Success Stories

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” - W.C. Fields When I read that, I think of the word perseverance. As in, do not give up. It’s easy to think that once you reach a goal, it’s all smooth sailing from there. That as long as you “try, try again” you will achieve the thing and that’s the end of it. However, in reality, that theme has been repeated at every step of my 20-year post-production career. It applies each and every day in the smallest of moments and will likely apply ev...

Animated features and series bring the imagination to life. Animation is so important to the entertainment industry because of the way it connects with every person out there. In such divisive times, we need these films and series more than ever. Recent films like SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE or ENCANTO have captured the attention of wide audiences with their amazing graphics and deep themes. Long-running series like THE SIMPSONS and BOB'S BURGERS bring out the edgy and quirky side of animat...

Isn´t it funny how executives and studios are so quick to shoot you down unless you've got talent attached? Yet, it's the talent that are sometimes the ones that are holding you up? I graduated from a pretty intensive practical filmmaker course in 2008 at the Met Film School, which still ran rings around my University experience in Screenwriting & Cinematography barely 5 years later. Unfortunately, both never opened the door to a job for me despite my best efforts. I only ever wanted to wri...

I found Stage32 in the fall of 2016 while searching for networking sites. I’d just decided to really go all out to pursue my passions and dreams. I’d taught myself screenwriting in college years earlier when libraries were still a thing. I joined a few other places around the same time and Stage 32 was the place I visited and still visit the most and have made the most connections by far. I think finding your people can add a little extra motivation. I'd really hit my stride and found my voice b...

DON'T STOP BELIEVING "I've written a play. Can you direct it?" AN OFFER! It was 2013. Two friends of mine recommended to playwright, Robin Pond, that he approach me to direct his play, 'The Retirement Plan', which had been selected to appear at The Toronto Fringe Festival. I had directed plays before, but all of them had been from scripts I had written. However, I was intrigued, and asked Robin to send me his script. I read 'The Retirement Plan', a dark comedy that dealt with a retiring...

There's only one way to break into the show business as a writer and it's different for everyone. My access point to Hollywood has a name: Alexia Melocchi of LITTLE STUDIO FILMS in Beverly Hills, my accomplished, dedicated Manager, a successful entertainment industry professional and a courageous visionary dreamer I was lucky to meet after connecting through a Stage 32 pitch session. Let me thank the entire Stage 32 Team for the great connections they helped me make and Alexia from the bottom...

The Cannes Film Festival in France is next week! As you all know Stage 32 has has worked directly with and have had an official presence at the Cannes Film Festival Marche du Film for the last 5 years. From education initiatives, partnerships and parties, Stage 32 always has our finger on the pulse of the world's biggest film festival and market.  Also, for the last 5 years Stage 32 is an official education partner of the Cannes Marche du Film. This year, our role has expanded even further a...

The Power of One More Time I was a freshman at Rollins College in Florida intending to become a golf professional. We had a free elective our winter term and one of my dorm buddies said, “Hey, what do you think if we take “Theatre Workshop?” I said, “You mean build sets, paint scenery?” He said, “Yeah.” I thought about it, and then said, “Sounds like a great idea!” That decision changed my life forever. After a week in the theatre, I was hooked! I then started to eat, drink and sleep theatre,...

Many people dream of being a screenwriter while still young; I came to it later in life. Having just turned 40, I was in Boston with an injured back while serving on the security detail for Secretary of State John Kerry, when I was reading a book and suddenly it came out of nowhere, "I have to turn this into a screenplay." [Even though I didn't own the rights. I found out how that works much later...] Eight years later, I have my first shopping agreement. One might ask, "how do you keep going...

"Write what you know." It's a well-worn saying. We've all heard it, and understand the wisdom therein. But as you struggle for success in the screenwriting world, it's often more tempting to try to write something high concept, something that will sell, something that will land you representation. As writers, we've both found some success -- Jamie wrote and starred in a solo show which ran off-broadway, Josh has sold a feature and TV pilot -- but we're more familiar with disappointment. While...