Anything Goes

When I was a teenager, I sold things at a local flea market every weekend to earn money. One hot summer day, my father stopped by to bring me more items for my table. We were talking casually when both of us noticed a woman standing nearby — she was wearing shorts and a T-shirt, and we both agreed...

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Hi everyone,

I wanted to share something personal that recently inspired my new animated romance project.

A few days ago, I bought a print from the Korean artist Seong Ryul.

The piece is called Water.

It moved me deeply, not just because of the colors, but because it awakened memories I thought I had fo...

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Hi everyone,

I wanted to share something personal that recently inspired my new animated romance project.

A few days ago, I bought a print from the Korean artist Seong Ryul.

The piece is called Water.

It moved me deeply, not just because of the colors, but because it awakened memories I thought I had forgotten.

In the artwork, there’s a man floating calmly in the water.

It reminded me of real moments from my past: quiet days by the river with a friend, the warmth of the sun on the water, that strange feeling of peace where time seems to stop.

I was in the exact same position as the figure in the painting.

From there, something happened.

As I looked through more of Seong Ryul’s works, often showing a boy and a girl, peaceful, suspended between dream and reality, stories began to appear in my mind effortlessly.

Every time I look at any artwork, whether it’s by Seong Ryul or another artist, entire films start forming behind it: scenes, shots, music, dialogue… all emerging naturally.

That’s how my new project was born:

“Our Steps Together, Even Without Wings.”

Just by looking at the print hanging in my room, imagining myself inside the painting, imagining the music, the colors, the framing… and letting my own memories blend with it.

For this project, the musical tone is inspired by Masakatsu Takagi’s “Nene” (from Wolf Children) and by Flawed Mangoes.

The artistic direction draws from Seong Ryul and the quiet emotional world he creates.

So I wanted to ask you all:

Has an artwork ever made a story appear inside you, naturally?

It could be anything —

a painting,

a photograph,

a piece of music,

even the way someone dresses or walks past you.

Seong Ryul once said that when he travels, he imagines a character in front of him and waits for the perfect moment to take a picture.

I do the same, except in my mind, there is always a camera following me.

What about you?

What sparks stories inside you?

Ashley Renee Smith

Head of Community at Stage 32 ♦ Creative Executive, Producer, Author

November 2025 Open House Webcast

Don't Miss November's Community Open House- Free Webcast Event for All Members!

Tuesday, November 25th at 12:00 pm PT!

Every success story begins with a first step.

If you’re ready to take yours, join me, Ashley Smith, Head of Community at Stage 32, for our November Community Open House Webcast happening Tuesday, November 25th at 12:00 pm PT!

Free Registration: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-november-community-open-house-webcast

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Maurice Vaughan

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1 person likes this
- Michael Dzurak
12 hours ago

Sounds interesting, Michael Dzurak. What's this?

Michael Dzurak

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 hours ago

A meme version of one of my previous comments:

And so meme-level proof that Stage32 is a better run organization than Bond-universe supervillains....

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Debbie Croysdale

2
2 people like this
- Bentley Hazelwood
- Maurice Vaughan
13 hours ago

I find directors of brilliant documentaries bond with the subject on an organic visceral level. They don’t merely show/tell/report. Their approach adds verisimilitude, an open mind & ask they question...

Bentley Hazelwood

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
7 hours ago

Debbie, this a great insight. Thank You!

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Sydney S

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1 day ago

I agree Darrell with all of yours!

Ugo, Nat King Cole...yes!

Ugo Cavallo

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
10 hours ago

Darrell Pennington you have all the space below to list your forbidden desires for a music biopic :))

Sydney S hoping to see one in the future !!!

Darrell Pennington

Ugo Cavallo haha, yes that is true. I can be a bit verbose so just not trying to outstay my welcome haha!

Rutger Oosterhoff 2

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2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Maurice Vaughan
2 weeks ago

This happened to me several times, even before the resculpting of Stage32 that came with all kinds of insane halloween horror: people with a number behind their name, profile pictures disappearung, lo...

1
1 person likes this
- Michael Dzurak
2 weeks ago

... Right now, before all problems are solved...

Göran Johansson

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2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Geoff Hall
1 day ago

I emailed technical support again a week ago, but still the problem remains.

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2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Maurice Vaughan
1 day ago

Correction, my profile photo is back, but my logline and uploaded script still missing.

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- Michael Dzurak
1 day ago

Glad your profile picture is back, Göran Johansson. You could reupload your logline and script.

Wyman Brent

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 days ago

Salisu Abdullahi, you are very welcome. You are too kind with your praise. I am just being myself. That is what I always do.

Maurice Vaughan, you are right about story and song themes. Those thoughts are so much part of my life.

Elle Bolan, you are most welcome. I agree with you about perfection. I certainly have my fair share of flaws. They seem to get more flawy over time.

G.R. Barnett, you are very welcome. Never forget that you are special.

Salisu Abdullahi

Wyman Brent,

I appreciate that! That authentic approach definitely comes through in your posts.

Cheers to a productive week!

Best,

Salisu

Koby Nguyen

If you’re curious, here is the link to the project:

https://www.stage32.com/loglines/68802

Koby‘

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1 person likes this
- Koby Nguyen
2 days ago

Hi, Koby Nguyen. Photos, videos, things that happen in life, social media posts, etc. spark stories inside me. I like the idea of getting inspiration from paintings. Thanks for the idea....

4 days ago

Good afternoon, Lorenzo Fleming. Happy Veteran’s Day!

Happy Veteran's Day to all the veterans in the community!

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Jamie Sutliff
4 days ago

Happy Veterans Day, Jamie Sutliff! Thank you for your service!

3
3 people like this
2 days ago

Happy Veterans Day Jamie! Thank you for your service!

2
2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Ugo Cavallo
1 week ago

Congratulations, Ugo Cavallo! I'm not working on designs right now, but I'm making progress on a feature script I'm rewriting for Stage 32’s November Write Club. My main goal for NWC is finish rewriti...

1
1 person likes this
- Ugo Cavallo
5 days ago

I have dabbled in AI to make posters. I've gotten results from awful to pretty good. Will look to beef them up sooner rather than later.

1
1 person likes this
- Michael Dzurak
5 days ago

Michael Dzurak Luckily, with the few productions I've worked with, they're very reluctant to use AI to create posters (LOL). I agree. If the film is your own work and you're also in charge of producti...

Don't Miss November's Community Open House- Free Webcast Event for All Members!

Tuesday, November 25th at 12:00 pm PT!

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