THE STAGE 32 BLOG Subscribe

Welcome to the Stage 32 Blog. Browse the archive, browse by tags, or search to get started...

The Importance of Professionalism for Your Career

"I’m the guy that does his job. You must be the other guy.” – Mark Wahlberg playing Dignam is The Departed. When I expressed interest in writing another blog here on Stage 32, there was one topic I had been looking to address for a while, but also one that is quite timely in light of what’s going on in the entertainment business: Professionalism. It’s the reason I led with Mr. Wahlberg’s quote from the Oscar-Winning Best Picture, The Departed. I&rs…

The Benefits of Local Film Festivals

A client recently asked me about the value of submitting a short film to a local film festival. After my recent romp at the 20th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival here in Los Angeles, I had to dish on the deets! My not-so-short answer was the stuff of epic emails, and so, I figured best to expand on it as a blog! In fact, it's particularly timely because my epic proof-of-concept short film, "Sanctuary" (Instagram: @SanctuarytheShortFilm ) just announced its premiere at the 9th Annual Sili…

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 …

Stage 32 Success Story: Go…And Make Your Own Magic!

That’s a wrap! How can such a short sentence carry so much significance? With these words, we concluded eight intense days of filming for my short film, The Fat Lady - She Just Wanted to Be Called by Her Name on a sunny Sunday, August 4th. Now, as we enter the post-production phase, I’m focusing on the next steps, including submitting the film to festivals worldwide. Throughout this journey, a few people in the industry have told me how bold and ambitious this project is&m…

5 Screenwriting Reminders I Got From... a Hip-Hop Diss Track?

At the time of this writing, the diss track 'Not Like Us' performed by hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar, is still chillin' (with arms folded) at the top of the charts. Since its debut weeks ago, the song has been streamed over 120 million times on Spotify alone. So, unless you've been living under a rock or completely detached from the genre, it is nearly impossible to escape the four-and-a-half-minute triumph. From quirky renditions by social media influencers and celebrities to old whit…

Exploring VR, AR, & XR Storytelling!

Immersive has been a new buzzword on the last recent years. Its applications surely come in many forms, but in this article, I will focus on digital immersive experiences, since physical immersive is a whole different subject. There is no question that a lot of the public space has been equipped with some type of screens, and 5G internet has been the catalyst to change how we interact with digital content, at least in certain countries where it’s a reality. But to clearly communi…

How NOT To Mess Up Auditions When You Have an Accent

Have you heard the story about the girl who lived in a very small town across America and had dreams so big that she decided to pack her bags and move to the Big Apple to build a career as a working actress, just like the other thousands of people who make the same decision every year? Yeah, you got it. I am "that" girl. Except I didn't move from another state. I moved all the way from Turkey, Istanbul, and was undoubtedly determined to make it as a foreign actress. Living in New Yo…

How To Launch A Podcast!

Podcasts are a unique way to communicate with a desired group of listeners in an episodic format. Podcasts are designed to appeal to a niche audience; therefore you have the opportunity to zero in on exactly who you want to talk to and what your topics should be. You’re straight-up targeting people. You never know… Your thoughts and opinions could very well resonate with a horde of like-minded folks and maybe even sway some of those that have different opinions than what yo…

Understanding Collection Account Management for Animation

Animation is one of the few genres that has continued since the 2020 pandemic in a relatively unharmed way. The fact that animation can to a large extent be produced entirely remotely, put it in the spotlight of the film and television production community when the world came to a halt during the first months of the pandemic. The ability to produce animation remotely, in combination with the availability of cross-border high-quality animation and talent, production incentives, and lower…

Merrily All The Way: We Roll From Stage 32 Consultation Call To Active Development- The Screenwriter's Story

This Writer's Success Story is about being in the Right Place at the Right Time with the Right Screenplay. And it’s all thanks to STAGE 32’s Pitch Consultation with Producer Kristen Lucas on the “Written Pitch” for my out-of-the-box Holiday RomCom, MERRILY ALL THE WAY.MERRILY ALL THE WAY, (now in Pre-Production), never would’ve found its perfect home with Producers Kristen Lucas, Jim Langlois, and Tim Misenheimer of Collab Content Entertainment, or the most …

Unlocking the Secrets of Film Grants: The Ultimate Guide Every Filmmaker Needs!

Something I observe frequently is how often overlooked soft equity is in the finance plan. Counterintuitive, right? Why counterintuitive? In understanding film finance as a filmmaker and a producer, it can be explained relatively easily as this; soft equity is anything that doesn’t carry an obligation to be repaid or have the expectation of a recoupment attached. Hence I both preach and practice to seek out as many sources of soft financing as possible. Outside of tax credits o…

register for stage 32 Register / Log In