Hey Stage 32 family!
Jumping in for Introduce Yourself Weekend! For anyone I haven't crossed paths with yet, I’m a writer-director, executive producer, serial entrepreneur, and proud Stage 32 Lounge Moderator & Education Team member reporting in from sunny Lisbon, Portugal!
Right now, I'm juggling a whole wardrobe of creative hats across my slate: prepping to direct my feature drama THE MISSTEP, playing matchmaker and packaging my romantic drama SOUL MATED for another director, and dipping my toes into new waters with my vertical drama HER FORBIDDEN AFFAIR (Attached is the official poster for Her Forbidden Affair, a high-stakes female queer romantic-thriller!)
Current August Focus:
Because apparently, my idea of a "relaxing summer vacation" is diving headfirst into Stage 32’s 5-Part Film Finance Lab with Sara Elizabeth Timmins to sharpen my investor packaging! Spreadsheet-nerd mode fully activated :D
Honestly, so much of this momentum happens because I'm a Writers' Room VIP. Being in the Writers' Room gives us access to killer perks and industry opportunities that only this lounge unlocks. If you want to take it for a test drive, Stage 32 gives you your first month free. Grab it here and come hang out with us: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip
Also, fun bonus! Every Thursday, I co-host Coverage Workshopping with the wonderful Kay Ross, specially timed for Europe and the UK during that prime sunset hour.
I’d love to meet all the incredible filmmakers, writers, and producers lurking around here! Drop a comment below, tell me what crazy creative project you’re bringing to life this month, and let’s connect!
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My dear sweet friend Sandra Isabel - happy introduce yourself weekend my sister! And I had to laugh out loud at this "my idea of a "relaxing summer vacation" because we all go through this. We plan a rest until something pops up and we say, "I can't ignore this". I know how you feel! Mucho love, my friend.
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Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend mi hermano :) Ahaha Leonardo Ramirez we are so aligned :) So here I am... at the beach with spreadsheets as my pillow LOL
Summer mode on, producer brain never off. I hope you’re having an amazing summer too.
And huge congratulations on Homeless being selected for the Palma Film Festival in Mallorca. That’s such a beautiful achievement. I really believe it’s time to start planning how to bring Homeless to life; the world deserves to see it, my friend <3
Mallorca... what a dream. I had one of my best holidays there. It really does feel like paradise. Go and stop by Lisbon hehehe
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Are you seriously at the beach right now Sandra Isabel ? Oh how fun!!! Yes, I do like the idea of going there and stopping by!! Love that!
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I am Leonardo Ramirez. My holidays are in front of the beach :)) When you want :))
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Sandra, I love the energy in this update — you definitely have a full creative wardrobe right now. Congratulations on all the momentum with The Misstep, Soul Mated, and Her Forbidden Affair.
I’m especially interested in your move into vertical storytelling and the finance lab, because both areas are becoming increasingly important for independent creators.
This month I’m continuing to develop and submit my own projects while also preparing a very short vertical directing sample, so I’m definitely in that “multiple hats at once” season too. Wishing you a brilliant August — and I’ll be cheering on everything you’re building from Lisbon.
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Another remarkable and inspiring update, Sandra Isabel. You're living life on your terms. Inspiring for all reading and lurking.
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Hey Charmane Wedderburn, Charmane, thank you my friend. Your words always land with so much clarity and kindness. It really is a full creative wardrobe this season, and I’m grateful for every piece of it. The vertical storytelling shift and the finance lab have stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but they’re giving me tools I know I’ll carry for a long time.
I love hearing that you’re preparing a vertical directing sample, it feels like the future for independent creators, and I can already imagine the precision and poetry you’ll bring to it. And yes, the “multiple hats” season… I’m right there with you. It’s wild, but it’s also where the breakthroughs happen.
Wishing you a brilliant August too. Happy IYW <3
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Thank you, Richard "RB" Botto’! “Living life on your terms" is the ultimate goal, isn't it? Stage 32 has played such a huge part in making this momentum possible, so I'm always happy to share the journey. It definitely takes a lot of juggling, but there’s nothing better than bringing these stories to life. Hopefully, it shows anyone lurking that you can build a multi-hyphenate career from anywhere in the world! Onward!
Appreciate you and everything you build for us every day! Cheers my friend <3
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Certainly should be, Sandra Isabel.
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Richard "RB" Botto ;))
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Sandra, thank you, my friend. I really appreciate that. I’m excited to see what I learn from stepping into directing, even on a very small scale. And I completely agree — these “multiple hats” seasons can be demanding, but they also seem to open unexpected doors. Happy IYW to you too.
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Hi, Sandra Isabel. I love the courage you have for wearing so many hats at the same time:) and inspire me so much. Right now I´ve just finished my short SHELTER and my Vertical The Fountain of Fear. However, my current big challenge is packaging my feature THE BOY WITH THE PAPER PLANES, building the right team, materials, and strategy, and then taking it to the market to secure an option:) I wish you all the best for all your projects and have a happy IYW.
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Ummmmmmm that movie poster is HOT! How did you come up with that design? I can't stop looking at it!
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Hey Maria Caeiro, thank you for that! Being an inspiration is such a responsibility hehehe but I am not the only one; you also inspires many of us in the community:)) Wow you are really busy and I am proud of you. Keep going. Happy IYW, my friend.
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It’s the poster for my Vertical Lauren Hackney and I am happy you can’t take your eyes from it :)) That’s my intention:)) just because Verticals are fast in everything. I made with AI, but I had a master who teaches myself how to do it, specially the main characters, we need to give good prompts as a director vision. I learned with Joshua Young, he knows a lot and gives good Stage 32 script services. If you want to learn, he’s the master :))
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Hey, Sandra Isabel! Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend! This is my first IYW in a while. Congratulations on your progress and accomplishments this year!
My idea of a "relaxing summer vacation" is writing. Movies, shows, listening to Gospel music, time with family, etc. too.
I'm writing an electrifying Faith-based Sports Action feature script this month.
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Thank you my friend <3 happy Introduce Yourself. It’s so good to see you here again Maurice Vaughan especially after everything you’ve been through. Makes me really happy.
Your summer sounds beautiful and full of soul, and I love that you’re diving into that faith‑based sports action feature. I can already feel the strength and fire in it:))
Wishing you a glowing month of writing, guided by your creative light and your faith.
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You're welcome, Sandra Isabel. Thanks. Hope you have a glowing month of writing and filmmaking. I'll keep you, your family, and friends in prayer.
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I am grateful for that Maurice Vaughan. Thank you <3 You are in my prayers always, you are special <3
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You're welcome, Sandra Isabel. Thanks.
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Sandra Isabel!
I love this update, and I love watching everything you’re building right now! The fact that you’re actively producing across different formats and genres shows real strategic thinking about where the industry is heading, and I have no doubt each of these projects is going to find its perfect audience.
Congratulations on diving into the 5-Part Film Finance Lab with Sara Elizabeth Timmins too! Investor packaging is such a valuable area to strengthen, and I love that you’re taking full advantage of Stage 32 resources to sharpen your craft. Spreadsheet-nerd mode is exactly the mode that turns great projects into fully-financed ones.
And a huge thank you for continuing to co-host Coverage Workshopping with Kay every Thursday! Members from Europe, the UK, and beyond are so lucky to have you both providing that dedicated space. You are such a genuine gift to this community, Sandy, and it means so much to have you here.
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Ashley Renée Smith, thank you, my sweet Sis. Your words mean more than you know. It’s been such a wild, beautiful season of building, learning, and trusting the path, and having you witness it with so much heart truly lifts me.
Producing across formats has been a real adventure, but you’re right, it feels aligned with where the industry is moving, and I’m loving the challenge. And the Film Finance Lab… WOW.
Spreadsheet‑nerd mode activated indeed. It’s stretching me in all the right ways, and I’m grateful for every tool Sara Elizabeth is sharing.
And co‑hosting Coverage Workshopping with Kay every Thursday is one of my happiest places. The energy, the growth, the community, it’s magic. I’m honored to hold that space with her.
Thank you for seeing me, Ash. Thank you for cheering for me. You’re also one of the brightest parts of this community, and I’m lucky to walk alongside you.
Sending you all the creative sunshine and August magic tonight <3 and days after :)) Luv u