Stage 32's August 2024 Education Schedule!

Happy Thursday, Stage 32 Community!

I hope that the last month has been joyful and productive for you all! Our Stage 32 Education Team has certainly been hard at work to bring incredible education opportunities and resources to this fantastic community.

This August, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, award-winning screenwriters, producers, directors, cinematographers, actors, consultants, authors, script coordinators, attorneys, financiers, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on or represented such projects as RUSSIAN DOLL, THE ACOLYTE, THE CROW, THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, THE GREEN KNIGHT, STRANGER THINGS, A CINDERELLA STORY, THE PERFECT MAN, LIFE-SIZE, WILLIAM & KATE, OH, CANADA, JOYLAND, DEAD SHOT, THE CARD COUNTER, THE GOOD PLACE, PARKS AND RECREATION, MASTER OF NONE, THIS IS US, THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS, N.C.I.S, CASTLE, CSI: CYBER, BLINDSPOT, and many others.

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!

Webinars

How To Use 11 Different Camera Angles To Evoke Mood and Emotion

Starting: Thursday, August 1st

Instructor: Shane Stanley

Get a crash course – or perhaps for our more advanced filmmakers, a refresher on the cinematic basics you need to know and what the purpose of these essential eleven angles offers to you, the storyteller. Learn how to build a foundation that gives you the time and confidence to be creative – one that you will be very proud of now and when you look back on it in the distant future. This webinar will give you the tools to cover all the basics needed to tell your story while allowing you the freedom and flexibility to create a visually stunning project. You will leave this webinar a better-equipped filmmaker who has a strong understanding of camera angles and lenses, how to get more angles with fewer setups, how to set the mood of the scene, how to use camera angles to capture the story in a more dynamic way, and so much more.

PLUS! Get this downloadable document:

• Detailed glossary of 11 shots you need to know and the equipment you need to capture them!

Guiding you through this webinar is multi-Emmy Award-Winning Producer and Director Shane Stanley. Shane has worked on countless projects and received his first Emmy nomination at just 16 years old. His directorial debut screened at Cannes and Shane’s work can be seen on multiple streaming sites. In addition to his Emmy Awards, Shane has received 11 Telly Awards, 2 CINE Golden Eagles Awards, 5 Aurora Awards, 4 WorldFest Remi Awards, and 28 International Film Festival Awards.

How to Direct TV Movies - Master the Unique Formula and Get More Work

Starting: Tuesday, August 6th

Instructor: Mark Rosman

As a TV movie director, you'll face unique challenges. You’ll need to navigate tight schedules, work with limited budgets, and meet high expectations from networks and production companies. In this exclusive webinar, you’ll dive into essential topics like defining TV movies and their parameters, understanding who is making cable TV movies and their typical financial structures, and learning how to land the job and navigate deal points. We’ll also explore the stages of pre-preproduction, preproduction, production, and post-production, providing you with a comprehensive guide to the entire process. By the end of this webinar, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of the TV movie landscape and the skills needed to excel as a director in this thriving market.

PLUS! You will receive:

• TV Movie Shooting Schedule from an actual shoot
• Guide to shooting on a shortened schedule!

Mark Rosman is a distinguished director known for his work on movies for Hallmark, Lifetime, and ABC. With a portfolio that includes beloved features such as A CINDERELLA STORY and THE PERFECT MAN, and TV movies such as LIFE-SIZE and WILLIAM & KATE, Mark has proven his exceptional talent for storytelling across various genres. His extensive experience and success in the television movie industry make him uniquely qualified to teach you this webinar, offering invaluable insights and practical advice to help you succeed.

How to Secure the Best Distribution Deal for Your Feature Film Project

Starting: Thursday, August 8th

Instructor: Tiffany Boyle

The intricacies of a distribution deal are many, and having an expert guide you through them is an invaluable tool for getting the most out of your deal. In this exclusive webinar, you will learn how the money flows and is actually dispersed from such deals, as well as the different types of deals you can expect from different distribution options, depending on size, genre, and reach. We will explore what different distributors are paying, what to look for in such a deal, and which distributors make the most economic sense for your specific project.

PLUS! You will receive these FREE downloads:

• Delivery Sample Schedule
• Domestic Distribution Deliverables Checklist
• Example Pitch Deck for a feature film

Tiffany Boyle is the President of Packaging & Sales at Ramo Law and a Partner of the production company, Vested Interest (OH, CANADA, JOYLAND, DEAD SHOT, THE CARD COUNTER). For over 10 years, she has worked on hundreds of film and television projects. In her day-to-day life, she works hand in hand with creators, networks, studios, financiers, and streamers on a variety of deals.

A Producer’s Guide to Hiring and Managing Key Departments

Starting: Monday, August 12th

Instructor: Chris Debiec

In this exclusive webinar, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of every main department involved in film and TV production. You'll learn about effective communication and negotiation within departments, understanding their specific needs versus wants, and how to guide and make informed decisions. You will cover key departments such as locations, vanities (hair, makeup, and wardrobe), camera, production management, accounting, and catering. For each department, you'll explore critical hiring considerations, essential skills, and the tools and vendors necessary for success. You'll also learn about special skills and job hours, ensuring you are well-equipped to handle the unique challenges of each department. You will walk away feeling confident that you can hire the best talent and manage them effectively, ultimately enhancing the quality and efficiency of your film or TV production.

PLUS! Get an exclusive handout package of sample agreements for:

• Crew agreements
• Cast agreements
• Music agreements
• and more!

Chris Debiec knows a thing or two about how to hire key department heads. He was the VP of Production at Entertainment One Television (eOne) and was the CEO of Oscar-winning Director James Cameron's company, Earthship Productions. He's worked on studio-level projects such as OSCAR, THE CROW, THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, and DINOSAUR, as well as the hit A24 film THE GREEN KNIGHT. With over three decades in production, Chris is exceptionally qualified to guide you through the intricacies of hiring and managing key departments.

How to Choose the Best Camera for Your Film

Starting: Thursday, August 15th

Instructor: Gareth Taylor

In this webinar, you will explore the questions that lead to making the best decisions for your project - cameras, lenses, support systems, and lighting. With each topic being broad and worthy of its own webinar, you will focus on how you can think about approaching a project from a technical standpoint rather than simply comparing different tools. What size camera should you consider and why? What type of lenses would give the right feel to the project? How do these choices affect the post-production workflow? What collaborators should be involved in the conversation? And many more questions to ask when approaching a project to set ourselves up for a successful shoot.

Garth Taylor is an award-winning cinematographer who has worked on over 70 films and documentaries in addition to dozens of commercials and music videos. He has also worked on several TV series such as STRANGER THINGS. Gareth is one of our most popular instructors and we are thrilled to have him here to share the knowledge gained over a 15-year career.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Working as a Script Coordinator

Starting: Tuesday, August 20th

Instructor: Tyler Straessle

In this exclusive webinar, you will learn what it's like in the Writers' Room and why Final Draft is such an important software for you and your production. You'll learn the step-by-step instructions on how to proof and distribute a script, and you will also learn how to break in as a Script Coordinator. you will also do a case study on a shooting script for THE GOOD PLACE. You will walk away from this webinar feeling confident in the fundamentals of Script Coordination and how to make yourself invaluable to Showrunners and Producers!

PLUS! You will receive:

• A downloadable shooting draft script of THE GOOD PLACE starring Ted Danson and Kristen Bell

To help you understand the complexities of the Script Supervisor role is one of the best in the business, Tyler Straessle. Tyler has worked as a Script Coordinator and Writers' Assistant for a variety of hit shows including THE GOOD PLACE, PARKS AND RECREATION, MASTER OF NONE, Judd Apatow’s LOVE and DEVIOUS MAIDS.

Self-Taping 101: Everything You Need to Know to Successfully Audition

Starting: Thursday, August 22nd

Instructor: Kym Jackson

A well-made self-tape can make a huge difference in how casting views both your talent and your professionalism. When you make simple mistakes on your self-tape you are signaling one of two things to a casting director, either you don't know better, or you don't care enough to fix it. Either can be disastrous for how casting views you not only for this audition but for future auditions with their office. Kym Jackson will walk you through self-tape equipment and technical setup, then share performance tips, before moving on to editing methods and finally exporting and uploading your self-tape auditions. She will show you how to execute each stage of self-taping in a way that supports and enhances your performance, so you can avoid mistakes that distract from it.

PLUS! you will receive:

• A downloadable Self-Tape Setup Map

Your instructor for this webinar is Actress Kym Jackson (THIS IS US, THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS, N.C.I.S), who literally wrote the book on being an actor in LA, The Hollywood Survival Guide For Actors. Kym will walk you through self-tape equipment and technical setup, then share performance tips, before moving on to editing methods and finally exporting and uploading your self-tape auditions. She will show you how to execute each stage of self-taping in a way that supports and enhances your performance, so you can avoid mistakes that distract from it.

Classes

4-Part Class: The Ultimate Feature Film Toolkit: How to Craft Your Synopsis, Pitch, Director Lookbook, and Business Prospectus

Starting: Wednesday, August 7th

Instructor: Emma Louise Smith

In this class, you'll dive into crafting your synopsis and logline, learning the key elements, and reviewing successful examples. you will learn to master your verbal pitch, with tips for captivating your audience as well as common pitfalls to avoid. You'll also create a director's pitch lookbook, exploring mood, style, tone, and the director's vision. Finally, you'll develop a business prospectus, understand its key components, and learn how to highlight the financial potential of your film. Each week includes a Q&A session with Emma and practical homework assignments to help you refine your pitch materials. You will leave this class with a clear blueprint of all the pitch materials you need for your feature film so you are prepared for any scenario!

PLUS! You will receive:

• A pitch deck template to use when creating your own pitch deck!

Emma Louise Smith is a seasoned Producer, Executive Producer, and Financier with extensive experience in international finance and co-production who has worked on dozens of feature films. Emma is an International Advisory Board Member for the International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA), where she mentors producers in finance and co-production. With a background as an ACCA chartered accountant and experience advising Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWI), Emma brings a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise to guide you through the intricacies of pitching your film project.

Labs

Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Female-Driven One-Hour Television Pilot in 8 Weeks

Starting: Saturday, August 3rd

Instructor: Colleen Labella

In this exclusive 8-week lab, you will take your female-driven one-hour television pilot from concept to script. Along the way, you'll be guided by a successful executive and work one-on-one with them, receiving direct and personalized feedback throughout the eight weeks. Three of your eight sessions include one-on-one meetings with Colleen to get personal feedback on your work so that you leave this lab with a fully drafted script vetted by an industry executive. This hands-on experience goes much further than other classes and webinars. You'll study successful television pilots alongside a small group of passionate writers in an interactive setting. You'll also workshop your script and your classmates' work as a group in sessions and have take-home assignments, so your script is always progressing and getting stronger.

You'll receive exclusive female-driven scripts, including:

• RUSSIAN DOLL
• MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
• KILLING EVE

Colleen Labella is Director of Development at Shoot to Midnight, the company behind the Emmy-nominated series RUSSIAN DOLL on Netflix, the Freeform series SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, and the recent series Star Wars series THE ACOLYTE. Colleen has centered her career around womxn stories and the LGBTQIA+ community, which can be seen across these varied projects.

*Spots to work with Colleen are limited. Once they're filled, they are gone. Don't miss out on your chance to write your script and work one-on-one with a top industry executive today.

8-Part Screenwriting Lab: Mock Writers' Room - Break Story on a Network 1 Hour Procedural Drama

Starting: Tuesday, August 6th

Instructor: Kate Sargeant

Over the course of this intimate eight-week interactive virtual lab, Kate will delve into the craft of the network procedural hour drama and then lead you through a mock CSI: CYBER writers' room, where you will gain experience pitching A, B, and C story ideas, breaking the episode on a virtual whiteboard as a group, and then practice pitching acts to the showrunner. What better way to learn than to break the PILOT of a new CSI spinoff? Not only will you experience what it’s like to work in a writers’ room – but you will also have hands-on experience breaking the pilot of a TV show. Through both Kate’s lessons and her leading of the writers’ room, you will gain direct, practical, and real-world experience that you can take with you as you pursue your own television career.

Kate Sargeant is an accomplished television writer with especially deep experience in network procedural dramas, working on over 100 episodes of network TV on shows like CASTLE, CSI: CYBER, NCIS: NOLA, and BLINDSPOT. Most recently, Kate served as a Supervising Producer on a one-hour drama for NETFLIX entitled OBLITERATED.

Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Feature Screenplay in 12 Weeks with Expert Guidance from a Global Executive

Starting: Saturday, August 17th

Instructor: Thomas Pemberton

Over 12 intensive weeks, Thomas will work closely with you and a small group of writers in outlining, writing, and actually completing your feature film screenplay. Each week, Thomas will lead an intimate group session where he will offer notes and guidance on specific portions of each writer’s screenplay or planning documents, incrementally and methodically working towards a complete and polished product. You will additionally have the benefit of getting support, feedback, and perspective from the other members of the lab, as well as the opportunity to offer your own for their projects.

Thomas Pemberton is the Development Executive at the global production company Mind's Eye Entertainment, which has produced over 60 feature film and television projects. They have produced over $400 million in film and TV projects and have garnered over 50 national and international awards. Thomas has a keen eye for great material and is quick to champion material he believes in. He discovered four writers through Stage 32 who now have their projects under option with Mind’s Eye Entertainment!

8-Part Lab: Write Your TV Pitch Deck and Learn How to Pitch Your Show in 8 Weeks

Starting: Saturday, August 24th

Instructor: Ewan Dunbar

In this exclusive interactive 8-part lab, you'll delve deep into writing an effective pitch deck for your scripted television idea - one that will clearly communicate your intentions, excite the reader, and convey your voice and your passion. Whether you have a comedy or drama series, 30 minutes or 60 minutes, Dunbar is here to help. He will walk you through communicating your show's world, creating your characters, and how best to convey your story within the bounds of a TV pitch deck. After two months of intense work on your pitch deck, you’ll have the vital pitch materials you need to take your project to the next level and the skills to market any new project you put your passion behind with a pitch deck.

Throughout this exclusive online lab, you will have direct access to Dunbar as a mentor by email and via video conferencing as you develop your pitch deck.

World-class development executive, Ewan Dunbar, from Red Stag Entertainment has developed scripts and pitch decks with writers and creators that have gone on to secure development deals and meetings at various broadcast partners, distributors, and streamers, including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon. Over 8 interactive sessions, you will be working directly with Dunbar in a virtual class setting and in one-on-one online sessions to put together a great TV pitch deck to help you communicate your show and get execs and buyers interested. Dunbar will guide you as you create a pitch deck that demonstrates to executives what about your show, its characters, and the world will stand out from the crowd and keep audiences entertained, as well as ways in which writing your deck will help to improve your pilot episode and project overall.

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