Tips

Hi, Stage 32ers! While you may have missed out on getting to attend Cannes in person, you certainly won’t miss out on the incredible insights that were shared there! At this year’s Cannes 2023, Stage 32 hosted an insightful expert panel about finding the right material, putting together the right package, finding financing, and navigating a film’s release. With the Great Content Gold Rush that has occurred from streamers vying for original content, a producer’s job has become increasingly...

My name is James Kicklighter, and I am a Stage 32 Thought Leader and a multi-award-winning Film Director and Producer. I have been fortunate to direct documentaries (The Sound of Identity), narrative films (Angel of Anywhere), and advertising across the country and around the world.   I hope that you enjoyed Part I of my discussion with my collaborator and friend, Emmy-nominated Director of Photography, Jonathan Pope (The Social Dilemma). Because we had so much to talk about, we thought it bes...

When I wrote my first book, it was an adventure. Not only was it my first major project, it was the moment I realized just how little I knew about the craft of writing. I was two years into my professional writing career when I shifted from short stories to my first book. Sure, I’d written “books” before. But trust me, those will NEVER see the light of day. That already made this one different. I was not writing it for fun or because writing is my passion (though both of those statements are...

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, award-winning director Mark Bone gives his filmmaking tips that "no one tells you." These tips are just the tip of the iceberg though. If you're ready to take control of your career and looking to make your own projects as a director or producer, take a look at our education here on Stage 32. T...

Hi, Stage 32ers! While you may have missed out on getting to attend Cannes in person, you certainly won’t miss out on the incredible insights that were shared there! At this year’s Cannes 2023, Stage 32 hosted a wonderful expert panel about the opportunities you have internationally as a creative and what the global business landscape looks like. Moderated by Sara Elizabeth Timmins (Film Producer), our distinguished panelists Sidney Chiu (Film Producer), Segolene Zimmern (Manager of Inte...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! It’s been a busy July! Our Stage 32 Education Team has been hard at work to bring in some incredible education opportunities and resources for this fantastic community. Over the next month, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, Emmy-winning filmmakers, best-selling authors, acclaimed producers, financiers, script coordinators, distributors, attorneys, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on such proj...

The writer’s job is never easy, in part because it’s secretly more than one job: it’s three. You need to be a talented writer on the page, a collaborator and idea generator in the room, and a riveting salesperson in a pitch. Pitches can make or break a career – they can be the tool that opens doors or leaves your ideas gathering dust in a pile. So how do you take all the work you’ve done on your project, and present it in a way that will get someone to buy it? 1. Be A Great Storyteller...

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. This weekend, "Barbenheimer" has finally arrived. It's a social media sensation that's been building all year long. And while the films BARBIE and OPPENHEIMER appear to have nothing in common, the attention to detail from the directors of both films in the story and visuals is astounding. For today's Cof...

I am a Distributor turned Filmmaker. I have a finance degree and a law degree and I spent the first 22 years of my film career in Distribution. Then I got the bug to become creative. I have since made and successfully self-distributed 7 feature films, 3 of which streamed on Netflix worldwide (FULL OUT / FULL OUT 2 - YOU GOT THIS! / KISS & CRY). I provide consulting services to hundreds of indie filmmakers and the initial conversation usually goes like this: Jeff to Filmmaker: “You need to th...

Welcome back to TALKING BUSINESS: Insights from the Independent Film Industry, hosted by Stage 32 Thought Leader and Business Consultant, David Zannoni, from Freeway Entertainment and Zannoni Media. In TALKING BUSINESS, David brings you in-depth conversations on the behind-the-scenes of the filmmaking business with industry veterans. In today’s second episode, David speaks with Viviana Zarragoitia. Viviana is the SVP of Film & TV Financing at Three Point Capital, as well as a Stage 32 Thought...