Coffee & Content: When Studio Interference Is A Good Thing

Coffee & Content: When Studio Interference Is A Good Thing

Coffee & Content: When Studio Interference Is A Good Thing

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, I often see as we're having fun debating films in the lounges the idea that producers and executives aren't "storytellers," or that when these figures get involved with films their notes can ruin a script. And while there are times when this might be true, there are just as many occasions (sometimes more) when these different perspectives and even "rules" are thrown at creators and actually make it better. In this video from CinemaStix, they break down a great scene from the film Layer Cake that wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the studio executives who demanded a change for what may seem like silly reasons (the video may spoil some things for those who haven't seen the film as well, so be warned). Director Matthew Vaughn and writer J.J. Connolly may not have appreciated the request at first, but it wound up improving the storytelling and adding to the overall style and tone of the film.

Next up, we're diving deeper into the crime films (like Layer Cake) a step further with this video from FilmCourage featuring screenwriter and forensic specialist Jen Dornbush as she digs into the elements of writing a great crime story. I know many writers here on Stage 32 love this genre, and I hope you're thinking about these for crucial elements as you're crafting your scripts.

Lastly, I want to highlight some upcoming opportunities here on Stage 32 to work with some phenomenal industry professionals and get one-on-one sessions as you write your next scripts. For comedy writers, Spencer Robinson is walking you through how to write your half-hour pilot script, leaving you with a completed script in just six weeks. Prefer world creation to laughs? You can work with the VP of Development at Paramount TV Studios to write your sci-fi pilot script. And for feature writers, you can work with a global executive to craft your feature film script in any genre, or focus on the incredibly popular romantic comedy feature script.

As always, here at Stage 32, we love to share stories and knowledge with our fellow film fans. Know someone who would love this content? Share it with them! Tag them below! You can keep up with all of our content by subscribing to the Stage 32 YouTube. For more inspirational, educational, and motivational content on all things entertainment industry, follow me on Instagram and Twitter @rbwalksintoabar.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, & creative Sunday.

Cheers,

RB

CinemaStix | When A Little Studio Interference Turns Out To Be A Good Thing

YouTube Video

FilmCourage | 4 Writing Tools For Crime Writers

YouTube Video

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About the Author

Richard "RB" Botto

Richard "RB" Botto

Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist

Richard "RB" Botto has created the online platform and marketplace designed to democratize the entertainment industry, Stage 32. By leveling the playing field for all film, television and digital content creators and professionals worldwide, Stage 32 provides networking and training opportunities as...

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5 Comments on Richard RB's Article

Sandra Ray
3D Animator, Screenwriter, Visual Effects Artist
Fantastically creative! I very much enjoyed the CinemaStix video. I believe producers and executives ARE visual storytellers that help bring our visions roaring to life! They can give us inspiration and direction to grow and build our stories. As the clip has demonstrated, producers and executives can help us achieve that next level in our craft. If we collaborate and keep an open mind TOGETHER, we can have fun while making something unforgettable! : ) I found all of Jen Dornbush's advice on crime writing to be marvelous. Her advice to delve deeper layer by layer to uncover a deeper understanding of the criminal is right on point. It made sense that I could apply that thought to any of my stories or characters. I found her opinion, "settings can be their own character," inspirational. You broke the bat with this one, RB. Out of the park post! Thank you :)
2 years ago
Sandra Ray
3D Animator, Screenwriter, Visual Effects Artist
Ditto, RB! You just brightened my day. Thank you! : )
2 years ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Dig your style and perspective, Sandra. You couldn't be more spot on. This line says it all "If we collaborate and keep an open mind TOGETHER we can have fun while making something unforgettable!" Keeping an open mind isn't easy for some creatives and execs, but those who do reap the rewards more often than not. Appreciate all the sunshine and the thoughtful post!
2 years ago
William Joseph Hill
Actor, Screenwriter, Filmmaker
That "Layer Cake" video was especially interesting, RB -- I have to agree that the cut that eventually made it into the film was much better. It's great when you have a creative producer attached to your project who understands storytelling -- they can be a great collaborator.
2 years ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Zero doubt. That's why you have to pick your producing partners wisely. A hard lesson I had to learn along the way.
2 years ago
Geoff Hall
Screenwriter, Director, Producer
Hi “RB”. I think it’s interesting that the CinemaStix dude introduced the video with the phrase “for once”, which would suggest that he has plenty of examples of when that wasn’t the case. I don’t think we can say that every Producer is a visual storyteller, but yes some are. I have worked with Producers who are not. They will tell me that we need to cut this scene because it just blows the budget, but then say they know it will create a hole in the narrative, but that’s my job to fix. And I don’t mind that. I’m happy with that demarcation, but equally it’s about listening to one another and not imposing something on the other. But of course that’s a writer’s POV!
2 years ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Your perspective is spot on, Geoff. And yes, some producers are excellent at the money, handling the budget and back room activity and are not creative in the slightest. A good balance serves any production well.
2 years ago
Leonardo Ramirez
Screenwriter, Author, Voice Actor
This further cements my belief in collaboration. If it works with the editing process then it makes sense that it would work in the production process as well. As a writer, I typically have one or two core lines in the script that express the heart of the story or message that drove me to write it. If those one or two lines remain or are even reworked to convey the same message, I'm good. I've never worked on anything that wasn't made better by a new set of eyes.
2 years ago
Tom Stohlgren
Author, Researcher, Screenwriter
I loved the CinemaStix analysis of a good thriller sequence: uncertainty followed by ambiguity. Ambiguity followed by a drip feed of new information followed by a surprise resolution. I’ll add that to my action lines! In the writing tools for crime writers, I learned to dig deeper into the motive. I will now keep more extensive notes on the “layers.” I loved that sympathy for the murdered comes with understanding the root causes of the motive. Thanks for sharing, RB.
2 years ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Agree with the CinemaStix analysis, Tom. Insightful and food for thought. Appreciate the enthusiasm and happy to hear the content hit the mark.
2 years ago
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