Stage 32 Founder & CEO Richard "RB" Botto Spotlighted on Film Florida Podcast!

Happy Thursday, Creative Army!

I was recently featured on the Film Florida Podcast with John Lux, Executive Director of Film Florida, for a conversation that goes deep into Stage 32’s origin story, what we are building next, and why our relationship with Film Florida is such a meaningful step forward for creatives.

If you are building your career right now, especially if you are looking for community, education that actually moves the needle, and a clearer path into real industry opportunity, you will get a lot out of this episode.

Listen to the Episode

The Film Florida Podcast featuring yours truly is available now, and you can find it through Film Florida’s official channels and podcast platforms by clicking here! Or by clicking on the video below.

What We Cover In The Episode

Without giving away the whole thing, here are a few highlights you will hear us dig into:

• How Stage 32 started and the gap we saw in the industry
• Why education and business knowledge are non-negotiable if you want longevity
• Why the industry is becoming more global, and why that is an advantage for you if you know how to navigate it
• Why workforce development and certification are becoming critical as production expands into more regions
• What it really takes to be a multi-hyphenate without becoming scattered
• Why community is not a nice-to-have, it is a career strategy

And while you are there, I am going to echo something John shared at the top of the episode: Film Florida is a nonprofit organization working to support and strengthen Florida’s screen production industry.

If you are Florida-based, or you want to see more sustainable production ecosystems thrive outside the usual hubs, they are worth your attention and support.

Who Is Film Florida?

Film Florida is the chief marketing, professional development, and networking organization for Florida’s screen production industry. They exist to unite, inspire, and innovate to build a more robust and retentive industry in Florida.

They are a nonprofit run by volunteer members representing every corner of the industry: film commissions, labor organizations, educators, crew, technologists, game and app developers, equipment providers, and the behind-the-scenes professionals who keep production moving.

Their values are exactly the kind of values we align with: leadership, collaboration, diversity, courage, and informed action. Their mission is focused on building a sustainable, professional production ecosystem that creates positive economic impact and helps elevate standards of excellence across the state.

Why This Conversation Was Personal For Me

John asked me to go all the way back, how I got here, what pulled me into this business, and what made me launch Stage 32 in the first place.

The real answer is simple: this industry is tribal. It runs on relationships, champions, trust, and access. For too long, that access was controlled by gatekeepers and geography.

When I started Stage 32, the original mission was to create a place where your location did not determine your opportunity. A place where you could learn the business, not just the craft. A place where your next collaborator, mentor, producer, rep, or creative partner could be one conversation away.

That is still the mission.

And in the podcast, we get into how that idea evolved from a network into a full ecosystem: education, training, certification, and partnerships that help real people build real careers.

You can continue this mission by clicking here and inviting 5 people you know to come check out what makes Stage 32 so special.

The Film Florida and Stage 32 Relationship

One of the things I am most proud of is the relationship we have worked hard to grow with Film Florida. This is not a surface-level collaboration. This is the kind of partnership built on shared goals: workforce development, professional standards, and creating more pathways for creatives to build sustainable careers.

We are aligned on the belief that local production communities thrive when the infrastructure is strong, the talent pool is supported, and people have access to professional development that is practical, current, and industry-facing.

That is exactly where Stage 32 Certification comes in.

A couple of months ago, we announced our Certification Partnership with Film Florida, and it received some fantastic press coverage.

If you missed that announcement, you can catch up by clicking right here!

One Big Takeaway I Hope You Hear

If you want to build a career in this industry, you cannot do it in isolation.

You need relationships. You need information. You need craft. You need business knowledge. You need people who tell you the truth, support you when it gets hard, and celebrate the wins with you when it goes right.

That is what Stage 32 is built for.

And that is why partnerships like the one we have with Film Florida matter. Because when organizations align around elevating talent and strengthening infrastructure, opportunity expands.

After you listen, I would love to hear from you in the comments:

What is the one career move you are focused on right now: building your network, improving your craft, learning the business, finding collaborators, or getting your project made?

As always, thank you for being here, and thank you for continuing to build this incredible community with us.

Cheers,

RB

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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