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My Move To Los Angeles: Leading A Life To The Ocean From A Pond

The biggest risk was leaving everything known for the unknown, or maybe it was the less known in my specific case. Los Angeles became my city long before I moved here. In October 2009 when I desperately needed a direction, I volunteered at a film festival (in Texas!) and met filmmakers who changed the trajectory of my life to the present (many of whom are LA transplants themselves), everything has been leading me to the city of angels. I didn’t decide to leave Texas, the state …

Coffee & Content: The Machinery of the Business

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 It Was A Sh*t Show, they’re sharing an…

How To Shoot Horror Films That Scare The Bejesus Out Of Your Audience!

In this survival guide, I'll be focusing on a checklist of things to keep in mind when shooting a horror film. It's no surprise that horror films cost less to produce and shoot. A good example is Jordan Peele’s Get Out. James Wan made his career with the SAW franchise. Horror films bring in lots of money at the box office and audiences flock to the screen to get their fright on! With that in mind, let's dive right into the belly of the beast. Costume & Make-up Design If the…

How To Successfully Navigate The Stage 32 Platform!

Happy Friday, Stage 32 Community! Joining a platform like Stage 32 can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. While we’re incredibly proud of all of the resources, events, and unique perks that we offer our members, we know that it can take time to get your footing and know where to look to find what you’re most in need of. That’s why the Stage 32 team works so hard to reach you with the information that you need and be a constant source of support. Star…

Screenwriting Software To Use If You Can't Afford Final Draft

I remember when I first dove my toes into screenwriting. I was working in retail at the time and going to school full-time. At the time, I was lucky that the software I had recently purchased for writing my novels also allowed me to format screenplays. Shortly after that, there was a project I was working on collaboratively with another writer. They introduced me to a second program because it allowed for more open collaboration. Over the years, I’ve played with different pieces …

Stage 32 Certification Welcomes Zagreb, Croatia!

Happy Wednesday, Friends! As many of you already know, Stage 32 Certification has been bringing new film commissions, institutes, colleges, streamers, and other organizations into the mix. This week we’re welcoming the Zagreb Film Office in Croatia to Stage 32 Certification! The Zagreb Film Office and Stage 32 are excited to partner to bring Certification opportunities to creative professionals in the Zagreb, Croatia area. This is their chance to get certified in multiple produc…

How To Stay on Top of Casting Directors, Agents & Producers with Google Alerts

Trying to monitor multiple things at once is challenging in your acting career: Casting directors, agents, casting calls, release dates, project greenlights, series renewals & cancellations, the list goes on and on. Even if you are an avid reader of the industry trades- Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, etc- you can miss some things that might be of interest. There have been many times when I saw a submission notice, or an opportunity, only to have missed a deadline, or know that hu…

10 Tips to Nail Your Next TV Pitch

The writer’s job is never easy, in part because it’s secretly more than one job: it’s three. You need to be a talented writer on the page, a collaborator and idea generator in the room, and a riveting salesperson in a pitch. Pitches can make or break a career – they can be the tool that opens doors or leaves your ideas gathering dust in a pile. So how do you take all the work you’ve done on your project, and present it in a way that will get someone to buy…

Coffee & Content: Dealing With The Misery Of Rejection

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, in this video essay from Just an Observation, he’s analyzing one of the best antagonist characters in cinema, Kathy Bates' Oscar-winning performance as Annie Wilkes in Misery. As he points out, Kathy Bates delivers an unhinged performance filled with contrasting parts of Annie Wilke…

11 Types of Horror Scripts to Scare Up This Halloween

Horror is debatably one of if not the most misunderstood genres in film and television. Outside of "beloved" intellectual properties, it arguably has one of the most hardcore, savvy, and devoted audiences, but… what quantifies a proper Horror film? Tropes? Jump scares? Demonic creatures? Monsters? A psycho with a machete? How about all of the above? Let's dive in and break down a few subgenres highlighting the best and most diverse stories that will leave your minds twisted and yo…

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 …

Stage 32 Presents: The 11th Annual Austin Film Festival Rooftop Bash!

Hey, Stage 32 Community! We're just two weeks away from the start of the 2024 Austin Film Festival! And I'm THRILLED to announce that the bash is BACK! Stage 32 is back at the Austin Film Festival - and to celebrate - you're invited to the 11th Annual Austin Film Festival Rooftop Bash on Friday, October 25th, starting at 8:00 pm. This year's event will take place back on the exclusive rooftop bar of the Speakeasy, which overlooks the Warehouse District and beautiful Downtown Austin!…

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