Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend, everyone.
To me, this weekend is about so much more than just swapping bios; it’s about truly showing up for each other. It's about sharing our journeys, lifting each other up, and passing along the wisdom we wish we’d had when we first started out.
At the end of the day, filmmaking matters because of empathy. Movies have this beautiful, rare power to wake us up, snap us out of the daily grind, and remind us of our shared humanity. Watching Spielberg Disclosure Day last week completely drove that home for me. Great cinema doesn't just entertain; it expands our hearts, raises awareness, and gently challenges us to be better humans.
A little bit about me:
I’m Sandra Isabel, a writer-director and executive producer. I pour my heart into character-driven stories, social impact, and films that shift perspectives and spark real conversations.
I also love giving back to this incredible Stage 32 community! You can usually find me around here hosting educational webinars or acting as your Stage 32 moderator in the Writer's Room and Producing Lounges. I'm always here to support your journey :))
I really believe our creative space thrives when we lean into:
- Community over competition: We truly rise faster when we rise together.
- Generosity: Sharing the exact insight or encouragement someone else needs today.
- Courage: Showing up authentically, just as you are.
- Deep connection: The kind that sparks lifelong friendships and unexpected creative magic.
And that's why I feel like home in Stage 32. I hope you can feel the same.
I’d absolutely love to connect with you! If you’ve been here a while, what’s the most beautiful lesson Stage 32 has taught you? Or, if you’re brand new, what are you hoping to find here?
Let’s chat! Meanwhile, have some fun also :))
PS: Photo me and Oscar :D (dreams come true :))
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Hello Hello! I hope you’re doing well Sandra Isabel
I’m so thrilled to know you and to have the opportunity to learn from you throughout my creative journey.
Happy IYW to you! I’m sending you my very best wishes for achieving your dreams and producing many more wonderful films.
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My dear sweet sister Sandra Isabel - you are such a joy to know. Thank you for always being the kidn friend that you are and always being so encouraging. Happy IY Weekend!!!
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Well said Sandra! It's always great to hear from you! I wish the community would be a little more interactive. I know we have people all over the world here, but we always seem to hear only from a select few. Let's send this wonderful site to the moon...and back. Leave comments...celebrate every win...enjoy the verbal jousting...share your experiences, those that worked and those that didn't...it is all important. We are all trying to find that road to success...let's figure it out together.
Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you’re a director. Everything after that you’re just negotiating your budget and your fee.– James Cameron
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Hi Sandra, love this! The photo says it all — dreams really do come true. And you're so right about community over competition being what makes Stage 32 special. RB's Cannes recap blog just dropped if you haven't caught it yet — lots of great industry insights. So glad you're part of this community!
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@sandraisabel Absolutely!! \o/
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Look at this rock star! Love seeing you fly @sandra and i absolutely adore watching your journey - it's so authentically you! Wishing you all the success in the world!
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My brother, Leonardo Ramirez. Thank you so much, and I hope you had a lovely Father's Day honoring your dad and mom with your family. We must celebrate them with gratitude and love. I know you do that and also with good food recipes. :)
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Oh, my sweet Meriem Bouziani. You are sunshine in my life, and I am grateful to know you. I hope you had a lovely IYW and are now ready for next steps on your screenwriting journey. Always here rooting for you :)
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Hey Curt Samlaska, How are you, my friend? Good to see you here. I love that, and it's so easy, isn't it? I learned so much from you in my directorial debut, and I keep some advice with me. Yes, networking is vital and we learn from everyone. Thank you for passing by and stay in touch :)
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Hey Samantha Rivera, thank you. Yes, dreams come true and I have lived some of my own. But I have much more now :) Yes, I saw RB's blog, and his lectures are always a class. I hope you had a delighted IYW.
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Jack Binder :)) <3
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Thank you, Lauren Hackney. Most of all, I try to have fun along my filmmaking journey. I love it. I have seen your progress, and I am really proud of you. Keep going. Dreams come true.
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Hi Sandra Isabel, nice to (re)meet you here! I actually haven't read one your intros since connecting sometime back, so this was a paradoxical first meeting.
"I pour my heart into character-driven stories, social impact, and films that shift perspectives and spark real conversations."
Nice, I am writing a drama now that reflects this in a way.
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Hi Sandra! I run a local news show, an intern program, and a short film production company in northern NJ. We have 2 films competing against each other in the same festival - who do we root for??
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I sure did Sandra Isabel - they made it wonderful. And you're right, in the midst of struggle, gratitude is the best medicine.
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so cool. am a Dubai base film maker currently working on co-producing my upcoming script title; seven spirits. is a cinema project that will connect global actors so as to reach wider audience. love to connect with producers, executive producers and directors so as to produce this project
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Hi Sandra. Brian Kurlander and I are coauthors of Almost Broken - we have a TV Series pilot, bible and pitch deck based on 10 novel series franchise, looking for the right production partner
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Thank you very much for your encouragement and great support to me Sandra
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Great accomplishments!! Your photo is an inspiration to me!!
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Sooner or later one of these little guys is going to be yours Sandra Isabel :))
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You are welcome again Michael Dzurak :)) I am happy for that, because writing or directing for me has to bring social awareness with my character driven stories and evoke emotions and questioning that audiences usually are not used to. Got your DM. Will reply shortly :)
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Hi Brian Mortensen, happy to e-meet you. Wow, you have so many things on your plate; I love that. That's entrepreneurship. ;) Congratulations on both films being in the same festival. I would say it depends on what each one means for you and your company and your goals with each one. But having two, increases your production company chances of winning or being selected or being a finalist over having only one :) At the end, it means you are doing a good job and that you bet in the right "horses" :)
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Hi Oghenekevwe Ajueyitsi, welcome. First of all, congratulations on Seven Spirits and for actively looking for the next steps. My advice: Make a post at Your Stage lounge with what you need and are looking for. Here's the link: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/promotion
Also, you can send an email to our Sucess Team: success@stage32.com asking for advice.
If you’re new to Stage 32, check out the last Open House webcast our Head of Community Ashley Smith did to help you understand how Stage 32 can help you in your career: https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/education-classes
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Hi Edwin Dasso, happy to e-meet you. Congratulations for Almost broken, that's a big achievement. You are looking for a production company, so the best path is to do pitch sessions or consulting. You have some options: You can pitch to any executive you choose if you feel it's aligned with your theme and genre: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/pitch-sessions
Also, you can buy a Script Consulting with an executive you choose. All of this is a paid option: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/consulting
But if you need advice about who will be the producer or executive who is looking for projects like yours, you can send an email to our Sucess Team: success@stage32.com asking exactly that.
I hope this helps you to find your production.
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Ahahah Jen Winters, that was the intention LOL. I think it inspires all of us :))
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Ahahha Maria Caeiro, who knows :))