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Harnessing the Storm: An Odyssey Through the World’s Paramount Filming Pool

*Jean Pierre co-wrote this piece with his business partner, Vadim Fortunin. Cinema’s magic lies in its power to whisk audiences into uncharted realms. The grandeur of open seas and the mysteries of underwater abysses often beckon filmmakers, yet capturing such scenes is no small feat. The wild temperament of natural waters and the ensuing logistical quagmires are often stumbling blocks. However, nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta emerges as a cinematic sanctuary, off…

Coffee & Content: American Neorealism - Film's New Favorite Genre

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. First up, this video from TyFrom99 is an excellent look at the recent ris…

32 Tips For Indie Feature Film Development & Pre-Production

Fun. The main reason most of us got into (or are trying to get into) the film and TV industry is because it sounds so much fun! And it is - some of the best times of my life have been on set. I have been lucky enough to have filmed all over the world, from Pinewood to Bollywood and from Montana to the Sahara. I’ve worked on some really wonderful productions and I’ve been on some really awful productions that if I could get in my TARDIS, travel back in time, and change that ti…

Coffee & Content: Gareth Edwards' Sci-Fi Film School

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, in this video from Letterboxd, THE CREATOR director Gareth Edwards (also the director of ROGUE ONE) explains the cinematic and visual references that he utilized and was inspired by while working on the new film about a future war with A.I. One of the most interesting moments happens abou…

The Economics of Short Films

You’re a filmmaker, a writer, a director, maybe even an actor. You want to keep working, but the phone’s not ringing so… you decide to shoot a short film. Before you start down the rabbit hole you may want to ask a few questions. Why do I want to shoot a short film? What resources do I have at my disposal? What resources will I need to obtain? And the most impactful question: What’s it going to cost? Anyone who has ever taken on the challenge of shooting …

Coffee & Content: In-Camera Effects Using Different Frame Rates

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. First up, some of the best effects are the simplest. In this video from Film Rio…

Want Success? Start Writing Your Own Narrative!

Want Success? Stop Listening to the Hollywood Narrative! Is it just me, or does it feel like Hollywood is set up to make you fail? Obstacle, after obstacle… Rejection, after rejection… It’s *almost* not even worth trying. And I can say ‘almost’ because those of us who still believe in the magic of our dreams, have a passion so strong that we are going to go for it, despite all of the hardships we hear about. If you are one of those people, like me, I…

5 Tips To Make Networking Opportunities Valuable

Networking is too often associated with adjectives such as uncomfortable, artificial, or intimidating. However, there are concrete ways to change your mindset and navigate these situations effectively so it goes back to what it was originally intended for: creating and solidifying meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships, in your industry and beyond. 1) Think About Your Purpose As a film producer, I have always wanted to work with people from all over the world to make authen…

8 Tips To Help Make Your Feature Film A Reality

Small feature films are roads to much bigger projects. A positive, proactive attitude will propel your work. Here is what you need to give your film a fighting chance against the competition. 1. Aim For Attention Successful projects happen when you adopt a realistic approach to their completion. Don’t think too big too soon. Storytelling as a filmmaker is a lifelong learning curve but a positive attitude is everything. A feature film carries the kudos and longevity that short-for…

Coffee & Content: Showrunner Ali LeRoi's Advice For Writers

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, we love giving writers advice on their craft and career straight from the pros (and if you're a member of the Writers' Room, you see this regularly with our Wednesday Webcasts), so this week, I wanted to share this video from the Writers' Guild Foundation. The Foundation interviews showru…

Stage 32’s $100,000 Education Giveaway Featured In Variety!

Hi, Stage 32-ers!   Right now is a challenging time for film and television creatives worldwide. Even though things are uncertain, the one thing that is certain is that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes will not last forever. At the end of this difficult time, the marketplace will emerge with new possibilities and opportunities. Still, we have heard from so many members of the Stage 32 community who are struggling to stay inspired and motivated. We get it, it’s not easy. But w…

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