaming now create two different avenues for pitching? Or are the markets the same? Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto & Director of Script Services Jason Mirch address this question in the FREE webinar "Ask Me Anything." Listen as the duo discuss how writer's should approach these markets.   Click Here For RB & Jason's...