Networking

Happy Monday, Stage 32 Community! I’m excited to share that the Stage 32 Community Open House is back this month, and as we wrap up the year and look ahead to what’s next, this is the perfect moment to reconnect, refocus, and step into 2026 with clarity and momentum. Whether you’re brand new to Stage 32 or have been part of this community for years, the Community Open House is designed to help you better understand how to navigate the platform with intention, build meaningful relationships,...

Want Success? Stop Listening to the Hollywood Narrative! Is it just me, or does it feel like Hollywood is set up to make you fail? Obstacle, after obstacle… Rejection, after rejection… It’s *almost* not even worth trying. And I can say ‘almost’ because those of us who still believe in the magic of our dreams, have a passion so strong that we are going to go for it, despite all of the hardships we hear about. If you are one of those people, like me, I want you to really listen to what...

On behalf of the Centro de Portugal Film Commission, I am honored and excited to share the news of our partnership with Stage 32 Certification. As someone dedicated to fostering talent and building professional pathways in Portugal’s emerging film landscape, I know firsthand how significant this collaboration is for developing the creative community here. Stage 32 Certification is so much more than a digital credential; it is an industry-changing resource, equipping Portuguese filmmakers and c...

Over the past year, actors have been reaching out to me for advice on everything from starting a career with no connections to self-tape auditions to contacting casting directors. Between this and my experience assisting my wonderful agent, I’ve noticed many common challenges and mistakes—and compiled a comprehensive list of tips and advice. Thank you for taking the time to read; I hope you find at least one useful part (if not more). Let’s begin! IT'S QUIET...TOO QUIET I regularly hear f...

I'll spare you the 394th Warner Bros. acquisition digest. I'm sure you've heard enough expert opinions. Instead, I want to take an optimistic view of the business and talk about what can really affect your day-to-day as an independent producer, creator, writer or content maker. While big conglomerates play Russian dolls with M&As, we're seeing smaller platforms targeting audience niches…and that's what excites me. With Tubi exceeding 100 million monthly active users and Angel Studios surpassin...

Happy Tuesday, Creative Army! Every now and then, you get one of those moments where the work, the passion, the belief, and the years of pushing uphill finally land in a way that makes you stop, breathe, and say, “Yeah… this is why we do it.” Today is one of those days. Recently, Forbes published a full feature on Stage 32 and our Certification Program — calling us “the future of film school and career education.” You can read the article by clicking here! To say this is an honor is an...

Happy Monday, Creative Army! Stage 32 Managing Director Amanda Toney and I had the honor of representing Stage 32 at the 43rd Torino Film Festival and Torino Film Industry in Torino, Italy. And let me tell you: Italy is not just open for business, they are hungry to create more opportunities for filmmakers around the world — and Stage 32 is right in the center of it. How This All Started This relationship began months ago at our Stage 32 Film Commission VIP event in Cannes. What started as...

A conundrum is plaguing Hollywood: to get buyers or financiers interested, you need A-list talent or a director attached, ideally underlying IP, and a production company already involved. Most agents and managers don't have the bandwidth to package for their clients, and producers are chasing projects that are further along. In this marketplace, it can seem impossible to "break in." But here's the silver lining: these challenging conditions are forcing writers and filmmakers to become entrepre...

Happy Monday, Stage 32 Community! We're coming into the home stretch of 2025, and I want to talk about something that doesn't get enough attention: what happens after the momentum stops. November Write Club has been incredible. Hundreds of writers showed up every day, engaging in the lounges, commenting on blogs, supporting each other, pushing toward their goals. The energy has been real, the progress has been tangible, and the wins have been stacking up. But here's what I always see happe...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. This week, I want to spotlight a video that hits on something I think many creatives forget: the power of risk, reinvention, and saying yes before you feel ready. Today’s featured video comes from Vanity Fair, Bren...