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Stage 32 & Catalyst Studios Unveil Script Development Program Finalists & Announce Berlinale MD Mariette Rissenbeek As A Mentor

Happy Tuesday, Creative Army! As many of you already know, this past September at the 80th annual Venice International Film Festival, we made a huge announcement! In partnership with Catalyst Studios–a groundbreaking U.S. production company supporting female-fronted projects– we launched a first-of-its-kind screenwriting contest for feature films with a focus on social impact! We were overjoyed and impressed with the flood of submissions that we received from all over t…

Screenwriter Lands Option Agreement From 'SHARKNADO' Writer Thunder Levin After Connecting On Stage 32

Before I turned 30, I decided to pursue acting. In 2016, I joined acting classes and met people who would not only become my best friends but also huge inspirations for me. Some of them introduced me to the idea of writing my own script. I got into acting because of my love of old horror movies and wanted to pursue this impossible dream before starting a family. Even before I started acting, however, I always had an idea - a personal passion project - stuck in my head that I knew, one …

Coffee & Content: When The Director Is An Expert In Color Theory

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, in this video from Archer Green, you'll see how to use color th…

How To Maximize Your Entertainment Career With Stage 32!

I hope all of you are well and looking forward to making some pretty amazing connections on Stage 32! I am a mother of three girls, one and a half college grads, and a little Einstein. My eldest is an entrepreneur and teaches influencers how to grow, increase leads, and sustainability. My middle child attends SCAD and has been in more films than I’ve ever written. My baby girl has mastered 2D, 3D, and all things technical more than mommy and preparing to do some work for Crunchyro…

Influencers vs. Investors - The Future Of Film Funding

After publishing my most recent blog, “Why Crowdsource Funding is Essential for Independent Producers”, there was some interesting feedback that pushed back, stating big investors are still the only legitimate way to fund film or other media projects. It was pointed out to me that, “If your goal eventually is a feature film that will be distributed internationally then you are stepping into serious business, and the film should carry the weight of serious business …

Stage 32 Short Film Program Winner Shortlisted For An Oscar!

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! Your fellow Stage 32 community member and winner of Stage 32’s Short Film Program, Lisa Cole, is on the shortlist for an Oscar this year for her film BIENVENIDOS A LOS ANGELES! Together with Stage 32’s decade-long partnership with Hollyshorts, we were thrilled to be able to screen her film at the 2023 Hollyshorts Festival this past August. Now we can add the excitement of being shortlisted for an Oscar! Inspired by true events and shot on l…

Why Is Production Legal So Important?

The production of content, whether film, television or other media, is a complex and multifaceted process that requires careful attention to legal considerations. Production legal, while sometimes overlooked, plays a large role in shaping the overall picture of a production, and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth execution of content creation. From securing the chain of title to navigating contractual obligations, production legal is essential for safeguarding the creative and f…

Announcing the 3rd Annual Female Driven Screenwriting Contest

Stage 32 + United Airlines Descend Upon Park City This Week

Hey, Creative Army! Every year thousands of filmmakers flock to Park City, UT for one of America's most well-known festivals celebrating independent cinema, Sundance! Some of the industry’s most legendary films and filmmakers have been born out of independent film. It's always an exciting time for creatives and film enthusiasts to congregate and celebrate new independent films and collaborate on the shifts in the industry. In Stage 32's continuing effort to contribute to diversit…

Coffee & Content: Full Directors Roundtable

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 The Hollywood Reporter, we see the directors from some of last year's most talked-about films discuss their visions, inspirations, and big takeaways from their recent work. The roundtable includes Ava DuVernay (ORIGIN), Blitz Bazawule (THE COLOR PURPLE), Bradley Cooper …

The Dangers Of Getting Top Production Value For Zero Cost

Most of you will know me from previous blogs on this site, and most of the time those blogs tend towards contentious subject matter. If this is your first time reading me, welcome. My name is Tennyson E. Stead and I’m a writer and director who has worked in disciplines ranging from film finance to gaffing and grip. As a screenwriter, script doctor, and ghostwriter, I’ve written more than 50 screenplays and I’ve been paid for a sizable percentage of those. My directing…

Busting 3 Character Development Myths

Alright, let me ask you a question. What's the hardest part of screenwriting? Is it building the plot? Crafting the theme? Maintaining story structure? In my opinion, it's developing characters. Without characters, there's no story. And everything else in the screenplay doesn't matter because the audience needs something to connect to. Knowing this, I put all my efforts into creating the best characters possible. I spent years reading books, watching YouTube videos, and scavenging the i…