1. Home
  2. The Stage 32 Blog

RB's Stage 32 News, Notes, Discussions and Other Fun Stuff (June 26, 2015)

Period Piece Early Bird
Posted by Richard "RB" Botto

Welcome to the weekend, everyone.

Steven Spielberg’s Jaws was released 40 years ago this week causing an entire generation to be fearful of the ocean and an entire industry to be fearful of a platform release. OK, maybe the latter part of that sentence is a slight exaggeration, but there’s no questioning Jaws’ impact on the Hollywood summer blockbuster strategy in place for the last 3+ decades. In this edition of the Weekend Blog, I have two great articles speaking to the lasting impact of Jaws as well as Steven Spielberg’s continuing reign at the box office (even when he’s not directing). I also have two great videos of Spielberg anxiously watching the 1976 Oscar nomination broadcast to see if Jaws would be nominated for Best Picture and another terrific 33 minute video breaking down a few of Jaws iconic scenes shot-by-shot. I welcome your thoughts below in Comments.

Also this week, under ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, brilliant composer of such films as Glory, Braveheart and Titanic, James Horner, dies in a plane crash; Steven Soderbergh urges filmmakers to embrace digital; Variety wonders if Hollywood is making too many movies; A-List television writers discuss the craft and the business; the Academy tweaks some Oscar rules; William Hurt tells his side of the Midnight Rider tragedy; SAG comes under fire for holding back a disabled stuntwoman’s pension; tax incentive news out of Oregon and Louisiana; the original director of Seinfeld reminisces on his experiences with the show; 30 films leaving Netflix this July; Stephen King’s Misery is coming to Broadway and much, much more.

Under TIPS this week, I have acting, screenwriting, filmmaking, sound design and cinematography information.

As you may have noticed, things look a little different around these parts. We’ve launched the first phase of Stage 32 3.0 and you can read all about it, along with other happenings around the neighborhood, under STAGE 32 NEWS.

On the Next Level Education front, Shannon, our Director of Education, has been lining up some remarkable instructors to teach our exclusive webinars, classes and labs. You can see what’s on the schedule thus far under STAGE 32 EDUCATION.

Down below under STAGE 32 MEETUPS, you’ll find all the meetups happening around the globe. Don’t forget, if there isn’t one in your area, you can start one yourself. Just click on Meetups on the top menu bar and you’ll be on your way.

Finally, an awesome week of members sharing content, starting great threads or just posting interesting questions over on the Stage 32 Lounge. We’ve pulled the best of the best from the last week or so. You can find all of the topics under POPULAR AND INTERESTING STAGE 32 LOUNGE DISCUSSIONS.

As always, I welcome all thoughts, remarks and healthy debate in the Comments section below.

Hope you all have a terrific and creative weekend!

Cheers!

RB

 STAGE 32 NEWS

Stage 32 3.0 is here! This week, we launched a cleaner, sleeker, more manageable posting interface for Stage 32, along with easier navigation so you can find and utilize all the resources and features the site has to offer. The response to the new design has been overwhelmingly positive, and we thank everyone who has given feedback on the changes. To read more about everything that has changed and get clarification on some new features, click here: Stage 32 3.0

It's time for the June edition of On Stage With RB! Every month we do a FREE online broadcast with our Founder & CEO, RB where he talks about the latest and greatest site features, has on special industry guests and and spends at least 90 minutes answering questions about the industry, your chosen discipline and just about anything else that's on your mind! The first 2,000 members who register will have FREE access to the live webinar. If you cannot make it, don't worry, you'll still be able to see the webinar for free On Demand! To read more about the June Edition of On Stage With RB and to register to participate live for free, click here: June Edition of On Stage With RB

Saturday, June 27 Stage 32 will be (virtually) in Portugal for the the FEST Festival! We are proudly presenting an expert panel on The Importance of Using Social Media as a Filmmaker and Crowdsourcing with our Founder & CEO, Richard Botto, Producer & Director Marty Lang and Producer Timon Birkhofer. If you are in Portugal and want to attend the festival, FEST is offering a discount on tickets for Stage 32 members, just click here!

This week we released another clip in the 3-hour installment of our Founder & CEO RB's Film Courage interview. In this 4-minute clip, Identifying A Narcissist on Social Media is Easy, RB talks about the characteristics of a filmmaking, acting, producing, screenwriting narcissist and the mistakes they make by using this tactic. He talks about why the "hey look at me" approach won't work and why the give and take is important for your social presence as a creative. To view this clip, as well as the other clips from the interview, click here: Identifying A Narcissist On Social Media Is Easy

This weekend the Stage 32 Happy Writers is hosting Online Pitchfest XXXVIII: New York Companies and Executives from July 27-28. We are excited to introduce our writers to companies and executives we never had before and the executives are excited to hear and read your pitches! On tap we have APA, producer Adam Neuhaus, Young Gunner Films, Keep Your Head Productions, Andrew Laurent Productions, eOne, Maximum Films and Management and producer Charlie Kessler. To read more about this upcoming Online Pitchfest and to register to participate, click here: Online Pitchfest XXXVIII: New York Companies and Executives

 

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Saturday 7/11 at 11am PDT Stage 32 Next Level Webinars presents Writing Strong Female Characters hosted by Jake Detharidge, Head of Development at 3311 Productions (Soulmates, Sympathy for The Devil, Mr. Right, Big Sur, In A World…)! In this webinar, Jake will walk you through how the current gatekeepers and power players view female characters and content, how and why that point of view is in place, and what you can do to execute or transcend the status quo. With his more than six years of senior level development experience inside the Hollywood film & TV industry, Jake will take you through the current pitfalls, triumphs, and - most importantly - philosophical ideologies at play in today’s marketplace.
You will leave this webinar knowing:

  • The current industry landscape for female driven content.
  • How to analyze, create and execute genuine female characters.
  • An in-depth case study of a successful film Jake worked on with a strong female character - what worked and why.
  • The tricks and loopholes to take advantage of when writing.
  • Writing and creative mistakes most people consciously – and more importantly, subconsciously – make when tackling female characters.

To read more about this webinar, see testimonials about the instructor and to register, click here: Writing Strong Female Characters

Thursday 7/16 at 1pm PDT Stage 32 Next Level Webinars presents How To Use Crowfundfunding To Turn Your Film Project Into A Reality hosted by Steve Desmond, a filmmaker and screenwriter who completed a successful crowdfunding campaign and nearly doubled his initial raise! In this webinar, Steve will draw from his own experience and teach you how to craft a compelling pitch, build an online audience, and maximize your project’s potential. He’ll also go over the pros and cons of Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and other major crowdfunding sites, so that you can pick the one that’s best for you.
You will leave this webinar knowing:

  • Kickstarter or Indiegogo: Which should you choose?
  • How to set your target budget.
  • How to craft your pitch video for your campaign.
  • How to capitalize on Stage 32, Facebook and Twitter to expand your project’s scope.
  • How to have a successful launch.
  • What to do during your campaign - why your effort determines your results.
  • The crucial last 48 hours that will determine whether your project makes it or breaks it.

To read more about this webinar, see a video from Steve and read his testimonials and to register, click here: How To Use Crowfundfunding To Turn Your Film Project Into A Reality

Saturday 7/18 at 11am PDT Stage 32 Next Level Webinars presents 7 Insider Tips To Becoming A Working Film & TV Composer: How To Network and Get Work hosted by Timothy Andrew Edwards, Composer, Musician and Music Supervisor with over 75 credits in Feature Film and Network Television, including two Emmy award winning shows! In this webinar, Timothy will break down the steps in the general composing and networking processes and reveal his insider tips on how to build a professional career as a film or TV composer. You will learn how to get in the door enough to build steady work and what you should be doing to build your career.
You will leave this webinar knowing:

  • The "not so hidden" secret resource that can get you working as a composer regardless of where you reside.
  • How to properly build your reel and credits to "make work from work".
  • The most common mistakes composers make and how to avoid them.
  • How to connect authentically and effectively when networking.
  • How to use limitations to build your sound and stand out from the crowd in independent film.

To read more about this webinar and to register, click here: 7 Insider Tips To Becoming A Working Film & TV Composer: How To Network and Get Work

Thursday 7/23 at 1pm PDT Stage 32 Next Level Webinars presents 10 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Casting Director Workshops hosted by Jessica Sitomer, acclaimed International Entertainment Industry Speaker, Career Coach, and Actress, as well as Producer of three TV shows, author, produced writer and development associate! As episodic season is about to start, so are Casting Director workshops. In this webinar, Jessica will reveal how much more value you can get from Casting Director workshops than you’re currently getting.Instead of performing, leaving and sending a thank you note, usually never hearing from the CD again, learn how to stand out in the room and make a lasting impression!
You will leave this webinar knowing:

  • Unique questions to ask during the Q&A portion of the workshops.
  • How to brand yourself for the specific CD in the room.
  • How to know when you’re annoying a CD.
  • Jessica’s proven campaign follow up strategy.
  • Jessica's personal “Casting Director Attractor” relationship building strategy.

To read more about this webinar, see testimonials about this instructor and to register, click here: 10 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Casting Director Workshops

 

 STAGE 32 SUCCESS STORIES

 

 POPULAR AND INTERESTING LOUNGE DISCUSSIONS

 

STAGE 32 PLANNED AND PROPOSED MEETUPS

 

 ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

 

 VIDEOS

 

 

 TIPS

Like this blog post? Please share it on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email etc) by using social media buttons at the top of the blog. Or post to your personal blog and anywhere else you feel appropriate. Thank you.

As always, we welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the Comments section below...

Guests Announced for On Stage With RB Webinar
On Stage With RB (June 2015) Announced!
 
 

Search Stage 32 Blog

Relevant Tags

register for stage 32 Register / Log In
Register for FREE Stage 32 Membership
Members sign in here