RB's Stage 32 News, Notes, Discussions and Other Fun Stuff (August 28, 2015)

 STAGE 32 NEWS

This week we announced the finalists for the Stage 32 Short Film Contest! It is with great pride that Stage 32 has partnered with Raindance to bring a short film program to its already impressive lineup. Stage 32 members from 29 different countries submitted short films, proving once again the creativity is universal! These films will now be judged by industry executives who have all been involved in either signing filmmakers off a short or shepherding a short film into a feature! To see the finalists, click here: Stage 32 Short Film Contest Finalists Announced

For the past 2 years Stage 32 Founder & CEO, RB, was a mentor at SXSW and helped dozens of individuals one-on-one with advice about their careers and the industry. This year we want to expand the reach of Stage 32 to creatives who attend the conference and we need your help. If you haven't done so already, can you please pay it forward and vote "thumbs up" for our proposed panel at SXSW? Vote for our panel here: Build Heat for Your Film Through Crowdsourcing

If you missed the August 2015 Edition of On Stage With RB this week, don't worry! It will be available to watch free on-demand soon. While you're waiting, check out the two special guests RB had on here. You can also watch ANY of the previous On Stage With RB's we've ever hosted for free by clicking here: On Stage With RB

This week we brought you behind the scenes at the Stage 32 office as we streamed live on Periscope for the very first time! Join us in this new capacity as we stream what happens live in the Stage 32 office before, during and after our popular monthly broadcast! No matter where you're at anywhere in the world, you can tune in see the behind-the-scenes! Follow us on Pariscope - @Stage32

STAGE 32 NEXT LEVEL EDUCATION - UPCOMING WEBINARS AND CLASSES

Starting Monday 8/31, Stage 32 Next Level Classes presents a Short Film Master Class: Writing, Directing & Marketing Your Short Film hosted by multi-award winning director James Kicklighter, whose films have been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, The Times of India, Film Courage and FilmInk Australia! This 2-part class will teach you how to craft your short film from script to screen. It will feature interactive lectures, case studies from James' successful short films and insider tips for distributing and marketing your final product - a step that most aspiring filmmakers never learn!
You will leave this class knowing:

• How to write an effective short script.
• The business of making a short film.
• How to prepare to direct and the production process.
• How to market your film.
• How to release your film.
• Plus much, much more!

To read more about this interactive online class, see a video from James and to register, click here: Short Film Master Class: Writing, Directing & Marketing Your Short Film

Starting Tuesday September 1st, Stage 32 Next Level Classes is taking you on set! As part of our class The Thought, Theory and Practice Of Being A First AD, you will shadow the instructor Joe Bohn, who has over 30 credits and has worked with David Fincher, the Russo Brothers and more, for 3 weeks on the set of his current feature film! You will participate as a production assistant and learn first hand the rules, regulations and what is expected of you on set. In addition to working on set, you will receive 6 hours of education directed at making you a stronger, more competent First AD. This class is open to all levels and ages, and the schedule is flexible to accommodate your needs - you have the option but are not obliged to be on set for 3 weeks straight.
You will leave this class knowing:

• The responsibilities of the 1st AD, rules and regulations, and what will be expected from you.
• Tools at your disposal to enhance your work and elevate your skills to the next level.
• How to manage, the egos, the mishaps, the breakdowns and the real world limitations that they don’t write about in the textbooks.
• How to behave and interact on a professional set.
• Plus, you will receive a free resume review and walk away with a free account to the fastest growing cloud based scheduling software available!

To read more about this interactive online and live class, see a video from Joe and to register, click here: The Thought, Theory & Practice Of Being A 1st AD - A 1st AD Master Class

Starting September 3rd, Stage 32 Next Level Classes presents a 3-week onlien class How To Create Redeeming Qualities In Your Unlikable Characters: Creating Sympathy For Your Anti-Hero, Antagonist Or Villain hosted by Zara Burdett, an independent producer who has worked on films such as Black Swan, Noah, The Whistleblower, and Requiem For A Dream! In this course, you will take an in-depth look at building a complex character, using specific examples of unlikable characters in film and why audiences can relate to them despite their bad choices. You will develop a backstory and character traits to help you chisel out redeeming qualities and create character your audience can relate to. You will leave this class with a full character outline (complete with backstory and arcs!) that you can refer to while writing your script!
You will leave this class knowing:

• How to access the mind of a complex character.
• How to create obstacles, goals and desires for your unlikable character.
• How to help your unlikable character fulfill their goal.
• 4 case studies of unlikable, yet compelling, characters in film and why the audience was on their side. 

To read more about this interactive online class, see a video from Zara and to register, click here: How To Create Redeeming Qualities In Your Unlikable Characters: Creating Sympathy For Your Anti-Hero, Antagonist Or Villain 

Starting September 9th, Stage 32 Next Level Classes presents a 3-week online class Avoid Stock Characters: How To Create Memorable, Compelling Characters hosted by Melissa Daykin Cassill, VP of Development and Production at State Street Pictures (Faster, Beauty Shop, Barbershop, Notorious, Nothing Like The Holidays)! In this class, you will learn how to create the memorable characters your story deserves. From how to set up a character arc so the character’s change is compelling, to how to develop supporting characters who support the story and compliment your protagonists, you will learn how to avoid stock characters and scenes and how to adjust what you already have to make your work better.
You will leave this class knowing:

• How to create your characters before you start writing.
• Techniques on how to define your protagonist as well as the characters around him or her.
• What should actually be on the page when presenting characters.
• How to create wording that takes up very little space but fully explains the character’s bio.
• Building character through contrast in your supporting cast vis a vis your protagonist.
• How to adjust your concept, plot and story to connect the characters.

To read more about this interactive online class, see a video from Melissa and to register, click here: Avoid Stock Characters: How To Create Memorable, Compelling Characters

Thursday September 10th Stage 32 Next Level Webinars presents How To Navigate Your Film Through The Ratings System: What Indie Filmmakers Need To Know hosted by Barry Freeman, former 10-year MPAA board member who has rated over 8,000 films! In this webinar Barry explain how the ratings system affects you as a screenwriter, producer or director. He will use a recent project to provide an actual application of the process. He will provide critical information for you to successfully receive your desired ratings goals with minimal cost, time, aggravation and loss of your artistic integrity.
You will leave this webinar knowing:

• The 5 film ratings and their financial implications
• What to be aware of (depending on your title)
• Film submission to the MPAA
• Options along the ratings process
• A recent example of film submission, editing and acceptance
• Pitfalls for filmmakers – time, expense, content loss and aggravation
• Perfect scenario – how the system can best serve you
• A few words on International film ratings
• Live in-depth Q&A with Barry. He has 10 years of experience rating films – bring your questions!

To read more about this interactive webinar, see a video from Barry and to register, click here: How To Navigate Your Film Through The Ratings System: What Indie Filmmakers Need To Know

Tuesday September 15th, Stage 32 Next Level Webinars presents Making The Audition Yours: How To Bring Out The Best Of YOU In Your Next Audition hosted by Wesam Keesh, Professional Actor best known for his role as “Kyle” on MTV’s hit show Awkward as well as roles on NCIS, The Mentalist, NCIS:LA, Touch and host and creator of the popular Actors Anonymous Podcast!  In this webinar, Wesam will break down the audition process into 3 phases: Pre-Audition, Audition and Post-Audition. You will go through the mindset of the actor as they get the breakdown, read the script and scenes, driving to the audition and waiting in the room to go in so you can learn how to focus during your audition and let yourself shine through. 
You will leave this webinar knowing:

• Detailed advice accumulated from personal experience and those of many working actors, agents, directors, producers and other industry professionals to help you learn how to find what will work best for you.
• How to read the script and character breakdown with confidence.
• How not to get intimidated by other people in the room.
• How to be present in the moment when you are performing.
• How to take any problems you face and turn them into a strength.
• How to handle redirection from the Casting Director.
• How to navigate the “post-mortem” dissection every actor does on themselves after an audition.
• Live in-depth Q&A with Wesam - Bring your questions!

To read more about this interactive webinar, see a video from Wesam and to register, click here: Making The Audition Yours: How To Bring Out The Best Of YOU In Your Next Audition

 STAGE 32 SUCCESS STORIES

• Short film starts shooting tonight!!!
• Behind the scene - Taxii, short film project .
• Sound Editor hired through Stage 32 Jobs
• Crew hired through Stage 32 Jobs
• Director of Photography hired through Stage 32 Jobs
• Actor hired through Stage 32 Jobs
• Music Composer hired through Stage 32 Jobs
• Actor hired through Stage 32 Jobs
• It's a marathon not a race!
• Two pitches two requests - this one from gersh!
• Congratulations Heather Ostrove! And a lesson!
• Requested by CBS
• Being thankful in times of need.
• Thanks Joey & team
• The happy writers ~ made me happy
• Got requested thru Pitch Fest

POPULAR AND INTERESTING LOUNGE DISCUSSIONS

• ACTING: My age is an obstacle
• ACTING: getting an agent in London
• ACTING: Table Reads - Screenwriter seeks Advice and Protocol
• ACTING: Eyeline Podcast - interview with Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy)
• ACTING: Headshots: I found a photographer and a great make-up artist, now what?
• ACTING: Play the Right Game
• ACTING: Help!!
• ACTING: Approaching An Actor
• ACTING: A short cut to acting
• ACTING: Getting an Agent
• ACTING: Do most Actors and Actresses start by being Models? How common is this?
• ANIMATION: Beginner
• ANIMATION: Diff between "normal" and animation scripts?
• ANIMATION: If filmmaking is expensive what about cg animation?
• ANIMATION: Mentorships for those in LA
• AUTHORING & PLAYWRITING: Interview with author John J Asher - The Dogs of Mexico
• AUTHORING & PLAYWRITING: Advice for nonfiction authors querying publishing agents
• AUTHORING & PLAYWRITING: Getting your plays published
• AUTHORING & PLAYWRITING: Call for a Playwright...
• AUTHORING & PLAYWRITING: Introducing Characters
• CINEMATOGRAPHY: Starting camera canon 5d mark II a good choice ?
• CINEMATOGRAPHY: Cinematography with the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 2.5k
• CINEMATOGRAPHY: Lenses
• CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Creative Eye
• CINEMATOGRAPHY: Dslr!
• CINEMATOGRAPHY: Will smartphone replace a convensional camera?
• CINEMATOGRAPHY: Drones
• CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gear! lets talk about gear!
• COMPOSING: Plugin Friday - The Foundry
• COMPOSING: Trent Reznor, Hans Zimmer & Danny Elfman Talk Music : The Full Composer Roundtable
• COMPOSING: Jurassic World Composer on John Williams - Making the New Music His Own
• COMPOSING: Contract Feedback
• COMPOSING: What do you think abou the AFM in the U.S. and Canada pursuing aggressive legal action?
• COMPOSING: Converting Old Tapes to Digital/Electronic Files
• DEVELOPMENT: Immersive Film Content
• DEVELOPMENT: Film Scouting & Locations
• DEVELOPMENT: Short film
• DEVELOPMENT: Starting up a film production company
• DISTRIBUTION: Want to distribute your own movie ... on your own?
• DISTRIBUTION: Putting up Internet content - is location important at first?
• DISTRIBUTION: Public Screening Fees
• DISTRIBUTION: Releasing Actors Reel Before Premiering or Getting Distribution
• DISTRIBUTION: Mass DVD distribution
• DISTRIBUTION: 2011 and beyond
• FILMMAKING / DIRECTING: Curious about the BEST ways to build audience with Twitter?
• FILMMAKING / DIRECTING: Common Mistakes DSLR Video Shooters Make
• FILMMAKING / DIRECTING: Realities of the Modern Day Filmmaker
• FILMMAKING / DIRECTING: 6 Types of Scenes That Should be Storyboarded (And 1 That Should Not)
• FILMMAKING / DIRECTING: Steven Soderbergh 40 minutes on low-budget filmmaking http://FilmBudget.com
• FILMMAKING / DIRECTING: A Low Budget Crew
• FILMMAKING / DIRECTING: Everyone is here! So...
• FINANCING / CROWDFUNDING: Reels
• FINANCING / CROWDFUNDING: Film/TV Financing through Capital/Equity...What is Pro Forma?
• FINANCING / CROWDFUNDING: Crowdfunding for a 30min film, where to start?
• FINANCING / CROWDFUNDING: Periscope and Blab. Useful for funding?
• FINANCING / CROWDFUNDING: Percentages for investors
• ON SET CREW: On-call P. A.
• ON SET CREW: "Crane Operator" now a selectable occupation.
• ON SET CREW: STAG union discussion
• POST-PRODUCTION: Is FCP really?
• POST-PRODUCTION: Need some info
• POST-PRODUCTION: FX program
• POST-PRODUCTION: How do I Get Rid of Loud Refrigeration Noise In Film?
• POST-PRODUCTION: Working with an editor.
• PRODUCING: Best way to find a producer for an indie short
• PRODUCING: Looking to connect with other producers who have produced web series
• PRODUCING: Keeping TV Show Sizzle Private or Public
• PRODUCING: Becoming a Producer
• PRODUCING: Build your own dolly, any advice?
• PRODUCING: Casting
• SCREENWRITING: Three Official Selections at Sunscreen Film Festival
• SCREENWRITING: Everyone passes for a different reason! What should I do?
• SCREENWRITING: A really good and inspirational article to wake us storytellers up
• SCREENWRITING: legal question before I even start
• SCREENWRITING: Your Identifier
• SCREENWRITING: How to Interpret a Pass - Perspective from a Hollywood Pro
• SCREENWRITING: Script consultant or script doctors
• SCREENWRITING: Use of song titles in script. Good or bad?
• SCREENWRITING: Beginner writer in need of some advice.
• SCREENWRITING: Re-Write Practices
• SCREENWRITING: Who is your favourite screenwriter?
• SCREENWRITING: Nicholl Fellowship - reader comments in poor taste
• SCREENWRITING: Celtx vs. Final Draft
• TRANSMEDIA: Mastermind Group Members for Transmedia sought
• TRANSMEDIA: Google's technology team focuses on smart phone
• TRANSMEDIA: Transmedia begins with the community. Without it, you're just preaching to air.
• TRANSMEDIA: Rob Pratten's new 2nd edition, "Getting Started in Transmedia Storytelling" is on Amazon

STAGE 32 PLANNED AND PROPOSED MEETUPS

• Ahwatukee, Arizona
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Boulder, Colorado
• Chicago, Illinois
• Clayton, North Carolina
• Gladstone, Oregon
• Glassboro, New Jersey
• Knoxville, Tennessee
• Los Angeles, California
• Los Angeles, California
• Los Angeles, California
• Marina del Rey, California
• North Charleston, South Carolina
• Ocoee, Florida
• Port Saint Lucie, Florida
• San Francisco, California
• San Jose, California
• Tampa, Florida
• Breda, Netherlands
• Hannover, Germany
• Napier, New Zealand
• Oxford, United Kingdom
• Vancouver, Canada

 ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

• Colin Trevorrow Comments Spark Discussion on Women in Hollywood
• A Year With Women: 103 Films by Female Directors
• Hollywood Sexism Exposed in Top Paid Actresses vs. Top Paid Actors Lists
• TV Directing Study Shows Little Improvement in Job Diversity
• Studios Gamble on Untested Directors for Big Movies With Mixed Results
• Max Landis Wonders if the Flop of American Ultra Means That Original Movies are Dead
• Carl McCrow Persuaded Martin Scorsese Movie to Destroy Guns
• In Conversation: Quentin Tarantino
• AMAI Film Preservation Conference: Speakers Warn That Indie Films are in “Danger”
• 14 Relativity Media Buyers Examine Financial Data
• SAG-AFTRA Election: Ken Howard Wins Again
• SAG-AFTRA Election: LA Local Wins Apathy Award for Lowest Voter Turnout in U.S.
• UK Film Tax Credit Increase Approved, Will Backdate to April
• Incentives Scorecard: Ukraine, Georgia Set to Offer Production Rebates
• Theatrical Windows Shorten as Audiences Demand Content ASAP
• Summer of the Binge: TV Streaming Displacing Beach Reading, Tanning
• This Classic Redford and Newman Film is Headed to Broadway
• From The Wrap - 9 Fall Broadway Shows We’re Dying to See: Bruce Willis in Misery to Jennifer Hudson in The Color Purple

 VIDEOS

• Can Indie Filmmakers Afford to Shoot on Film?
• True Detective Season 2 is Brilliant and Here’s Why
• 60-Minute Film School: Sam Mendes and Conrad L. Hall Analyze the American Beauty Storyboard

 TIPS

• Oscar Winner William Monahan on How to Write Unforgettable Dialogue
• Cinematography: Capture Smooth Panning Shots at 24fps
• Filmmaking: 5 Easy Tips to Achieve Day for Night
• The Psychology of Film Editing – Creative Post Production Techniques
• Acting: 5 Excuses That are Delaying Your Career

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