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The Two Things I Learned As An Independent Filmmaker

I’m standing at the bar like a fish out of water at the local networking event when three women approach my corner. Looking at my name tag one says “So Michael Campo, what do you do?” It’s times like these I think about all the creative answers I could give, each a little funnier than the last but with three sets of peering eyes staring I decided to tell the truth. “I’m a filmmaker.” This answer is usually greeted with one of two responses. …

The Biggest Secret Film Score Composers Don't Want You To Know

I want to let you in on a secret that no accomplished composer wants you to know. So why am I telling you? Honestly, it’s because I am a teacher and it’s just in my blood to teach. The thing is, I will actually be making my life much harder by teaching you this secret because as many of you know, it is extremely competitive in the world of film score composing. It’s not because there are just soooo many unbelievably talented composers out there, it’s simply becaus…

What Do Weinstein, Disney & 'Spotlight' Have in Common?

Hey guys. One of the things I love most about overseeing Stage 32's Next Level Education is getting to find some really great instructors for you.  This week is no exception. I've brought in: Holly Brown, a producer's who's film THE FOUNDER starring Michael Keaton which will be released by The Weinstein Company this year to teach you How To Make Your Film Slate Work For You. Steve Desmond, a prolific filmmaker and writers who's worked with Disney, Dreamworks, Level 1 Enterta…

Becoming a Writer/Director is Hard, But It’s Very Doable!

Making films wasn’t my first thought on what I wanted to do with my life. An artist, sure, but what kind I had no idea. I floundered around up in Santa Barbara for a decade trying to figure this out. After surviving Isla Vista I found myself downtown taking every art course offered at City College. I took about 12 pages worth when I found myself getting a DJ job at a local radio station. One day it clicked, I love sound, all sounds, pictures also, drawn or photographed. I should th…

Stage 32 Celebrates Women Filmmakers At Different Faces Different Voices Festival This Week

Stage 32 is honored to be working with Harvard Square Script Writers and Women In Film & Video New England, as a partner for their Different Faces Different Voices Film Festival this week which features screenings of 29 "Flicks4Chicks" short films. This festival is celebrating the work of women filmmakers from across the the world and the talented men who collaborate with them. Teams of filmmakers, of both genders, were challenged to write and produce a 10 minute (or shorter) film i…

‘Diary of a Chambermaid’ Director Benoît Jacquot on How a Century-Old Novel Mirrors Today’s World.

Conceived at the dawn of the 20th century and shaped by the outburst of influences during that transitional period, Octave Mirbeau’s novel about a young and defiant Parisian house keeper who refuses to fully surrender to a life of servitude working for wealthy French families in the provinces, ignited the cinematic passions of celebrated auteurs such as Renoir and Buñuel, each of whom adapted the provocative piece with their own sensibilities. Now, nearly 50-years after the …

When A Mediamaker Should Engage An Entertainment Attorney

Many mediamakers know they need a lawyer out the gate and yet initially they are often fearful of employing a lawyer as they fear they can't afford it. That is why I am frequently asked: "When should a mediamaker engage an entertainment attorney?" As a general rule, this should be done when the client is entering into a contractual relationship with another person or entity, such as two co-producers, two writing collaborators, a producer and a writer, a producer and a director, etc. It …

Starting Out: Don’t Undervalue Your Work

I can’t believe I graduated college two years ago, it feels like it’s been forever. I’ve spent the bulk of my two years applying to different gigs, sending out pitches, entering competitions, and trying to make some money in the film industry (not retail). When I was applying to gigs, I began wondering what’s the right rate to charge with my experience on set. How much should I sell a script for? What should I charge a client to write a script? I had so many ques…

RB's Interview on Rolling Tape Podcast!

Hey Everyone! Today we have a GREAT interview with our CEO, RB, with Forest Day Jr, from the video podcast, Rolling Tape. Whether you are new to the site or if you've been with us forever, you will really enjoy watching RB talk about Stage 32, what the site means to him and how it can benefit members. You can view the podcast below... RB explains what Stage 32 is all about and how he came up with the idea, as well as the importance of regular connecting and networking. RB gives exam…

Making Sound Decisions

For most dramatic films, production sound is critical to the storytelling. It has been said that 70% of the film is the dialog sound. Getting good production dialog recorded can be very challenging especially when budget does not permit hiring the skilled talent that is needed. The world of recording dialog on a movie set is filled with many challenges, tips, tricks, and sometimes a little magic. Just like magic performed by a magician or cinematography directed by a DP, production sound…

Cut It Out!

I’ve done it, you’ve done it, everyone’s done it: as you watch a movie or TV show you find yourself screaming “not that again!” or “he wouldn’t do that!” or “that makes no sense!” So now I’m going to list my pet peeves – those things I just can’t stand seeing over and over again in shows or movies. Or those things that just leap out as contrivances that just don’t work. I also reached out to colleagues i…

Panamanian - Venezuelan Feature Hands of Stone Pays Tribute to Robert De Niro in Cannes

  On Monday, May, 16th, the Festival de Cannes welcomed Robert De Niro in the Grand Theatre Lumière of the Palais des Festivals for a unique and special screening in Official Selection of "Hands of Stone" by Venezuelan director Jonathan Jakubowicz. The movie is about Panamanian boxer Roberto Duràn (Edgar Ramírez) and his manager and coach Ray Arcel (Robert De Niro) who takes him to the highest worldwide successes of the ring in the '70s and '80s, including le…

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