Stage 32 2-Part Lab: Elevate Your Acting Reel
Other education that may be of interest to you:
How To Produce In The Global Market
Learn How To Produce In The Global Entertainment Marketplace From An International Producing Expert As global audiences thrive and enjoy content for all over the world, the entertainment industry continues to build internationally, and in this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand class, you’ll learn exactly how to get into the global entertainment marketplace with your projects. Over four information-packed sessions, you’ll be guided by international producer Alexia Melocchi of Little Studio Films. Alexia has made a career out of successfully acting as a bridge between Hollywood and the international marketplace. She previously worked as a distributor and sales agent, where she sold over 50 films to profit for clients and acquired more than 150 major studio and independent films, including LA LA LAND, NOW YOU SEE ME 2, and more. Alexia will show you the ins and outs of the international industry, including: The processes and etiquette you need to know The rules and regulations to follow The pitching materials you need, depending on the market How to access the players when you don’t have connections Financing options, including tax credits vs. co-pros vs. in-kind services And more You'll also receive these confidential handouts from Alexia: The top companies in Europe, Canada, and Australia taking project submissions Marketing one-sheet used by international sales agents Sample email for contacting international buyers Don’t miss out on the chance to learn from one of the most prolific international executives by taking this class. You’ll walk away a step closer to seeing your films and TV shows made as you embrace the global wave and launch your international producing career. Praise for Alexia's Previous Stage 32 Education: "Really great. Actually useful, practical advice. Wasn't full of bullshit platitudes, Alexia shot straight with us." -Max W. "Alexia did a fantastic job of making it all relatable and cutting through the noise." -Clint G. "Alexia is clearly very experienced & she is so gracious in sharing her wisdom with all of us. I'm truly grateful that you all put on this class!" -Becca G.
Pre-Production Musts To Set Any Filmmakers Up For Success
As a filmmaker, you know that every opportunity to shoot your story is precious. The days when your team is working, your cameras are rolling and your actors are in hair and make-up are days of golden opportunity. But they can also be days of stress and frustration if you haven't prepared properly during pre-production. We want you to have the best shoot days possible and that's why this webinar is invaluable for filmmakers. In this webinar, accomplished director Heath Cullens shares his process of preparing for a shoot exclusively with the Stage 32 community. As a filmmaker, the importance of preparation during pre-production cannot be overstated. Here is your chance to learn how best to prepare from a world-class director. Heath Cullens is a director best known for directing IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, AP BIO, GREAT MINDS WITH DAN HARMON, and FX’s YOU’RE THE WORST. Currently, he is directing MYTHIC QUEST for Apple TV. A good filmmaker is a prepared filmmaker. Filmmakers must focus on getting the story they envision onto the screen, but that vision will unravel if you don’t prepare before. However, if you do prepare properly, you give your film the best chance for success. You’ll receive a step-by-step approach to utilize on your projects to ensure a smooth, productive, and creatively rewarding on-set experience for you and your production team. You’ll cover how to: Hire the best team Communicate your vision Prioritize what you need to shoot Structure your shoot day Create a strategy with your DP Properly use rehearsal time and table reads And much more By the end of this webinar you’ll have a process you can use - and the ability to revisit the lesson on Stage 32 - to ensure the confidence to lead your team as a filmmaker. PRAISE FOR HEATH'S TEACHINGS: "I thought it was on point and very informative. Heath was great." -Frank L.
Step by Step Breakdown of Film Domestic Distribution Contracts
Filmmakers, producers, and financiers can really be held back by distribution contracts. If they don’t understand the language or terms, are passive or held hostage by a feeling that they may be getting ripped off, or simply do not have the support system to advise them or the knowledge to know what to fight for, they can find themselves at an extreme disadvantage. In many cases, the excitement of the "someone likes my movie/let's get it out there" mentality supersedes common sense. And that alone can lead you into giving away your rights, accepting horrendous percentages or agreeing to terms that lock you and your project up. Don't fall into these traps! You worked hard on your film. You sacrificed time and likely money to get to this point. While most might think this is time to hit the gas pedal, it's actually time to tap the brakes. You want to be sure you're doing everything humanly possible to not only protect yourself, your investors and your team, but maximizing your film's potential in the marketplace. Anna Darrah is an experienced film buyer, negotiating with and licensing over 800 films in her 12 years working for Gaiam and Spiritual Cinema Circle. She has been an active player on the festival circuit and currently advises filmmakers on custom distribution strategies. Anna is also a filmmaker who produced two documentaries that aired on The Sundance Channel, and directed a music video and the short film THE MATTER OF MAGIC. She also produced a feature-length documentary about Helen Schreider (www.THEHELENMOVIE.com) while also making short films for the ZILLOW.COM series, HOMEMAKERS. Anna has enjoyed jurying and participating in film festival panels and workshops here and abroad and is currently offering a Film Distribution Workshop co-taught with Jilann Spitzmiller. Now Anna brings her knowledge and teaching prowess to Stage 32. Anna will begin by breaking down theatrical and broadcast rights as well as exclusive and non-exclusive deals. She'll dive into breaking down deal points including term, territory, rights and compensation. She'll discuss standard terms and point out red flags within and speak to what you should negotiate to assure you get the best, and most fair, deal. She will even look at the negotiation process from the other side of the table so you can understand what a distributor truly wants out of a deal. Thinking outside the box, Anna will even discuss going the DIY distribution route or a hybrid DIY/traditional distribution path. All this and much more. It’s incredible how each contract is like a snowflake -- totally unique and yet similar in some very important ways. I will help you understand the entire distribution arena so you can sleep well knowing you've made the best deal for you, your partners and, most importantly, your film. - Anna Darrah PRAISE FOR ANNA'S TEACHINGS: "Excellent overview of terms to be aware of when negotiating or reviewing a distribution agreement." - Valerie N. "Anna was great, the information she shared was so very useful!" - Christian C. "For a complex subject, Anna made it all so simple and easy to follow. Excellent webinar!" - Drea P. "A knockout." - Mana W.
How You Can Write and Produce a Romantic Comedy Movie That Sells
Learn the most effective strategies on how to write and produce a romantic comedy feature from Matt Bierman, a producer and executive who has worked at Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Bros., Village Roadshow, and more! In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, you'll learn the fundamentals of creating a successful romantic comedy. This is your chance to learn how to craft a winning story, identify target buyers, and explore budgeting and monetization strategies to make your film a success. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this webinar is a must-attend for anyone looking to make their mark in the world of romantic comedies. Your Stage 32 Educator is Matt Bierman, a studio executive and producer who has previously worked as an executive at Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Bros., Village Roadshow, and more. Matt is an expert in the field of romantic comedies having produced Christmas With the Darlings, Love at First Bark, Love Under the Stars, Memories of Christmas, and more. Under Matt's guidance, you will learn how to map out your unique idea using his proven tactics and techniques. Matt will cover how to develop, write and produce a successful rom-com you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the key elements that make for a successful film. You will cover the complete gambit of what makes a successful romantic comedy: understanding your audience, exploring the various sub-genres of this feature type and discussing rom-com script structure. You will also get key tips on current market trends and needs, valuable insight into who the buyers of such features are and what they are looking for and Matt will also walk you through the economics of romantic comedies including physical production considerations. Don't miss out on your chance to learn how to create and produce your romantic comedy feature! Praise for Matt's Talent & Knowledge: “Matt Bierman is one of the best movie execs and producers that I have worked with” – Brian Levant, Director of Jingle All The Way, A Christmas Story 2 "This lab was one of the best educational experiences I have ever experienced. I feel so confident in my work after getting guidance from Matt. Thank you, Stage 32!" -- Rebecca M. "Matt Bierman knows his stuff! I highly recommend taking any course he is teaching." -- Marcus E.
How To Get The Attention Of An A-List Star's Production Company
In recent years, studios and streamers have created production shingles with top on-screen talent at a furious pace. They rely on this big name talent to bring them ideas so aligning yourself with one of these A-Lister's companies can increase the odds of your project happening. And all of these production companies have development executives and are open for business. Learn how you can get the attention of an A-list star's production company for your next film or television project from esteemed executive Liliana Granados, who was Creative Executive at Viola Davis' JuVee Productions and Director of Development at Eugenio Derbez's 3Pas Studios! One way to put your project on a successful path is to set it up at an A-List star's production company. In the lest several years, the big studios and streamers have made deals with A-List stars and rely on their production companies to bring in ideas and fulfill the terms of their deals. The studios and streamers are incentivized to work with the stars they have in deals. And each of these companies has development executives and are open for business. Sometimes setting your project up with them is is the easiest path into the big streamers and studios. So how do you capture the attention of these star-led production companies? How can you craft a pitch that not only grabs their interest but also aligns with the aspirations of the actors they seek? We’re here to help. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn how you can attract the attention of an A-list actor’s production company for your film or television project. You will learn the indispensable elements necessary to captivate star-led production companies, including aligning your project with the company’s brand and how to approach the project from an actor’s perspective. Teaching you everything you need to know to successfully approach a star-backed production company is esteemed film executive Liliana Granados, whose illustrious career has woven through the corridors of entertainment alongside luminaries like Viola Davis, Sofia Vergara, and Eugenio Derbez. Liliana worked as a Creative Executive at Viola Davis' JuVee Productions where she executed her passion for developing projects that celebrate culture and diversity. Most notably, Liliana participated in the development of TriStar’s WOMAN KING as well as helped shepherd Amazon and MRC’s upcoming G20 film. Recently, Granados served as the Director of Development at Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios, where she helped build the film drama department. In an information-packed 90 minutes, Liliana will draw from her rich professional experiences to unravel the intricacies of crafting a compelling pitch tailored to these star-led entities, sharing insights into what actors truly seek in projects. You will walk away from this webinar with the tools and knowledge you need to navigate this current landscape and understand the pulse of what captures the imagination of both actors and the entities they helm. PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you get the attention of an A-list actor's production company. "As an executive with extensive experience across multiple actor-led companies, I've had the privilege of evaluating numerous pitches and contributing insights at various film festival panels, guiding filmmakers through the intricate art of pitching. Whether engaging with emerging creators or seasoned artists, I've witnessed firsthand how crafting a compelling pitch stands as the pivotal selling point for any project. Throughout my career, I've gathered invaluable insights into what resonates with actors when assessing potential projects. This knowledge has been honed through years of immersive industry exposure, enabling me to discern the elements that truly captivate actors and align projects with their aspirations.Now, I'm thrilled to distill this wealth of knowledge into a concise and actionable framework. My aim is to empower you with the strategic tools and insights necessary to elevate your pitch, significantly enhancing your project's potential for success. Together, let's navigate the nuanced landscape of pitching to ensure your project stands out and captures the attention it deserves." - Liliana Granados
The Adaptation Journey: Adapting Existing Intellectual Property for TV and Film
Learn how the pros acquire the rights to books or other intellectual property and adapt them into your favorite films and television shows, from a writer who’s worked with Clint Eastwood, Kevin Bacon and more! IP, short for “intellectual property,” has become the buzzword in recent years. Sometimes it seems like there aren’t any originals left. So if IP is what producers want, how are you supposed to get them to read your original pilot? Maybe it’s time to adapt that short story, magazine article, or epic fantasy novel you’ve had on your mind for years. Now, where do you begin? How do you lock down IP before someone else does? What does it cost to get the rights to the source material? And once you do get the rights, how do you attack it so that it has your voice but stays true to the original? In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, you’ll learn the ins and outs of landing the rights to every kind of source material, including understanding the chain of title, how to approach the author or reps of the IP, and the different rights agreements available to you. You’ll know how to break the story in a way that audiences will love while still making the story your own, and how to attract talent to create a package that sells. Taking you through the journey of adaptation is Micky Levy, a screenwriter who launched herself in the industry with the script RAILS & TIES, which was directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Kevin Bacon and Marcia Gay Harden. She has a long history of adapting IP, including AMISH GRACE, which earned her a Humanitas Prize nomination, NOBODY by Caryl Phillips, DANCING IN THE DARK, THE COINCIDENCE MAKERS by Yuav Blum, and STOLEN WATERS by Ada Shauluv. Micky will take you through the process of securing IP, her own process of breaking the story, and how to launch your own writing career or package the project to produce. Micky will even provide examples of decks and mood boards that help emerging writers and producers sell their projects and that you can use to create a buzz for the next hit film or series created by you. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask Micky any questions you have during the live webinar about your own adaptation, writing process, or breaking into the industry. With Micky’s incredible industry experience, you can use this webinar to get ahead of the trends and snag the next juggernaut project based on IP that you had the foresight to discover. PRAISE FOR MICKY'S TEACHINGS: "Micky Levy was really well prepared and gave tremendous advice. Not only an experienced screenwriter and a skilled communicator, but just a fine human being too." -John D. "The webinar was very informative and helpful. I appreciated the inclusion of the instructor's own pitch deck during the presentation to have as an example." -Ardith M. "GREAT info - I will have to watch the replay to get it all again! Thank you!" -Paolina M.
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