The Executive Hour with Norman Lesperance
You are not a VIP member
Only VIP members have access to this exclusive webinar library. Click here to subscribe to a VIP plan.
Webinar hosted by: The Executive Hour
Norman Lesperance is a Canadian-American screenwriter and director. Lesperance is best known for his screenwriting work on the upcoming feature film MORTAL (released by Lionsgate), directed by Andre Ovredal and produced by Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. Most recently, he adapted the young adult novel CHILDREN OF PARANOIA for CBS Films. Lesperance has won several screenwriting awards and has been optioned multiple times — among those, his screenplay THE HALLOWEEN STORY was picked up by eOne Entertainment. Lesperance is also an award-winning filmmaker. He recently directed his first feature, the indie psychological thriller DOOR TO THE OTHER SIDE (2017), released on VOD and DVD through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. He also penned and produced the indie crime thriller LOOKING FOR LIONS, which was nominated for best feature at the Austin Film Festival in 2014. Lesperance has worked extensively in the development process with several producers and executives from eOne to Mandalay Pictures and Broken Road Productions. Aside from his work in filmmaking, Norman has had a varied career in the arts. Lesperance studied filmmaking and photography at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. His photos have won awards in various art shows and competitions. Lesperance has also worked as an actor and voiceover artist in feature films, short films, and commercials. In his photographic work, Lesperance is inspired by finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. He aspires to turn things on their head and challenge his audience's perspective. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Stage 32’s fan-favorite webcast, The Executive Hour, returned with writer, director, and producer Norman Lesperance. From the feature MORTAL to his adaptation of Children of Paranoia, Norman walked us through what it truly took to move a story from page to screen. Our LIVE Writers’ Room audience dove into candid conversations about development, industry trends, and career guidance. Drawing on experiences that included The Halloween Story landing at Entertainment One, directing the psychological thriller Door to the Other Side, and producing the award-nominated indie Looking for Lions, Norman offered a rare perspective on the industry. Attendees learned practical strategies for navigating notes, building lasting professional relationships, surviving the transition from script to set, and avoiding the mistakes that stall promising careers. By the end of the session, writers walked away better equipped to pitch smarter, collaborate stronger, and step into production with clarity and confidence. The best education and networking opportunities are right here on Stage 32!
What You'll Learn
The Exec Hour Q & A with Writer/Director Norman Lesperance, with our LIVE Writers' Room audience learning about development, pitching, and the role writers play during production.
About Your Instructor
The Executive Hour
FAQs
Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.
If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.
Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.
YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN
If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:
- Log into your Stage 32 profile
- Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
- Go to www.stage32.com
- Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
- Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.
Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.
Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.
Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.
Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.
Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.
Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.
If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.
Share with friends:
Questions?
If you have a generic question about Stage 32 education you can take a look at our frequently asked questions section on our help page, or feel free to contact support with any other inquiries you might have.
Other education that may be of interest to you:
The Executive Hour with Joe Smith
The Executive Hour Webcast with Producer & Development Executive at Eclectic Pictures, Joe Smith! Join our LIVE audience of Writers' Room members as we welcome Joe, whose credits include hit films like the HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD and OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN, which grossed over $240 million! With over a decade of experience collaborating with top-tier talent, including MARK WAHLBERG, MICHAEL BAY, and MRBEAST, and co-producing the upcoming action epic RED SONJA (Fall 2025), Joe brings extensive production expertise to the Executive Hour. Joe brought extensive production expertise to the Executive Hour as he spoke about his career and answered questions from our audience.
The Executive Hour Webcast with Special Guest Producer Amy Baer
In this Executive Hour webcast, the Writers' Room welcomes the President of Gidden Media, billion dollar producer & executive Amy Baer! Amy's experience in the entertainment Industry spans major studios, independent financiers, and producing. Collectively, the films she has supervised and/or produced have grossed nearly $2 billion in worldwide box office. Before starting Gidden Media, Baer served as President & CEO of CBS Films, launching the division for CBS Corp. In 2012, Baer raised a 7-figure development fund and launched Gidden Media, a content incubation and production company. Its first film was the romantic drama MARY SHELLEY, starring Elle Fanning. Amy spent the previous 17 years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she oversaw such hit films as MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING, Oscar nominated ADAPTATION, S.W.A.T., SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE, and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, which earned Will Smith an Oscar nomination. She also developed the 2011 Oscar-nominated Sony hit MONEYBALL starring Brad Pitt. Amy became Board President of Women in Film in June 2018, stepping into the role at a critical juncture in Hollywood. During this webcast, Amy talks about the changing landscape of development and production in the industry, including what helps get a film made, the genres that she chooses to focus on, stories from developing MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING and other Sony classics, and how writers can gain momentum in a highly competitive business!
The Executive Hour with Alexia Melocchi
We're back in the Writers' Room for The Executive Hour with Alexia Melocchi. Alexia Melocchi is a partner in Little Studio Films and for over two decades has produced and sold award winning movies, documentaries and shorts, often partnering with emerging film makers she has personally discovered and mentored. Latest films by Little Film Studios are THE PANTANI AFFAIR which is with Amazon Studios Europe, A SOUL JOURNEY (Palm Springs International Film Festival and winner of URBANWORLD) and the upcoming Mini Series "THE MONKEY CLUB" with Oscar winner writer/producer Ron Bass. They also partially financed RIDE ABOVE directed by Christian Duguay, THE DESPERATE HOUR starring Naomi Watts, and WRONG TURN. In June 2020, Alexia signed a representation and development agreement with writer Seoras Wallace after connecting through Stage 32. Alexia says, "I would have never found him had it not been for Stage 32." Read the full story here. Alexia has acquired on behalf of her international distributor clients, film and television shows from all over the world for release in the Middle East, Italy, Greece, Spain, Canada, South America and Australia. Her clients have bought and partially financed films such as LA LA LAND, PEPPERMINT, THE BOY, TWILIGHT, TEEN SPIRIT AND THE BANKER. She is the host of THE HEART OF SHOW BUSINESS podcast. He company Little Studio Films acted as the sales representative for a DURAN DURAN documentary which sold in every major international territory and received a theatrical release, SERVICE TO MAN released through Entertainment Studios co- produced with Joel Zwick, SOL DE MEDIANOCHE released on HBO. She is fluent in five languages (Italian, Greek, French, Spanish and English), a personal asset that has allowed her to be involved in the financing and distribution of movies that have earned near $1 Billion dollars in box office returns worldwide. Always in the know of trends in film and television, she attends all major film festivals in the United States and internationally (CANNES, NATPE, BERLIN, VENICE, TORONTO, AFM, MIPTV) and has been frequently invited as an expert panelist on the Film Business at high profile film and television conventions. PRAISE FOR ALEXIA'S LESSIONS: "Thank you Alexia and K! Great conversations! Very inspirational!" -Peggy B. "Thanks Alexia for your expertise and support of struggling artists!!" -Debbie J. "Thank you Alexia! This was wonderful!" -Alexandria A.
The Executive Hour Webcast with Steve Desmond
We're back in the Writers' Room for the Executive Hour Webcast with Steve Desmond! Steve Desmond is one of the screenwriters of the upcoming feature film, "A Knock at the Cabin," which comes to theaters this February from Universal Studios and director M. Night Shyamalan. He has a second feature film currently in production at Paramount, which will be released in theaters in 2024. His screenplays have been voted onto the prestigious industry Black List four times, including "The Saturday Night Ghost Club," which he is attached to direct with Brad Fuller ("A Quiet Place") producing. He sold his sci-fi adventure screenplay, "Harry’s All-Night Hamburgers," to Warner Bros in a bidding war, with Oscar-nominated producer Andrew Lazar attached. His short film, "Monsters," which he wrote and directed, has amassed over two million views online and screened in over 100 film festivals worldwide, winning 45 awards. Steve is represented by APA, Entertainment 360, and Ziffren-Brittenham LLP.
The Exec Hour with Andrew Barrer (Writer, Transformers One, Ant Man and the Wasp)
We’re back in the Writers’ Room for the Executive Hour with special guest Screenwriter Andrew Barrer!! Prepare to delve into Andrew's captivating journey and wealth of experience, as he generously imparts invaluable advice, all while eagerly responding to the burning questions YOU bring to the table. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to gain insights and inspiration from a seasoned professional in the industry!
The Executive Hour with Jason and Jamie Neese
We're back in the Writers' Room for the Executive Hour Webcast with Jason & Jamie Neese - the Co-Executive Producers of the #1 Netflix Series, "THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY." Jason and Jamie will be here to talk about world-building, producing for Netflix, their rise in the industry and taking your questions LIVE! You don't want to miss this!
Register / Log In
