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Stage 32 Now Certifying The International Producers Organization South Africa!

As the film and television industry continues to evolve, one thing has become increasingly clear: this is no longer a centralized business. The future of entertainment is global, and Stage 32 is leading the charge in preparing the worldwide workforce that will shape it. For over a decade, Stage 32 has been the worldwide leader in entertainment industry education, serving creatives in more than 190 countries. Through partnerships with top-tier industry players like Netflix, the Cannes Fi…

Stage 32 Launches Global Screenwriting Contest Hub: Oscar and BAFTA Qualifying Contests Participating!

Happy Wednesday, Creative Army! There are moments in this business when everything changes. Today is one of those moments. With the recent announcement that Coverfly is shutting down on August 1st, and after their prior closure of Industry Arts platforms, we knew thousands of screenwriters around the world were going to be left without a clear path to discover contests, get professional feedback, and get discovered. So we stepped up. As announced on Deadline, I’m incredibly pr…

From Idea to Laurel: How I Wrote, Directed & Produced My First Short Film in 5 Weeks

If you had told me a while ago that I'd be where I am today, I would've said you were wrong. But "wrong" and "right" are subjective, aren't they? They depend on your goals, ideas, and beliefs. Today, I want to share my filmmaking journey with you, along with some tips that might help you if you're dreaming of directing your own short film.  My Unexpected Path to Directing I pioneered female entrepreneurship in Portugal and won the most significant awards a businesswoman could wi…

July Filmmakers Club Week 3: Finding The Right Producer To Fit Your Genre & Style

Happy Monday, Stage 32 Community! The past few months have seen market trends shift dramatically, with budgets increasing and major players leaving the low-budget space, making more room for indie producers to carve out their own niche. This is why it's more critical than ever that filmmakers understand what producers are looking for in order to team up with the right partner. Finding The Right Producer To Fit Your Genre & Style As a screenwriter, you've poured your heart into…

Coffee and Content: Sound Is the Secret Weapon of Great Filmmaking

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 StudioBinder: Post Production Sound for Film — How to Make Your Movie Sound Great! There’s a saying in film that goes something like th…

3 Tales Of My Feature Film's Near Death

Yep. MAGPIE FUNERAL, a recent film of mine, was almost dead on arrival. But hey, what independent film can’t say that? Here are three crazy stories about MAGPIE FUNERAL, now streaming on TubiTV, Amazon Video, YouTube, and Google Play. Story One: TIMING IS EVERYTHING. John T. Sweeney, Magpie Funeral’s producer, insisted that the production must start in mid-October of that year. I had the following January in mind. But John persisted. He explained it was imperative princi…

What Is Cinematic?

This was the first and last question I was asked as a student in film school. Is it something that we see on a big screen? That can’t possibly be the answer, you can see just about anything on a “big screen” these days and most cinematic experiences now happen in your home. I remember playing Metal Gear Solid on my PlayStation and remarking that it was quite a “cinematic experience.” Yet, when I watch the news, I don’t feel like it’s a cinematic …

The Undeniable Importance of Location Scouting!

Ever been to - or coordinated - a wedding? A special birthday party? Perhaps a charity event, musical concert, or film festival? More than likely, you have benefited from a wonderful person employing Location Scouting for a truly enjoyable experience. Or possibly been rudely introduced to the perils of poor Location Scouting when you couldn’t park, packed all the wrong things, and couldn’t find a clean bathroom. Preparing for a film shoot is not too dissimilar from any other…

Stage 32 Presents: The Art of the Deal – Innovative Financing for Indie Filmmakers

Happy Tuesday, Creative Army! We’re keeping the momentum going this summer by continuing to bring Cannes to you, one powerhouse panel at a time. As you know, Stage 32 proudly celebrated our 10th anniversary partnering with the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival this May. Our programming featured some of the most influential and innovative minds in the business, sharing unfiltered knowledge on what it really takes to get your projects made in today’s ever-chan…

July Filmmakers Club Week 2: Strategies for Creating Cross-Cultural Films

Hello Stage 32 Community! I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Stage 32 Brand Ambassador for Poland! I’m a film producer, editor, and President of Women in Film & Television Poland, and I had the pleasure of connecting with the Stage 32 team this year at the Cannes Film Festival. My film journey began in Los Angeles, and over the years, I’ve produced internationally recognized projects that have screened at festivals from Cannes to Berlinale to Mumbai. I&rs…

Coffee & Content: Protecting Your Projects When the Industry Gets Messy

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Hope your July 4th weekend has been full of laughter, fireworks, and just enough peace to let those creative gears turn. Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got something for you today that blends entertainment, education, and a little bit of “how not to do it.” So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. This week’s featured video comes from the team at It Was A Sh*t Show, a…

Understanding the Development Process: What It Really Takes to Get a Film or Series Made

Happy Friday, Stage 32 Community! There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the word “development.” It’s one of those industry terms that gets tossed around constantly, but when you ask five different people what it means, you’ll probably get five different answers. That’s why this week, inspired by a recent conversation in the Writer’s Room Lounge, I want to pull back the curtain a bit. In honor of July Filmmakers Club, we’re getting real abo…

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