Welcome to July Filmmakers Club, Stage 32 Community!

If you’re just joining us, here’s what you need to know: July Filmmakers Club is your month-long creative accelerator, designed to help you connect with fellow filmmakers, set clear intentions, and move your projects forward with purpose, in partnership with Blackmagic Design. Every week, we'll be sharing a new July Filmmakers Club blog packed with inspiration, resources, and a new creative challenge to keep you motivated and making progress.

Oh, and did I mention the giveaways? That’s right, we’ll be celebrating your participation with weekly prize drawings, including Stage 32 webinars, pitch sessions, consultations, contest entries, and more. At the end of the month, we'll be giving away FREE prizes from Blackmagic to lucky winners who participated throughout the full month.

This month is about action. And we’re starting where all great projects begin, with goals.

Understanding the Independent Filmmaking Journey

Indie filmmaking doesn’t come with a roadmap. It’s a journey of passion, grit, and creative problem-solving. One minute you’re scouting locations and dreaming big, the next you’re figuring out how to stretch a micro-budget and still feed your crew. It’s exhilarating and exhausting. And that’s why community matters.

Filmmaking can feel isolating. That’s why Stage 32 exists: to make sure no creative has to go it alone. Whether you’re directing your first short, assembling a festival strategy, or navigating distribution deals, there’s someone here who’s been through it or is going through it alongside you right now.

So as you set your goals this July, remember: You’re not doing this alone. The entire Stage 32 community is here to support you, celebrate you, and help you get where you want to go.

Why Goals Matter for Filmmakers

Let’s be honest, independent filmmaking is a beautiful, messy, unpredictable ride. Most of us are balancing our creative pursuits with day jobs, families, side hustles, or all of the above. That’s why goal-setting isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.

Goals help break down the overwhelming into the achievable. They offer a sense of direction when the path feels uncertain. And maybe most importantly, they remind you that progress isn’t always about giant leaps; it’s often made one small step, one hard decision, or one bold action at a time.

You don’t need to have every scene shot or every dollar raised this month to feel accomplished. You just need to move forward. That could mean writing five new pages, reaching out to a producer you admire, or finally hitting “post” on a behind-the-scenes photo. Your goals are yours to define.

The key? Keep it personal, practical, and progress-oriented.

Examples of Achievable Filmmaking Goals

Need inspiration? Here are a few bite-sized and bold filmmaking goals you can set for yourself this July:

• Finish the first draft of your short film script
• Watch and break down three films that align with your visual style
• Research and apply to three upcoming film festivals
• Build your pitch deck for a feature in development
• Assemble a team for your next short or proof-of-concept
• Book a Stage 32 Script or Career Consultation with an industry executive
• Reach out to a DP or editor you’d love to collaborate with and start building that relationship
• Share a reel, teaser, or scene from your project to start building an audience and ask for feedback

Remember, every major win starts with a single decision to move forward.

Stage 32 Resources to Move You Forward

Here are a few powerful Stage 32 tools to help you take the next step:

• Stage 32 Education: Webinars, classes, and labs taught by working filmmakers and executives to elevate your craft and career
• Script Services & Pitch Sessions: Get industry-standard feedback or pitch your project to an exec ready to listen
• Stage 32 Filmmaking Lounge: Connect with fellow creatives, ask questions, and build your support network
• Writer’s Room: Join a thriving creative community with weekly webcasts, feedback exchanges, pitch practice, and a peer network that never stops showing up
• First month free: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip

This Week’s July Filmmakers Club Challenge: GOALS

Your first challenge of July is all about getting honest, intentional, and clear on what you want to accomplish this month. Completing the challenges below will automatically enter you to win a FREE Stage 32 Pitch Session—winner announced in next week’s blog!

Week One Challenges:

1. Comment on this blog below with your thoughts, a question for me, or what you’re most excited about this July.
2. Post in the Stage 32 Filmmaking Lounge and share your current filmmaking goals with the community! You can find the Lounge quickly by clicking HERE.
3. Comment on at least 3 other members’ posts in the Filmmaking Lounge to offer insights, encouragement, or support.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This

If your goals feel daunting, I want to remind you that you’re not behind. You’re not too late. And you don’t have to have it all figured out right now. This month is about discovering what matters most to you and committing to just one step forward at a time.

So whether you’re here to finish a script, find your team, or simply reconnect with your creative identity, we see you and we’re with you. July Filmmakers Club is your invitation to lean in, get inspired, and remind yourself what you’re capable of.

Make sure you’re following @Stage32 and @rbwalksintoabar to stay in the loop on giveaways, challenges, and new resources all month long.

Let’s get rolling.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Ashley at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

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