Tips

Still Happy New Year! I am that person who celebrates the new year all month long, embracing fresh dreams and aspirations. While we are motivated to make this year better than the last one, many of us feel hesitation, even paralyzed, unable to move forward. I, too, have been in this place, feeling stuck and overwhelmed by fear. What has helped me? Learning to take a leap of faith, to believe in myself and a power greater than me. Today’s message aims to inspire you to do the same, offering in...

In car parlance, I might be a barn find -- a dust-covered vehicle that’s been unearthed after many years of storage. I wasn’t exactly in storage but I was in the barn for 40 years, inching toward the door -- i.e. my lifelong goal to be a working actress. I worked 9 to 5 and was a single parent and couldn’t get an LA agent, so I simply did what I could around those parameters. For decades. At times my forward progress seemed imperceptible. Then in 2022, I went from zero ability to get an agent,...

Before I turned 30, I decided to pursue acting. In 2016, I joined acting classes and met people who would not only become my best friends but also huge inspirations for me. Some of them introduced me to the idea of writing my own script. I got into acting because of my love of old horror movies and wanted to pursue this impossible dream before starting a family. Even before I started acting, however, I always had an idea - a personal passion project - stuck in my head that I knew, one day, I...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. First up, in this video from Archer Green, you'll see how to use color theory t...

I hope all of you are well and looking forward to making some pretty amazing connections on Stage 32! I am a mother of three girls, one and a half college grads, and a little Einstein. My eldest is an entrepreneur and teaches influencers how to grow, increase leads, and sustainability. My middle child attends SCAD and has been in more films than I’ve ever written. My baby girl has mastered 2D, 3D, and all things technical more than mommy and preparing to do some work for Crunchyroll. I didn’...

After publishing my most recent blog, “Why Crowdsource Funding is Essential for Independent Producers”, there was some interesting feedback that pushed back, stating big investors are still the only legitimate way to fund film or other media projects. It was pointed out to me that, “If your goal eventually is a feature film that will be distributed internationally then you are stepping into serious business, and the film should carry the weight of serious business in both its creation and financ...

The production of content, whether film, television or other media, is a complex and multifaceted process that requires careful attention to legal considerations. Production legal, while sometimes overlooked, plays a large role in shaping the overall picture of a production, and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth execution of content creation. From securing the chain of title to navigating contractual obligations, production legal is essential for safeguarding the creative and financial...

Female-driven movies center around strong, multifaceted women, navigating the complexities of life, often breaking societal norms, and supporting each other in pursuit of their dreams, unraveling powerful narratives of strength, friendship, and self-discovery, that highlight and celebrate the diversity and complexity of women's stories. All-time classics like LITTLE WOMEN and HIDDEN FIGURES remind us of the importance of family and friendships, while globe-trotting adventures lik...

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 The Hollywood Reporter, we see the directors from some of last year's most talked-about films discuss their visions, inspirations, and big takeaways from their recent work. The roundtable includes Ava DuVernay (ORIGIN), Blitz Bazawule (THE COLOR PURPLE), Bradley Cooper (MAEST...

Most of you will know me from previous blogs on this site, and most of the time those blogs tend towards contentious subject matter. If this is your first time reading me, welcome. My name is Tennyson E. Stead and I’m a writer and director who has worked in disciplines ranging from film finance to gaffing and grip. As a screenwriter, script doctor, and ghostwriter, I’ve written more than 50 screenplays and I’ve been paid for a sizable percentage of those. My directing and editing have won awa...