Stage 32 + Hollyshorts Short Film Program - Q&A With Filmmakers [Video]

This weekend we premiered the 2nd Annual Stage 32 Short Film Program in Los Angeles at the 2017 Hollyshorts Film Festival. In one word, it was inspiring. We had the pleasure of showcasing a program of 7 films representing 4 different countries - all with varying creativity. The audience included Stage 32 members and executives from Lionsgate, Samaco Films, Whitewater Films, Kodak, Legion M, CAA and more who all told us how blown away they were with the talent here in the Stage 32 community. After the screening we brought the filmmakers up on stage to discuss their projects lead by our very own CEO Richard "RB" Botto. We wanted to share the Q&A which included (L-R): “Six Letter Word” directed by Lisanne Sartor (US)  “Monsters” directed by Steve Desmond (US) “Must Escape” directed by Vadyam Shapran (Ukraine)  "The Light in the Afternoon" directed by David Steiner (France), represented by Mathilde Chartier (France)    Enjoy!                  Congratulations again To The 2017 Stage 32 Short Film Program Filmmakers: “Must Escape” directed by Vadyam Shapran (Ukraine) – A man discovers he’s the protagonist in a cliché, short student film and struggles to get out of it. “Sisters” directed by Taylor Shortall (US) – Part exercise of passion, and part love letter, "Sisters" is a fragment of some lost, tragic opera. “Monsters” directed by Steve Desmond (US) – Jenn lives in an underground bunker with her family, protected from the monsters that now ravage the world. This is the day that she goes outside… “Eliza” directed by Mikko Lopponen (Finland) – When a vicious drug gang discovers they’ve been infiltrated by an undercover cop, they move in killing him and leaving his wife stranded – little did they know that they just signed their own death warrants. “Dryad” directed by Thomas Vernay Cumulus (France) – The wind blows and lightning approaches ominously, while a knight escorts a damsel through the woods. He can sense the end is near. "The Light in the Afternoon" directed by David Steiner (France) - He had no family, no father, no model. No one had told him life was just... that. When he ran into her after 7 years, she suggested it. “Six Letter Word” directed by Lisanne Sartor (US) – An unlikely mother is forced to come to terms her young son’s autism after an unexpected encounter with one her johns.       Like this blog post? Please share it on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email etc) by using social media buttons at the top of the blog. Or post to your personal blog and anywhere else you feel appropriate. Thank you. As always, we welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the Comments section below...  Read More

Optioning My TV Series & Signing a Shopping Agreement From Outside of L.A.

I’m sure many people in this industry outside of Los Angeles wonder a lot about whether or not they should move to the West Coast to make their dreams come true. While I can continue to complain about the fact that my commute to work takes almost 2 hours and things spontaneously combust into flames over here, I completely get it. When you think about L.A., the images of red carpets, talented celebrities, and studios as far as they eye can see come vividly, and it basically is the reality of it. Just talking to people in line at the Burbank Costco or in “da club”, I’ve talked to 10x more actors and writers than I ever did in Minnesota. Even though there are so many physical opportunities here in terms of people and productions, the fact that you have to be in California to have an entertainment career is outdated. With the emergence of avenues like YouTube and Stage 32, people have been able to find success in this industry within their own homes. Take our very own Stage 32er Brent Kado for example. Even with moving to Chicago, Brent was able to maintain his industry contacts through the Stage 32 site, and has even optioned his series and signed a shopping agreement with Indigo Films with the help of WEtv after receiving constructive advice through our Stage 32 pitching feedback services! INDIGO FILMS is an independent television production company with a long-standing reputation for developing and producing exceptional programming across a wide variety of genres. Networks produced for include Investigation Discovery, Nat Geo WILD, Travel Channel and LMN. The project pitch is now in its second round of executive reviews at Amazon! Let's give Brent a huge congratulations in the comments section below!       If there’s anything to take away here, before you decide to quit your job and abandon your old life in the pursuit of your dreams, try everything you can locally. Set a foundation for you to feel like you’re ready to take the next step. Even if you know you’d sacrifice a lot to make your dreams work, remember that there are thousands that are willing to do just as much if not more than you. It’s so important to work smart in this industry, and there’s a lot of opportunities you can commit to through your computer screen. Head over to our YouTube page to watch him talk about his success, how he did it, and advice he has to other writers. And, while you're there, don't forget to subscribe so you always get our latest updates!    CLICK HERE TO WATCH BRENT'S SUCCESS STORY     And, while you're there, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube page to get the latest updates on our videos as they're released!       About Joseph Dinh: I am currently a Psychology student at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and have recently finished my internship with Zaza Productions. I write and act, with an emphasis on comedy. I'd love to collaborate with other people and work on projects together, so hit me up if you need help or just want someone to work with! Feel free to check out my work on my reel. Like this blog post? Please share it on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email etc) by using social media buttons at the top of the blog. Or post to your personal blog and anywhere else you feel appropriate. Thank you. As always, we welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the Comments section below...Read More