In these dangerous times of excessive greed, cruelty, and oppression in too many places around the world, we count on our artists and activists, policy-makers, and regular people to recognize and counter this Love of Death & Destruction. Why does it happen? How can we best address it towards that ideal of “The greatest good for the greatest number”? Some of you may be creating fiction pieces, historical, contemporary, or futuristic, about oppression, killers, war, and destruction. Some...

“You have to let it all go, Neo. Fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind. — Morpheus, The Matrix There is freedom that comes with detachment. It is often misunderstood—seen as indifference or withdrawal—when, in truth, it is one of the most liberating practices a creative person can learn. Detachment gives space for peace, clarity, and new ideas to flow. It is less about stepping away and more about loosening your hold on what you cannot control. Why Detachment Matters Holding on too t...

The team and I just returned from the Austin Film Festival, and I can't underestimate the power of putting yourself out there. After talking with hundreds of writers, filmmakers, and producers over the past few days, it's clear that creatives are increasingly thinking globally. Multiple filmmakers approached us to share how they're shooting internationally, partnering with global production companies, and leveraging local tax incentives to push their projects forward. New production hubs are e...

Producing an independent film is an exercise in patience, collaboration, and controlled chaos. The journey of bringing After All to life was no exception. In this blog, I want to pull back the curtain on what producers actually do for your film, and how the right producing team can make all the difference when navigating the unpredictable world of indie filmmaking. The Early Stage: Building the Foundation In the beginning, when the script is finished and the director’s vision starts to crysta...

Hey Stage 32 Community! Can you believe November is just one week away? That means it’s almost time for one of my favorite annual Stage 32 traditions — The 11th Annual November Write Club! Every November, creatives from all over the world come together on Stage 32 for a month of motivation, accountability, and community. It’s our biggest and most feel-good creative challenge of the year — and whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, actor, producer, or any other kind of storyteller, this is your...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. The team over at Corridor Crew recently dropped an incredible video: ONE YEAR of Work for TEN SECONDS of Film. If you love The Matrix, filmmaking, or just watching artists push the boundaries of what’s possible, this...

In this survival guide, I'll be focusing on a checklist of things to keep in mind when shooting a horror film. It's no surprise that horror films cost less to produce and shoot. A good example is Jordan Peele’s Get Out. James Wan made his career with the SAW franchise. Horror films bring in lots of money at the box office, and audiences flock to the screen to get their fright on! With that in mind, let's dive right into the belly of the beast. Costume & Make-up Design If there is one thing...

As recently announced in Deadline, Mark Wheeler's management company has opened their doors exclusively to our community and we're excited to announce we've partnered with Pathfinder Media- who will develop and package the winning script of our Film & TV Comedy screenwriting contest! Direct Manager Access Mark Wheeler is a global entertainment executive and franchise builder with over 15 years of experience across comics, video games, film, and television. As co-founder of Pathfinder Media, h...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! I am so excited to share that the Stage 32 Community Open House is back this October — and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and completely reimagined with you at the center. If you’ve attended a Stage 32 Open House in the past, you know it’s one of our most energizing community events — a place to meet fellow creatives, learn how to make the most of the platform, and leave feeling inspired to take your next big step. But this month’s event is completely new. This is...

The industry is changing fast. We're not just keeping up—we're leading the way. So are our partners. I'm thrilled to announce we just launched our Film + TV Comedy Screenwriting Contest in partnership with Pathfinder Media and director Todd Biermann (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, High Potential)—featured in Deadline this week! This partnership highlights a shifting trend in the industry: good IP can be found anywhere, and agencies no longer have exclusive control over which projects get...