Stage 32's April 2025 Education: Learn from Hollywood Insiders & Level Up Your Creative Career!

Happy Tuesday, Stage 32 Community!

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the path to success in this industry is rarely linear, but with the right education and guidance, your momentum becomes unstoppable.

Every day, I get to connect with so many of you: writers, directors, producers, actors, and crew who are putting in the work to build meaningful careers. And it’s my absolute joy to help you find the tools, resources, and industry mentors that can move your projects forward and give you a clearer path to your goals.

Stage 32 is proud to be the worldwide leader in entertainment industry education, offering over 3,000 hours of on-demand training and adding new live webinars, interactive classes, and immersive labs every month. We’re honored to be the official education partner of premier organizations and studios around the globe, including Netflix, Canon, Cannes Marche du Film, the American Film Market, and so many more. That means every program we offer is built to meet the real-world needs of the industry today.

This month’s education lineup is filled with actionable training and insight from top-tier executives and creatives who are working right now at the highest levels of the industry. These are the same people sitting across the table in pitch meetings, selecting projects for financing, and hiring talent for the next big feature film or hit series, and they’re on Stage 32 to teach and mentor you. Let’s take a closer look at what’s coming up in April…

New Stage 32 Education!

Don’t wait for all of the spots to fill up! Below is an exciting list of upcoming Stage 32 Education that is already available for you to register for!

Webinar: How to Monetize and Get Distribution for Your Short Film

Starting: April 6th

Instructor: Kate Rees Davies

You poured your heart into your short film. Now, it’s time to make sure it reaches the audience it deserves and earns you the recognition, revenue, and career momentum you’ve been working toward.

This Stage 32 webinar is for any filmmaker who has completed (or is planning) a short film and wants to know exactly what to do next. It’s one thing to have a finished piece of work, it’s another to get it out into the world, gain exposure, and turn it into a strategic career launchpad.

In this exclusive training, you’ll learn from Kate Rees Davies, an Oscar-qualifying producer and award-winning director whose short films and features have played around the world. Kate’s experience spans high-level narrative work, music videos, and commercials. She knows what works, what doesn’t, and how to make every decision count when it comes to festivals, streaming platforms, brand partnerships, and revenue.

By attending this live webinar, you’ll walk away with:

• A step-by-step strategy to monetize your short film through multiple channels
• Insight on festival strategy—including which festivals offer real financial rewards
• Tools for approaching product placements, sponsorships, and brand partnerships
• A better understanding of self-distribution vs. traditional models
• Tips on how to use your short to fund and launch your next big project

So if you’ve ever asked yourself, “What now?” after finishing a short, or if you’re still in production and want to make the smartest distribution plan possible, this is your next move.

4-Part Producing Class: Introduction to Development Pre-Production & Production

Starting: April 2nd

Instructor: Eben Davidson

Have you ever wondered how to take your ideas from the page to the screen but felt overwhelmed by everything that goes into making a film actually happen? You’re not alone. Producing can feel like a mysterious, complicated world, but with the right mentor, it’s a process you can master.

Led by industry veteran Eben Davidson, this interactive class will walk you through the core phases of producing- development, pre-production, and production- with the clarity and insider knowledge that only a seasoned executive can provide. This is more than just a class, it’s a chance to build confidence in your producing abilities and expand your network. You’ll receive direct access to Eben through email, a class-specific lounge to connect with your peers, and practical handouts like real production budgets, a shooting schedule, and an industry-standard vocabulary guide. And don’t worry if you can’t attend every live session! All four sessions are recorded and saved to your Stage 32 library for on-demand access 48 hours later.

Eben has been behind some of the biggest projects in Hollywood, including the Oscar-nominated film ARRIVAL and the billion-dollar-grossing TRANSFORMERS franchise. His resume also includes major executive roles at Blumhouse Television and Invisible Narratives. In other words, he’s worked at every level of the producing process, and now he’s teaching you how to navigate it.

In this four-part class, you’ll learn:

• How to approach development with a producer’s mindset
• The right way to secure and package intellectual property
• What it takes to move a project out of “development hell”
• How to structure a successful pre-production plan
• The foundations of budgeting, scheduling, and team building

If you’re a writer ready to produce your own script, a director ready to take the reins on your next feature, or a creative who wants to learn the logistics behind the magic, this class is for you.

4-Part Class: Private Equity, Debt, Bridge & Gap Financing

Starting: April 5th

Instructor: Viviana Zarragoitia

Let’s face it: Financing an independent film is one of the most intimidating hurdles creatives face. Whether you’re producing your first feature or trying to level up your packaging and pitch game, understanding how money moves behind the scenes is essential. That’s why I’m so excited to bring you this brand-new Stage 32 class taught by one of the most respected financiers in the business: Viviana Zarragoitia.

Viviana has helped finance over 100 independent films and worked with major producers behind Oscar-winning and critically acclaimed titles like DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, JOKER, and THE HURT LOCKER. As Vice President of Three Point Capital, Viviana specializes in senior lending for film and television, so when it comes to understanding private equity, debt, bridge, and gap financing, there is no one better to learn from.

This four-part class will break down the world of film finance into digestible, practical strategies. You’ll learn:

• How to pitch to private investors and structure equity deals
• The real mechanics behind debt financing, including collateral and recoupment
• What bridge and gap financing actually look like—and how to use them wisely
• How to build a fully integrated finance plan that attracts distributors
• And how to avoid the very common pitfalls that stall promising projects

You’ll also receive exclusive handouts, including a finance plan template and waterfall recoupment schedule to use as real-world tools for your next pitch or package.

This class is interactive and held live on Zoom, so you can attend from anywhere. Once you register, you’ll be personally linked to Viviana via email and given a short questionnaire so she can better support your goals. You’ll have access to all class recordings in your Stage 32 library, plus a dedicated class lounge where you can collaborate, ask questions, and network with other creatives working toward similar financing goals.

If you’re serious about getting your film made, this class will give you the language, leverage, and leadership skills to make it happen.

8-Part Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Faith-Based Feature Film

Starting: April 5th

Instructor: Nathan Scoggins

If you’ve ever felt called to write a faith-based story, this is your moment. The audience for faith-based and inspirational films is rapidly growing, and studios, streamers, and distributors are actively looking for fresh, authentic voices in this space. But writing a compelling faith-based feature requires a careful balance. You want to inspire, not preach. You want to spark connection, not division. Most importantly, you want to tell a story that feels honest, grounded, and deeply human. That’s why we created this exclusive 8-part screenwriting lab: to give you the structure, mentorship, and professional insight to actually write your faith-based feature film from start to finish.

Your instructor, Nathan Scoggins, is a seasoned filmmaker in the faith-based market with an impressive resume. He wrote and directed WHAT REMAINS, released theatrically and starring Cress Williams (Black Lightning), Kellan Lutz (Twilight), and the late Anne Heche in her final role. He also directed THE LEAST OF THESE, starring Isaiah Washington and Robert Loggia, and has written for producers behind THE CHOSEN, WEDDING CRASHERS, and STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON. Nathan knows what works, and what doesn’t, when it comes to writing meaningful, marketable stories of faith.

You’ll meet weekly with Nathan and a small group of fellow writers to workshop your story, get detailed feedback, and push forward with weekly assignments that keep your momentum strong.

You’ll learn how to:

• Craft authentic, non-didactic stories that resonate with both faith-based and mainstream audiences
• Understand the storytelling expectations of the faith-based market
• Avoid the most common pitfalls that keep otherwise great ideas from connecting
• Structure and complete your full first draft—with guidance every step of the way

By the end of this lab, you’ll walk away with a completed draft of your faith-based screenplay and the tools to pitch and position it confidently in today’s industry.

8-Part Screenwriting Lab: Write a TV Procedural Script

Starting: April 9th

Instructor: Kate Sargeant

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing the next great long-running TV procedural—think LAW & ORDER, THE GOOD DOCTOR, or CRIMINAL MINDS—this is your moment. In this exclusive Stage 32 screenwriting lab, you’ll develop your very own procedural pilot under the guidance of seasoned TV writer Kate Sargeant, whose impressive credits include CASTLE, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, and BLINDSPOT.

Procedural storytelling demands a unique blend of compelling weekly plots and emotionally resonant characters. This lab is designed to help you master both. You’ll gain hands-on experience writing your procedural pilot from start to finish while also learning the secret sauce that makes successful procedurals click with audiences and networks alike.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a complete, polished procedural pilot and a toolkit of professional insights on how to craft strong episodic structure, dynamic characters, and long-term narrative arcs. Whether your idea leans toward medical, legal, crime, or something totally original, this lab will help you bring it to life with confidence.

As a bonus, all students get direct access to Kate throughout the lab, downloadable handouts, and an interactive lounge for peer support and networking. Miss a class? No problem, the recordings are added to your Stage 32 profile for on-demand viewing.

You’ll also receive:

• Procedural Pilot Structure Breakdown
• Case-of-the-Week Storytelling Guide
• Character Development Workbook

This lab will sharpen your writing skills and help you build a pitch-worthy series that could live for seasons. Don’t miss it!

8-Part Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Drama TV Pilot From Concept to Completed Script

Starting: April 26th

Instructor: Anna Henry

Dramatic television is in its golden era! Just look at the success of series like SHOGUN, THE CROWN, THE MORNING SHOW, WHITE LOTUS, and YELLOWJACKETS. With streamers and networks actively expanding their original content slates, the appetite for bold, high-quality drama pilots has never been stronger. If you’re ready to write your way into that market, this lab is your opportunity to craft a compelling, market-ready drama pilot that opens doors.

In this exclusive 8-week lab, you’ll write your own drama TV pilot from concept to final draft under the guidance of Anna Henry, a powerhouse development executive and producer with credits across AMC, Amazon Prime, Starz, HBO, Sony, and more. Anna has worked with major networks and studios as well as independent producers, and her feedback and story instincts are razor sharp.

Throughout this interactive lab, Anna will walk you through developing your concept, building layered characters, refining structure, and executing a compelling pilot script. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to polish an existing draft, Anna will meet you where you are and help you elevate your work to a professional standard. By the end of this course, you’ll walk away with a completed and polished drama pilot script, your calling card to secure meetings, reps, and writing room opportunities.

What you’ll gain from this lab:

• A fully written, professional-quality drama pilot
• Personalized guidance from an industry veteran
• Direct access to Anna via email throughout the course
• Feedback in both class and 1-on-1 settings
• A dedicated Stage 32 class lounge for peer feedback and support
• Recordings of all sessions added to your Stage 32 Library for on-demand review

Let this be the lab that gives your story the launchpad it deserves.

2-Part Pitching Lab: Perfecting Your 5 Minute Pitch For The Cannes Film Festival

Starting: April 26th

Instructor: Alexia Melocchi

If you’re heading to the Cannes Film Festival with a feature or TV project in hand, your 5-minute pitch could be the key that opens the right doors. But pitching at Cannes is fast-paced and competitive. You won’t have time for a lengthy backstory or a full script breakdown, you need a pitch that hooks, excites, and positions your project as a must-have for producers, investors, and distributors.

In this exclusive 2-part lab, international producer and distributor Alexia Melocchi will personally work with a small group of only 10 creatives to help you refine and perfect your pitch for maximum impact. Alexia has placed over 100 titles with major players like LIONSGATE, STX, LAKESHORE, and MISTER SMITH, and has worked on films like ANNA, PEPPERMINT, THE BOY 2, and SHAUN THE SHEEP. She’s heard, and delivered, hundreds of pitches, and she knows what makes them work.

In the first session, you’ll learn the critical elements of an effective pitch and share your project directly with Alexia. She’ll give real-time feedback and help you reshape and elevate your delivery. In the second session, held just days before Cannes, you’ll pitch again, this time stronger, sharper, and more confident, getting final feedback and tips to help you stand out in the crowd.

What You’ll Walk Away With:

• A refined 5-minute pitch vetted by a top international executive
• Hands-on, personalized feedback from Alexia Melocchi
• Pitch-ready confidence for Cannes, other markets, and meetings
• Email access to Alexia throughout the lab
• A small, supportive group of fellow creatives in a dedicated lounge
• Recordings of both sessions for review in your Stage 32 profile

Whether you’re attending Cannes or preparing for your next big opportunity, this lab will leave you with a polished, professional 5-minute pitch that gets attention and creates momentum for your project.

...And So Much More!

Whether you’re diving into one of April’s live classes or exploring our vast collection of past programs, the Stage 32 Education platform is designed to meet you where you are in your creative journey. From the Stage 32 Education page, you can search for keywords to find training in any discipline or process that interests you, or browse through popular categories and personalized recommendations. Once a webinar or class is completed, it becomes available on demand—along with all included materials—and stays in our catalog for you to revisit whenever needed. And don’t forget, you can access everything you’ve registered for at any time by selecting “My Library” in the top right corner of the Education page.

We’ve also updated the free Stage 32 App so you can take your learning on the go. Stream webinars, review class materials, and catch up on your courses straight from your mobile device. Make sure you’ve downloaded the latest version of the app HERE!

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