Screenwriting

At one of my many day jobs, I worked in communications for one of the world’s largest banks. Not my dream job, but I had an office, so that was cool. When I wasn’t pasting press clippings into photo albums with solid gold covers for a former chairman (a real thing that happened), I got to work a fair bit with the CEO. It’s de rigueur to demonize bankers, but this guy was actually very decent. I was with him on one occasion when he gave a speech to employees. He told a story about how he regula...

Three Things in the Entertainment Industry You Shouldn’t Take Personally On Medium by Richard "RB" Botto It’s tough not to take things personally when you’re a creative. Writers, directors, actors, cinematographers and other film and TV creatives are emotionally invested in their work, while putting in a massive amount of time and effort in creating their art. This makes hearing negative feedback or a simple, but impactful “no” feel like a crushing setback. However, most interactions don’t...

Ready to be frightened? We are! Horror films are always popular, and in recent years we've seen a huge uptick of interest in horror with a deeper meaning, in films like GET OUT, IT FOLLOWS and MIDSOMMAR. Low-budget horror isn't going anywhere either; they're the easiest films to make with the biggest rewards. And we can't forget that streaming services love a good fright. Hits like FRESH on Hulu and THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE on Netflix are carrying horror into the 21st century. So how can you j...

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, our friends over at StudioBinder recently released a fascinating video about how Christopher Nolan shot the iconic spinning hallway scene in Inception. They dive into the cinematography, rotating set design, and stunts that went into creating such a unique and visually interesting scene - without...

This blog may be stating the obvious and I don't want to come across as condescending, but I just thought I would impart a piece of advice I gave to a client of mine. I have found while doing my job as an editor, that I have a great responsibility, not just to the authors I work with, but to the work itself. It's not just about spelling and grammar, it is also about what is best for the story and looking at something from the point of view of the reader. I do know, of course, that authors thin...

It’s a fact of writing that projects need multiple drafts. But that’s not what I’m talking about in this article. Instead, sometimes you might need to completely take apart a project, throwing out every previous draft, and starting over. Sounds extreme? It is. But it’s something I recently experienced. To properly explain this, I have to give you some background on the project in question. I’ve been working on the sequel to my third book since 2017. At the time, I was ambitious that I w...

You've made a short film. You've put in your time, effort, blood, sweat, tears, and perhaps even some serious money into your project. Your goal isn't only to get your film seen, but to get it seen around the world and by people who can make a difference in your career. Would being screened by an Oscar qualifying film festival matter? How about having it screened for over 1,000 executives including managers, agents, producers, film financiers and more? Look no further. The most prestigious s...

We have many different names for the fear that comes along with creative pursuits. Sometimes we call it “Imposter Syndrome.” Sometimes we call it “Resistance” (because, I think, sometimes we hit writer’s block because we’re listening to fear). Sometimes we call it “The Inner Critic.” But no matter what we call it, the effect it has is the same: it’s Snow White’s poisoned apple, that creates a paralyzing slowness that congeals until it looks like death. Fear and I have a long-standing relations...

Hello Creative Army! Read any of the trades right now and our industry is in a rapid state of change. From streamers in the race for original content, to companies making acquisitions and, of course, the Great Content Gold Rush still in full force, it's a lot to keep up with. The entire Stage 32 team is on the phone every day to keep their fingers on the pulse of what's happening. It's exciting time for you as a content creator - whether you work in film, television or digital - and it's equ...

  Whether you are making Hollywood blockbusters, indie darlings, or passion projects in your back yard marketing your film on social media is incredibly beneficial. However, you may not be sure where to start. This article hopes to give you a guide offering tips and advice on using social media as a filmmaker. Create a Plan Work out what you are wanting to share and when you are wanting to share your posts. Take time to work out your target audience and post at the best times for them in...