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Coffee & Content - Screenwriting, Filmmaking, Acting, Financing, Distribution & More!

Hey guys!  Happy Sunday. The past week has been consumed by Cannes prep (see all the details here), so I have something a little different for Coffee & Content this week.  And it's something for everyone.  How about we cover ground on all the following topics: - Why you need to cut the negativity out of your life- Today! - Why you do not need to be micromanaged as a screenwriter or a filmmaker - How you can bring value to every meeting - What I'm hearing …

5 Things You Need to Know About Hollywood in The Year 2018

My agent once told me that he was more than happy for me to write my little character drama about a man who lives a double life robbing banks. He then asked me if I could also build him a time machine back to 1975 so he could sell it. Point taken. Hollywood is a fluid business where trends change in a matter of months. Some genres, in fact, go completely dormant. In 2009 The Proposal, It’s Complicated, and Couples Retreat all grossed 100M+ domestically. Know what the highest grossi…

Let's Talk Screenwriting!

Hey guys, You all know I love to talk, but there are few topics I enjoy talking about more than screenwriting.  And based on many of the questions submitted for the AMA this past week, many of you are looking for some direction, clarity and productive strategies as it relates to the craft and business of screenwriting. That's why I'm excited to announce that I will be returning as a guest on Scriptchat this coming Sunday at 5PM PDT.  What's Scriptchat?  Well, it's an hou…

Cannes Roll Call - Who's Going? Who Has Films?

Well, this is exciting. As you all know Stage 32 has has worked directly with and have had an official presence at the Cannes Film Festival for the last 4 years. This year, our role with Cannes has grown. We are thrilled to announce that we are an official education workshop partner with the Cannes Marche du Film!  Stage 32 will be presenting an official workshop to producers, filmmakers and other content creators on the importance of audience building, branding and crowdsourcing at…

Getting The Call: Me and the Machine

Getting the Call It started, as it always does, with a phone call. I was driving down Sunset, it was a beautiful day in Hollywood; and I was feeling good. I had been in Los Angeles for five years, after having moved from Minneapolis. I had some great success back home and was expecting to jump right into the business when I go out here, but I was in for a bit of a surprise. I booked a guest star after only a couple of months, but then things really dried out. I spent the next five year…

Coffee & Content - The Best Acting Lesson in the World & The Storyteller in All of Us

Happy Sunday to all.  Hope you are all enjoying and taking advantage of Introduce Yourself Weekend! Back with another 2 videos designed to entertain and educate. First up, New York Acting Coach John Windsor-Cunningham with an acting lesson he says saved his own career.  The vid is titled The Best Acting Lesson in the World (I don't name 'em folks) and I'll be very interested to get your feedback. Next up, a TEDx talk from Zach King:  The storyteller in all of us.  …

Follow our Stage 32 Feature Writing Contest Winner!

Bring out the congratulation banners and the fanfares! This week we bring to you a video made by our one and only 3rd Annual Stage 32 Feature Screenplay Contest winner, Jonathan Jordan. Like our previous contest winners, we had him record his journey as he went through his meetings with our illustrious judges including: Rachel Crouch, development executive for Cold Iron Pictures whose line of work includes SWISS ARMY MAN and DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL, David Harris, an independent producer…

Coffee & Content - Get Your Short Film Screened at Festivals & Editing: Holding Long & Cutting Short

Happy Sunday to all my creative friends.  Hope you're all having an awesome weekend.  First up for Coffee & Content this week, with so many Stage 32 members creating short films and short form digital content, I thought it might be worth having a look at Filmmaker IQ's recent video How to Get Your Short Screened at Film Festivals.  Certainly interested in hearing your thoughts on this one! Next, from our friends at Cinefix, yet another comprehensive video.  This…

How I've Been Able to Make 6 Feature Films In 2 Years

It’s been two years since I began the crazy notion of directing and writing my feature films. In that time I’ve written a book that’s been published that I’m turning into a movie later this year, I have completed 6 feature films. All totally different genres. I have met an incredible mentor who supports me in ways I never thought possible. I am speaking on a directors panel at Cannes Film Festival and I have won various awards at various film festivals. The reason…

Coffee & Content - How Werner Herzog Masters Storytelling & 3 Fillmmaking Mistakes to Avoid

Happy Sunday, everyone. Let's get right to the action, shall we? Today I have 2 videos from This Guy Edits, a very popular channel on YouTube. First up, who doesn't love Werner Herzog?  Well, maybe there are some that don't connect with his art, but it's hard not to connect to the person and his passion for storytelling.  How does he get it done?  How Werner Herzog Masters Storytelling explains all. Next, I have 3 Filmmaking Mistakes to Avoid and, well, although the ti…

Are You Ready to Get on the Hustle?

Hello, creative army! You've all heard me preach about the importance of relationships as it relates to accelerating your path toward success.  In my humble opinion, the daily work you put into your craft should be matched by the time and effort you put into building and nurturing relationships.  I'm not alone in this thinking.  Just yesterday, I was having lunch with my screenwriting manager, a guy who has been around and seen it all.  When I asked him the biggest m…

Coffee & Content - How 3-Act Screenplays Work (and why it matters) & Making Your Editing Better

Happy Sunday, everyone.  And for those celebrating, a very Happy Easter Sunday. Today for Coffee & Content, another 2 detailed videos designed to make you think and inspire you to take action. First up, from Lindsay Ellis, a most righteous and comprehensive video on 3-act structure within a screenplay.  This one delivers the goods, I promise you. Next up, do you think one tip could be so good, it would drastically improve your editing?  This Guy Edits does and so do…

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