Posted by Richard "RB" Botto

Just a quick hello and goodbye this week! I’m headed out of town and off the grid for the next week and a half. But, I wouldn't leave you without some terrific content! So have at it, enjoy, and, as always, please share and comment!

Have a wonderful and creative week and I’ll see you on the other side!

RB

STAGE 32 NEWS

Reality Checks from an Inspirational Cripple - Part 1 - My name is Tennyson E. Stead and I'm an award-winning writer and director with over 20 years of experience in stage and screen production and an additional ten years spent working as an indie film development executive. While these credentials do hint at my value to the film community, they are not the main reason I've been asked by the excellent people at Stage 32 to write to you today. Click here to find out what makes my words click-worthy!

The Winning Screenwriters of Our Feature Contest Get Signed, Optioned and Now in Development! Last year, Brittni Brown and Jenna Palermo won our Stage 32 Happy Writers 1st Annual Feature contest with their script NEVERBRIDES. We set them up with meetings all over town including at Warner Bros., Lionsgate and Ineffable Pictures to name a few. Click here to watch the video of them speaking of their experiences!

Understanding The Option Agreement For Your Screenplay - Many writers dream that someday their story or script will garner interest from someone who wants to develop it into a film or TV project. Usually, the first step is when that someone, maybe a producer or a production company or even a studio, offers the writer a contract known as an option agreement. As with all such matters where art meets commerce, I always advise that if you are asked to sign anything – other than an autograph – you should have your lawyer review it first. Click here for what to look for in your agreement.  


STAGE 32 EDUCATION

How to Find & Adapt Comic Book, Video Game, Book & Article IP for Film & TV (August 27) In this exclusive Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, producer & executive Maggie Lane will discuss the main areas of fantasy & sci-fi adaptation: books, articles, comic books & video games. She'll guide you through the importance of adapting IP with your spin to make it your own.

You'll walk away knowing how to find that magical property; the book, graphic novel, article or video game on which to base a film or TV series. And, you'll know how to use it as a jumping off point to showcase your talents as a storyteller. Click here to register now!

Basic Principles of Financing a Film Between $1 - $3 Million (On Demand) Stage 32 is honored to bring in Brad Hibbs Wyman, producer of the highly acclaimed film, Monster starring Charlize Theron in her Oscar-winning role, to teach for Next Level Education on the Basic Principles of Financing a Film Between $1MM-$3MM. Having produced over 40 films at all budget ranges (including Freeway starring Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon and actor Steve Buscemi's directorial debut, Trees Lounge), Brad has learned all aspects of financing and the elements that are needed for a successful raise.

Brad will teach the basic principles of motion picture financing for under 3 million dollar features which include:

Rule #1 - “GET THE MONEY"

Rule #2 - Always remember to “GET THE MONEY”

Rule #3 - Never forget to always remember to “GET THE MONEY"

Needless to say, the way you will learn will be fun and educational. We are excited to have the Stage 32 community learn from Brad who is such a prolific producer. A portion of Brad’s proceeds will be donated to an arts charity. Click here to Register! 


HAPPY WRITERS

2nd Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest (Deadline September 28) We are proud to open up our call for entries for the Second Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest. Last year's inaugural contest produced entries from Stage 32 members in 29 countries and resulted in a curated program of 6 incredible and well received short films (made by filmmakers from 4 countries). The Stage 32 Short Film Program screened theatrically at the 2015 Raindance Film Festival to critical acclaim from Variety and Indiewire. The program also screened to the Stage 32 community and was exposed to over 500 working industry executives who had the opportunity to connect with any of the winning filmmakers. Click here to register and get more information!

Pitch Sessions

Joe Wiggins - Creative Executive, Intrigue Saturday, August 27th

Specializes in thriller, drama and comedy

Morgan Long - TV Literary Coordinator, The Gersh Agency Saturday, August 27th

Specializes in all genres of TV pilots.

Jesse Karlan - Assistant to Literary Agent, Abrams Artists Agency Sunday, August 28th

Specializes in all genres, all formats.  


STAGE 32 MEETUPS


 STAGE 32 SUCCESS STORIES


 POPULAR AND INTERESTING LOUNGE DISCUSSIONS


ENTERTAINMENT AND INDUSTRY NEWS

“Shorter is Better”: Sundance Programmer Mike Plante Offers Advice on Short Film Strategy at the Sundance NEXT Festival

Prominent TV Casting Director: "Workshops Are Dying" After Pay-to-Play Investigation

Film Tax Incentives Are a Giant Waste of Money, New Study Finds

Don't call it a reboot: how 'remake' became a dirty word in Hollywood

Women Film Composers Fight for an Even Score

Howard Shore, Composer for Cronenberg and Scorsese on Creating Diverse Scores

Dramas Wanted: TV Networks & Studios Grapple With Slow Start To Pitch Season

Lies, Damned Lies and (Hollywood) Statistics

Werner Herzog Has Some Thoughts on Internet Trolling and Virtual Reality

WGA Reaches Deal For New Contract With Public TV

SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris On Ken Howard’s Death, Healthcare & Diversity

The BBC’s 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century

BAFTA Tweaks Film Awards Rules To Consider Digital Releases & Expands Animation Category

BAFTA to Launch Virtual Reality Advisory Group

Maryland Incentives, State’s Proximity to Washington D.C. Draw ‘House of Cards,’ ‘Veep’

Forget 3D at the movies, this is the next big thing

WME Acquires Literary Agency RWSG

Wanda’s Wang Jianlin In Pair Of $1B+ Hollywood Deals; Next He’s Interested In “All Big Six Studios”


 

 VIDEOS

George Lucas’ ‘Freiheit’: Watch the ‘Star Wars’ Creator’s Student Film from 1966

Abbas Kiarostami’s Final Film: Nine Minutes That Explain His Brilliance

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ Making-Of Documentary: How the ‘Replacement Players’ Made an Enduring Classic 


 TIPS

4 Tips to Help You Escape Your Comfort Zone and Take More Risks

Acting: How to Find the Right Headshot Photographer

6 Actions Successful Screenwriters Stay Away From

Cinematography: How to Light Table Scenes

15 Tips for Producers From the Cannes Film Festival 


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

Film Funding: The Independent Producer And the PPM/LLC
Understanding The Option Agreement For Your Screenplay
 
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