Tips

Small feature films are roads to much bigger projects. A positive, proactive attitude will propel your work. Here is what you need to give your film a fighting chance against the competition. Aim For Attention Successful projects happen when you adopt a realistic approach to their completion. Don’t think too big too soon. Storytelling as a filmmaker is a lifelong learning curve but a positive attitude is everything. A feature film carries the kudos and longevity that short-form content does...

Happy Summer, Stage 32! I have some exciting news to share! "Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want" has been recognized as the winner of the National Indie Excellence Awards in two categories: Wellbeing Winner and Personal Growth Finalist. The National Indie Excellence Awards honor presses that go the extra mile to produce books of excellence in every aspect. That now makes four awards my book has won, and I share all of them with those who have been suppor...

My name is David Banks and I’ve booked over 100 national commercials. I was even a featured guest at Film Con LA a handful of years ago and was asked how it’s seemed so easy for me to book spot after spot and what’s my magic touch. How it’s easy? That’s quite funny. Although it may appear like I have some kind of “magic touch,” my current method never fell into my lap. It was derived from MANY years of hearing no after no after no and having no clue how to remedy the situation. Rather, it ca...

This is possibly the least popular, but most vital piece of the overall filmmaking process; the documents and releases. Why do documents matter? They are the paper trail, the proof of quantifiable evidence of spending, the necessary schedules and details that the cast and crew rely on, and they protect filmmakers by providing permission for the use of items, locations, etc. throughout the process. Most importantly from the filmmaker’s perspective is the need for documents to be in order so that...

Welcome to July Filmmakers Club, Stage 32! Every movie starts with the best intentions, and in particular, one singular intention: make a great movie, period. Produce a film that connects with audiences, makes the audience feel something, and maybe even provokes them. If you’re really lucky, it can send a message and enact awareness and change. And of course, you hope that it earns a gazillion dollars at the box office so that those involved can perpetuate their careers as filmmakers. As the s...

Happy Friday, Stage 32 Community! Our Stage 32 Team has been working diligently to bring in as many new resources and opportunities as possible to enrich your experience here in our community! At Stage 32 you have direct access to award-winning industry executives and professionals who’ve written, produced, developed, created VFX, and represented acclaimed projects such as ANYONE BUT YOU, GRAN TURISMO, BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE, BLACK BIRD, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, TOKYO VICE, THE WHITE LOTUS, WE OWN...

Happy Thursday, Stage 32 Community! I hope that the last month has been joyful and productive for you all! Our Stage 32 Education Team has certainly been hard at work to bring incredible education opportunities and resources to this fantastic community. This July, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, award-winning screenwriters, producers, directors, showrunners, actors, consultants, dialect/voice coaches, authors, script coordinators, VFX artists, attorney...

I have been working on my teleplay for my TV Rom-Com, NUMBER 54, since 2004. Yes, it’s been twenty years of working on and polishing the Pilot script. I would sit at my desk and write a little, scrap it, and start over. I felt something was missing, but what was it? After twenty years of writing and rewriting, I finally figured it out. It was too long and it wasn’t funny enough. So as a member of STAGE 32 since 2015, I decided to write my best rendition and pitch it to someone who could help fin...

Crafting captivating narratives is an art form that elevates screenwriting to new heights. If you’re seeking success in screenwriting, understanding the concept of beat sheets is paramount. These guides provide a roadmap for plot development and creating engaging narratives. In this exploration of the Heroic Journey as a beat sheet in screenwriting, I will unravel their significance, their applications, and how they intertwine with the timeless allure of the Heroic Journey. Join me on this fi...

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 video from Just An Observation, they’re analyzing Jeremy Allen White's award-winning performance as Carmy Berzatto in FX's The Bear. Specifically, his masterful ability to lean into Carmy’s physical stress, anxiety, and personal trauma in unique ways that amplify the story. It’s a showc...