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Hollywood’s Unicorn Problem: Are Dev Execs Getting Squeezed Out? The traditional development pipeline is broken, and the latest wave of layoffs proves it. After talking with execs, former execs, and producers at every level, one trend is undeniable: Hollywood is betting on individual unicorns over development infrastructure. Studios and top production companies are cutting development teams and walking away from costly overhead, instead leaning on smaller, filmmaker- or talent-driven shops. I...

Podcasts are a unique way to communicate with a desired group of listeners in an episodic format. Podcasts are designed to appeal to a niche audience; therefore, you have the opportunity to zero in on exactly who you want to talk to and what your topics should be. You’re straight-up targeting people. You never know… Your thoughts and opinions could very well resonate with a horde of like-minded folks and maybe even sway some of those who have different opinions from what you chat about on your...

"You're not good looking enough to be a lead actor. You're not ugly enough to be a character actor. You're an average looking guy in his 30’s. Maybe start thinking about what to do after acting" This is what a former agent, the man who was meant to be representing and guiding my career, said to me when I asked to meet and discuss why I hadn't been called in for any auditions for the best part of a year, and how we could work together to fix it. Despite attending acting, accent, and stage comba...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Let’s kick things off with a huge shoutout to everyone who has already jumped into this month’s Introduce Yourself Weekend. Thousands of creatives from around the world are connecting, sharing their stories, and building relationships that will lead to collaborations, opportunities, and lifelong friendships. If you haven’t yet made your introduction, you’ve still got time! Head over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge before the weekend wraps. Be bold. Introduce you...

Why Up-to-Date Cost Reports Matter & How to Solve Common Issues Film production is a fascinating intersection of creativity and complexity, where every detail—from the script to the screen—requires meticulous management. Yet, amidst the excitement of making movies, managing finances often feels like navigating a labyrinth. Producers, line producers (LPs), and accountants regularly face challenges, especially when it comes to tracking and managing expenses. A common scenario that epitomizes this...

There Is No Fluency Level to Getting Bamboozled by Bots and Trolls Whether you’ve been around a while or are new to the platform, you may not realize when an account is fake or real. It’s an issue all over cyberspace, and Stage 32 is not immune. The good news is that when a nefarious character raises their head, once alerted, the powers that be behind the scenes are usually quick on the draw to carefully vet that the person is real. If they’re fake or perpetually combative, they are soon zapped...

Welcome back to TALKING BUSINESS: Insights from the Independent Film Industry, hosted by Stage 32 Certification International Liaison, Thought Leader, and Business Consultant David Zannoni, of Freeway Entertainment and Zannoni Media. In TALKING BUSINESS, I sit down with top professionals from across the entertainment industry to uncover the business behind the art—from film financing and deal structuring to distribution strategy and international co-productions. Whether you’re a producer, inve...

The Dirección General de Cine (DGCINE), the Film Commission of the Dominican Republic, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Stage 32 Certification—an initiative aimed at strengthening the professional development of the local audiovisual workforce. This collaboration will provide broader access to internationally recognized, industry-endorsed training for Dominican talent. Individuals who complete Stage 32’s certification programs will be included in a global database of qualifi...

As recently announced in Variety, the producers behind The Night and Parallel - have opened their doors exclusively to our community and we're excited to announce we've partnered with Mammoth Pictures - who will develop and package the winning script of our 12th Annual Search for New Blood horror screenwriting contest! The Rarity of Direct Producer Access With a mission to produce genre projects for a global audience, Mammoth Pictures have been making a name for themselves as horror/thriller...

So...many...pitches… That’s the God’s honest truth about what often runs through my mind when I check my inboxes. On social, on email, and anywhere I can be hunted down, I get your pitches. Lots...and lots...of pitches. And the reality is- that’s a big part of my JOB! And while I may not be coming across as super enthusiastic at the moment, I am always excited to discover a concept that resonates with me, that’s unique, that's pitched well. The problem is, lots of these pitches that I sift throu...