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RB's Stage 32 News, Notes, Discussions and Other Fun Stuff (May 6, 2016)

Female Driven Final
Posted by Richard "RB" Botto

Welcome to the weekend, everyone.

Before we get to all the cool content, another round of applause for all who took part in the April Content Challenge. To hear from so many of you who were impacted in a positive way and have now changed your approach to networking and social media in general was a reward unto itself. I’m especially proud of the many Stage 32 members who previously classified themselves as social media introverts who now feel empowered to participate daily. To read more about where we ended up (over 30,000 pieces of content shared!) and to see a video from yours truly, please click here.

Also, this month is Member Appreciation Month. That means all On Demand Webinars are only $39 all month long. We pride ourselves on having the highest quality and lowest priced education anywhere in the world. And now it will cost less to get the knowledge you, your craft and your career deserve. To see the full list of On Demand Webinars, please click here.

It’s also Member Appreciation Month over at the Stage 32 Happy Writers. For the entire month of May, all Skype or written pitch sessions are $30. We have a remarkable lineup of working managers, agents, producers and development execs lined up to hear your pitches! To see the full slate and to register, please click here.

Also at the Happy Writers, and by popular demand, we introduced a new development notes option. Your First 10 Pages Reviewed by an Exec. You can now submit your first 10 pages to a working exec of your choice to assure that your script hooks the reader and keeps them reading. To learn more about this new service and to pick your exec and register, please click here.

Under ENTERTAINMENT NEWS this week: Indie distributors gear up for a summer match with the studios; only 20% of European films are helmed by women; the film responsible for the naming of this platform, Citizen Kane, turns 75; a documentary filmmaker tells his Harvey Weinstein horror story; the Venice film market gets very progressive in the digital space (great to see); more information and speculation regarding what the DreamWorks Animation deal means for the industry; the DGA announces its 80 best directed films of all time; the WGA rejects longer terms for guild members; a look at 10 titles in competition at Cannes and much, much more!

In the VIDEOS section, a look at all the films Citizen Kane influenced, a David Fincher documentary and the 10 most effective editing techniques of all time.

Under TIPS, I have screenwriting, acting, filmmaking and cinematography 411 plus a look at video essays.

For all the happenings around the site, check out STAGE 32 NEWS, STAGE 32 EDUCATION and STAGE 32 MEETUPS, which includes all our Cannes events!

Also, be sure to check out the STAGE 32 SUCCESS STORIES section. More and more Stage 32’ers are landing jobs through our JOBS section and our Happy Writers success stories continue to climb. Go to be inspired, but also leave a note of support and congratulations!

Due to the incredible results of the Content Challenge, we had a wealth of Lounge discussions to choose from for our POPULAR AND INTERESTING LOUNGE DISCUSSIONS section this month. I think you’ll find the menu balanced. But don’t just be a lurker, jump in and participate!

As always, I welcome remarks and (healthy) debate in the Comments section below!

Have a terrific and creative weekend. Look forward to connecting with you next from Cannes! Until then, cheers!

RB

 STAGE 32 NEWS

The Record Breaking Content Challenge Comes to a Close (But Continues on in Spirit!)

 

Actors! Understand the Difference Between Busy and Effective

 

Stage 32 Opening The Cannes Film Festival Marche du Film - 4 Events Planned

 

SydneysBuzz - Kering and the Festival de Cannes Poster 2016 'Women in Motion'

LatinoBuzz: Emerging Filmmaker Anghelo Taylor

OUTspoken

Announcing Stage 32’s First Annual Comedy Writing Contest Winners!

 

STAGE 32 EDUCATION

Loglines: Sell Your Story In A Single Sentence

But, why do so many creatives struggle with coming up with that one-sentence? How do you get better at honing your logline? Stage 32 is here to help you. We have brought in Emmy-award winning producer Lane Shefter Bishop who has sold 30 PROPERTIES in the last 5 years - all from pitching just a logline.  

Crowdfunding Your Indie Film or Creative Project the Right Way

We've brought back Indiegogo’s Film/Creative Campaign Strategist John T. Trigonis to revamp his Tao (Way) of crowdfunding to encompass the ever-changing landscape of online fundraising for film and creative projects, and this webinar will provide you with the basics of running a successful and memorable campaign, as well as show those who have crowdfunding some advanced tactics to raise even more, all gently infused by the philosophy that makes Trigonis’s advice work wonders –– Taoism. True success in crowdfunding comes not from a short-lived stint with crowdfunding, but commitment to crafting a memorable community experience.

Pro Tips For Producing A Winning Short Film

This intensive 5-week course, 10+ year industry veteran and head of ImageNation Abu Dhabi Arab Short Film Studio, will give students the tools and techniques necessary to produce a world class short film. Each week will be dedicated to a different aspect of the short filmmaking process, including, concept development and writing of your short, budgeting and scheduling, understanding and drafting production agreements, pro-tips on directing actors, and how to get the most out of the post production process. Students are strongly encouraged to come with ideas for a short film, which will be developed over the course of the 4 weeks, so by the conclusion of the class, the should have a screenplay ready for production.

 

 

HAPPY WRITERS PITCH SESSIONS

MAY 7

Benderspink

Vanguard Films

Coquette Productions

MAY 8

The De Laurentiis Company

Circle of Confusion

Infinity Management International

MAY 12

FreshMaker Media

MAY 14

David Harris, Producer

The Gersh Agency

MAY 15

Revolver Picture Co.

Ageless Pictures

Serena Films

 

STAGE 32 SUCCESS STORIES

POPULAR AND INTERESTING LOUNGE DISCUSSIONS

STAGE 32 PLANNED AND PROPOSED MEETUPS

 ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Can Indie Distributors Compete With Superheroes for Summer Audiences?

European Film Industry Study: Only 20% of Films Are Made by Women & They’re Given Much Smaller Budgets

Citizen Kane 75th Anniversary and Orson Welles’ Hell to Get the Film Released

A Filmmaker’s Saga: Harvey Weinstein’s Outrageous Battle To Sabotage My Movie About Him

Venice Film Market Launches Section Dedicated to Original Projects & Works in Progress

Will $3.8M DreamWorks Animation Deal Kickstart More Hollywood Consolidation?

Katzenberg’s Next Act: Digital Media Kingpin?

Hollywood Feeding Frenzy: How DreamWorks Deal Could Impact Paramount, Lionsgate

The DGA’s 80 Best-Directed Films of All Time

WGA West Members Reject Longer Terms for Guild Officers

New Fronts Mystery: How Many Shows Actually Get Made?

Surging Hollywood Shoots Forces Hunt for New Toronto Soundstages

“Show Me the Money,” Asian Producers, Sales Agents Tell Netflix, iTunes

2016 Cannes Film Festival: What You Need to Know About These 10 Competition Titles

 

 VIDEOS

Citizen Kane 75th Anniversary: Watch This Supercut of Some of the Film Scenes it Inspired

Ben Affleck, Robin Wright, & Jessie Eisenberg in New 22-Minute David Fincher Documentary

Top 10 Most Effective Editing Moments of All Time

 

 TIPS

Five Screenwriting Practices You Can Learn From Quentin Tarantino

6 Filmmaking Tips From Stanley Kubrick

Acting: 3 Ways to Find Your Courage

What is a Video Essay? Creators Grapple With a Definition

9 Cinematography Tips for the Aspiring Filmmaker

 

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...

 

The "Chosen" Films For The 11th Annual Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival 2016
SydneysBuzz - Kering and the Festival de Cannes Poster 2016 'Women in Motion'
 
 

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