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5 Tips For Creating Great Characters In Your Screenplay

There are so many different aspects to your screenplay that will guarantee its success. A compelling story is one such aspect, but without interesting characters, the story will just fall flat. Here are some tips to help you write the best characters possible, and bring that story to life. 1. Make The Lead A Likable Person You may want to avoid this, as trying to make a character likable can often make the story dull and uninteresting. After all, if there's no one creating conflict, t…

It's Time For Our Cannes 2025 Recap!

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! As you probably saw from my posts, I like to compare festivals and markets not against one another, but year over year. We had a fantastic Cannes last year, but there was still much apprehension in the air. Residue from COVID and the strikes, although even then, the international perspective remained optimistic. This year, the vibe was overwhelmingly positive, and we’ve returned to business as usual. The general feeling toward any negativity is that…

Navigating Social Media Marketing For Creatives

Whether you are making Hollywood blockbusters, indie darlings, or passion projects in your back yard marketing your film on social media is incredibly beneficial. However, you may not be sure where to start. This article hopes to give you a guide, offering tips and advice on using social media as a creative. Create a Plan Work out what you want to share and when you want to share your posts. Take time to work out your target audience and post at the best times for them in order to get…

Top 5 Ways I Fumbled My First Short Film

Let me start by saying that I’m very proud of my film. It’s called Rematch. It took a lot of time and elbow grease to finish, but it’s done and it’s out there. And that counts for something. That being said, I don’t have any delusions about what I made. The short film landscape is incredibly competitive. I don’t know how accurate it is, but I read that as many as 12,000 short films are produced each year. I assume the source of this number is festival …

Coffee & Content: Action, Insight & Audience- What YouTube Can Teach Every Creator

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. This week’s featured video comes from Corridor Crew: Stuntmen React to THE KARATE KID (ft. Ben Wang). Corridor Digital founder Niko Pueringer and professional stuntman Gui Silva (Black P…

5 Tips for Writing a Screenplay for the Screen

*This blog is co-written by Elizabeth Blake-Thomas and Isabella Blake-Thomas. Embarking on the journey of screenwriting demands more than just creativity—it requires foresight into what makes a script not only compelling on paper but also viable for the silver screen. At Mother and Daughter Entertainment, we understand the intricacies of transforming a script from concept to production-ready material. Whether you're driven by passion, personal exploration, or the ambition to see y…

Breaking And Entering: How To Get A Job In Animation

I got my first internship in the animation business in 1998 and was hired full time as a production assistant for Walt Disney Feature Animation in 1999. I have worked relatively steadily in the animation industry ever since. One question I am often asked is, “How can I break into the animation industry?” Well, I’m not going to sugar coat it and say, “Just follow these simple steps, and you too can be living the dream in the magical world of animation!” The t…

Pushing Through the Storm: The Art of Holding On

Every creative journey has its storms, those moments when doubt, setbacks, and exhaustion make the finish line feel impossibly far away. Whether you're an artist, filmmaker, musician, or entrepreneur, the road to bringing a vision to life isn’t paved with ease. Instead, it's filled with unexpected detours, financial struggles, and moments where quitting seems like the only option. But here’s the truth: the projects that matter most are often the hardest to make happen. The W…

6 Tips To Know Before Editing Your First Feature

In 2020, I had the privilege of cutting a horror/thriller film titled The Boy Behind the Door. It was the directorial debut of David Charbonier & Justin Powell, and it was also my first feature-length project as an editor. The film was part of the Official Selection at Fantastic Fest in 2020 and received some genuine critical acclaim during its run. It then sold to Shudder and became available for streaming in 2021. The whole post-production process took over 2 years of diligent wor…

Coffee & Content: Your Mission- Create Boldly, Stay on Your Path

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. This week’s featured video essay comes from Frame Voyager, and it’s an absolute ride through the world of one of the most iconic action franchises in film history—Mission: Im…

How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Criticism of Your Art/Work

As an artist, you’re called to show up in the world. Whether it’s on stage, making a pitch, submitting your screenplay, putting on an art show, you make yourself vulnerable to others over and over again. Making art is a unique process. The initial stages of creating are deeply personal, but, eventually, you need the attention of your audience to bring your creative work to life. Though it began as something private, your art only achieves its purpose and full potential when …

Unlock Everything Stage 32 Has to Offer: Join Us For This Friday's Live Community Open House!

Hey, Stage 32 Community! Are you feeling lost on Stage 32? Whether you’ve just joined the platform or you’ve been here for a while wondering how to make the most of everything Stage 32 has to offer, you’re not alone. With so many resources, opportunities, and community spaces to explore, it can feel a little overwhelming at first. That’s exactly why I’m inviting you to join me for a special Free Stage 32 Community Open House this Friday! Register for fre…

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