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Navigating Business & Legal Affairs For Independent Film Projects

Independent film projects deal with business and legal aspects all the time. Bigger production companies generally have an in-house or external business and legal affairs manager. This is however less common for small production companies. In this article, we will discuss the role of business and legal affairs in independent film, and explore the areas covered by a business and legal affairs department or manager.     Business and Legal Affairs in Independent Film Busi…

Coffee & Content: When The Director Crops The Film

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, this video by From The Frame digs into the perennial debate on aspect ratios. Which framing is best? But there's a nuance to this debate that the pros and cons often miss: the director's intent. Using examples from TITANIC, DUNE, OPPENHEIMER, and more, you'll see just how filmmakers compo…

Stage 32's April 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 April, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, award-winning screenwriters, producers, directors, showrunners, animators, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on or …

Want Success in the Entertainment Industry? 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…

Spirit Nominated Producer Discusses Feature Film Production Management

Making a feature film and seeing it distributed is a great feeling for any producer. But to see your film distributed, you have to deliver it to your distributor in a specific way, with all types of documentation and physical assets. So imagine finally having the opportunity to get your film out into the world. And then imagine that the opportunity starts slipping away when your distributor provides a master deliverables list of all the required assets needed to be delivered for the fi…

Coffee & Content: How Money Changed America's Biggest Awards

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 Bloomberg Originals, you'll learn about the …

How To Put Together A Recoupment Schedule For Audiovisual Projects

Independent audiovisual projects generally have a so-called recoupment schedule. The recoupment schedule, often referred to as the waterfall, is the project’s payment schedule. It essentially describes how the revenues generated from international distribution are allocated and disbursed. Sometimes other revenue streams, like festival receipts, merchandising income, or surplus of tax credit proceeds are also included. Any audiovisual project, whether it is a feature film, a TV se…

Stage 32 Certification Featured In The Wrap!

Hey, Creative Army! When the good news rains, it pours! Stage 32 Certification was once again spotlighted, this time in a recent article on The Wrap, “Do the Math: Production Accountant Shortage Equals New Hollywood Careers”. This article dives into the changing landscape of the entertainment industry and how new educational programs, like Stage 32 Certification, are paving the way for real work opportunities as a Production Accountant on productions around the world. We'r…

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 …

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…

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…

Happy Holidays from the Stage 32 Team

On behalf of the entire Stage 32 family, I'd like to wish you all a happy, healthy, and loving Christmas and the remainder of the holiday season. While the holidays are a time of celebration, I hope everyone will take a moment to reflect on the many blessings life has offered and afforded all of us. We personally feel blessed to have had so many of you enter and enrich our lives. The Stage 32 community has grown to over 1,000,000 members from around the globe, and we are beyond honored …

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