THE STAGE 32 BLOG
Welcome to the Stage 32 Blog. Browse the archive, browse by tags, or search to get started...
How to Break Into the Film Biz with Stage 32's Richard Botto
Avoid These Crowdfunding Mistakes on Social Media!
How the Hollywood Narrative is Ruining Your Chances of Succeeding
9 Tips for Surviving an Independent Film Shoot
Success Story - Script Picked Up at Higher Purpose Entertainment
We Want Your Loglines, Videos and Content!
You may have noticed that we have added some new sections to the Browse section here on Stage 32. Over the last few weeks, we’ve been beta testing our new Loglines and Videos section and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. These new sections not only allow you to post your content to be viewed, rated and reviewed by your creative peers on Stage 32, but also makes it easier for producers, managers, agents, film financiers and others searching for new talent and mat…
How NOT to Land a Part in a Major Production
On set last week with Ben Stiller You've got big dreams to be an actor. You do bit parts here and there until one day, an opportunity arises that could take you from EXTRA to EXTRAORDINARY. Unless, of course, you let your ego get in the way and pull crap that blows up in your face. Last week, I spent a few days on the set of 'Escape from Dannemora', an 8-part Showtime miniseries directed by Ben Stiller. It stars Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano, and Benecio del Toro. First of …
Coffee & Content - The Actor/Director Relationship & The Art of Suspense (Blue Ruin)
Happy Sunday to all. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. Today, I bring you two videos I think you'll truly enjoy. First up, it's a look at how directors can get the most out of their actors by avoiding "Result Direction.” Next up, we look at one of the hottest indie directors of the last few years, Jeremy Saulnier. Jeremy's first two films, Blue Ruin and Green Room, were not only critical darlings on the festival circuit, but also lauded by storytellers and…
Success Story - Script Picked Up at Higher Purpose Entertainment
Since I've been with Stage 32, I’ve seen hundreds of writers land reads and requests or get signed by agents, managers and attorneys. All of these successes are causes for celebration, but few compare to the feeling we get connecting the perfect screenwriter to the right exec at the ideal time and seeing them sell or option their script! Stage 32 is thrilled to announce Stage 32 Happy Writer Lynne Logan from Orange County, California recently optioned her feature script, A Re…
Indiefilm & the Power of the Crowd - Here's the Cover!
Hey guys! Last week, I published a quick blog of the photo RB posted of the final proofs for Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers - Indiefilm and the Power of the Crowd. You can read that entry here. Today, I'm excited to share the final cover proof for the book and announce that the scheduled release date is now set for September 22nd. As a reminder, this is the very first book to be published on the subject of film crowdsourcing. Here's what's being said about the book: I…
Bust the Top Ten Creative Writing Myths to Become a Better Writer: Part 2
My last blog, part one, looked at five of the top ten creative writing myths responsible for much of the pain associated with failed writing and derailed storytelling . We examined, in reverse order of destructiveness, the myths ten through six: #10: Show don't tell. #9: The blank page is the enemy. #8: Write what you know. #7: Real writers write every day. #6: Storytelling and writing are the same. Now, we look at the top five myths, the worst of the worst and break down the lie a…
Busting the Top Ten Creative Writing Myths to Become a Better Writer - Part 1
We live in the age of click bait, sound bites and viral memes. On any given day, hour, minute, or second on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, you can find any number of cat videos or fortune-cookie platitudes meant to bolster one or another emotional cliché or bubble-gum metaphysical insipidity. They reflect our moods and emotional states, reinforce happy thoughts, or confirm our darkest vulnerabilities. We read them, consume them, have a laugh or a wistful shrug of self-reflection…
Coffee & Content - Tarantino on Finding Your Voice & The Cinematography of Moonlight
Happy Sunday, everyone. Another two videos this week for you to enjoy with your favorite roast. First up, it's Quentin Tarantino speaking about how films can inspire and influence, but how you can go about finding your original voice. Next, cinematographer James Laxton takes us behind the scenes on the making of Moonlight. It's a fantastic look at the mind of a terrific artist. Think you'll find it quite insightful. As always, I ask you to share this content with those yo…
Want To Make Your First Feature? Read This First.
There are about 34,000 films made every year worldwide. And that number is growing. Why are so many films being made these days? Well, one reason is that since the dawn of the digital revolution (about 16 years ago) anyone with an idea and an HD camera or smartphone can now make a film for about $1.25. Did you know that 13,782 films were submitted to Sundance this year? Yep. That's not a typo. Don't get me wrong. I think this digital revolution is a great turn of events. For s…
Sydneys Buzz: Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival is the most important film festival in North America as it opens the season of movie celebrations and the film business after a relatively quiet summer. Taking place September 7 to the 17, screening are sold out to the huge numbers of the Canadians who go so far as to take their vacations just so they can watch movies. The festival's People's Choice Award has become a predictor of awards-season success. Past recipients of this audience accolad…
Stage 32 Success Story: The Next Generation of Filmmakers
I've been blessed with the opportunity to speak at numerous festivals and conferences all over the world. Outside of having the opportunity to teach and share my experiences, nothing thrills me more than meeting Stage 32 members along the way and hearing how the platform played a part in their success. A few weeks back, I had one of my favorite moments of any event when I met 17 year old director Matthew Manyak and the cast and crew of his short film After the Fall at Hollyshorts. Wise,…
Coffee & Content - Adapting The Shining & Developing the Characters of True Detective
Happy Sunday, everyone. And for those celebrating in the States, Happy Labor Day weekend. In this edition of Coffee & Content, I have two videos I believe you'll find most informative. First up, it's Stanley Kubrick and The Shining. It's well documented that Stephen King was not on board with Kubrick's adaptation of his epic novel. In this video we see how and why Kubrick made his choices in what he included, expanded upon and what he left behind. Next up, a…
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