Filmmaking / Directing

Screenwriter, Other

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

FREE Awards Season Script Giveaway! 55 scripts!

Stage 32 is giving away scripts to all of this year's Awards nominated movies for you to read and study! The Oscars, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and BAFTAs. Get the scripts here: https://mailchi.mp/stage32/oscarscripts

Mike Boas

Works at Mad Dog Movies ♦ Animator, Editor, Screenwriter

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

Performing as a monster

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at our team getting some close-ups of the werewolf for the upcoming film Frenzy Moon. Shots are coming out great!

https://vimeo.com/1058825168?share=copy

Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Billy Kwack
2 months ago

The werewolf head looks great, Mike Boas! What program would you recommend for removing people and things in the background?

Mike Boas

2
2 people like this
- Billy Kwack
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

The program I recommend is a black wall and curtains :)

John’s camera is not seeing everything the BTS camera is picking up.

Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Billy Kwack
2 months ago

I like that program, Mike Boas! Do it in production so you don't have to do it in post.

Maurice Vaughan

Screenwriter, Other

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

5 Ways Military Service Can Prepare You For Hollywood

In today's blog, Tracy Thompson (a Veteran Army officer, screenwriter, producer, and director) shares the top 5 ways military service prepares you for a career in film and TV. www.stage32.com/blog/5-ways-military-service-can-prepare-you-for-hollywo......

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Joey Wojcik

Works at The Kitty Cat-Fé ♦ Director, Editor, Producer, Screenwriter

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

Dusting Off Possibly Humorous/Inspiring BtS

Hello!

I'm in the process of making a proof-of-concept and also filming some behind-the-scenes content for the project.

In searching for ideas on how to format the BtS, I dusted off this short document my wife interviewed me for when sending an old short film we had made to festivals.

Ultimately, we n...

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Joey Wojcik

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

If for any reason the uploaded link does not load, here is a direct link: https://vimeo.com/442560514/1113297be0

Maurice Vaughan

2
2 people like this
- Howard Koor
- Joey Wojcik
2 months ago

Great interview, Joey Wojcik! You're right. Poor audio in a movie takes viewers out of the experience. I've heard from filmmakers over the years who said audio wasn't a big concern during filming, but...

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Joey Wojcik

2
2 people like this
- Howard Koor
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it, Maurice Vaughan! Clear and consistent audio quality should be an extremely high priority in every project.

Maurice Vaughan

2
2 people like this
- Howard Koor
- Joey Wojcik
2 months ago

You said you wanted to make something gripping and compelling that needed little to no resources, Joey Wojcik. I think that's the way to go when starting off as a filmmaker. They could start with one...

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Maurice Vaughan

Screenwriter, Other

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

3 months ago

TOMORROW – Ask Me Anything with Ayanna Anene

Ayanna Anene will be hosting an exclusive AMA in the Writers’ Room Lounge on Valentine’s Day, answering questions about “Writing A Strong Rom-Com For Today’s Audience”! Questions like:

How to balance being vulnerable and writing fresh, original scripts while sticking to the tropes of romantic comedy...

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Amirali Hafezifar

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Where is zack snyder??

Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Ashley Renee Smith
3 months ago

Hi, Amirali Hafezifar. That was a fake Zack Snyder account. Stage 32 removed it.

Amirali Hafezifar

2 months ago

he texted me "message me".

Sam Sokolow

Producer

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

Amazon takes control of James Bond

In a huge story today, Amazon shelled out another $1B to take total control of the James Bond franchise. RB was posting about this 2 weeks ago - the franchise was in a log jam - and now Amazon is at the controls. What do you think this means for the 007 franchise? https://deadline.com/2025/02/james-...

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Amazon MGM Studios Shelled Out An Extra $1 Billion-Plus To Take Control Of James Bond: What's Next For The Franchise

https://deadline.com/2025/02/james-bond-amazon-mgm-studios-deal-1236296104/

It's taking around $1 billion to have James Bond stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson cede oversight to Amazon MGM Studios, sources say.

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Reggie Cook

1
1 person likes this
- Sam Sokolow
2 months ago

Not excited about it. leave well enough alone.

Willem Elzenga

3
3 people like this
2 months ago

A clear example of the film business not moving forward in a good way. This includes paying 1 billion dollar for the Bond franchise - highly overrated.

Bradford Richardson

2
2 people like this
- Sam Sokolow
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Barbara's and Michael's ongoing involvement will ensure Amazon-MGM protects the iconic franchise rather than exploit it. Maybe now, the Young James Bond prequel I wrote: NO TURNING BACK, has a chance of being considered.

Richard "RB" Botto

3
3 people like this
2 months ago

Looks like they dangled another $1B in front of Broccoli and Wilson to relinquish control.

Mark Deuce

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Did you all know that James Bond is in the Public Domain? If you produce the film in Canada: Amazon/MGM cannot stop ya and in a couple of years it will be all countries...

Brittany H

Screenwriter, Author, Agent, Publisher

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

Suggestions for educational film books?

Hello Stage 32 community!

Thought it would be nice to start a little thread for people to share their favourite film books to help further our education in all areas of film (screenwriting, acting, directing etc)

Here are a couple of my suggestions, but I’m eager to pick up more :)

Save the cat! Writes...

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Maurice Vaughan

3
3 people like this
2 months ago

Hi, Brittany H. Great idea! One of my favorite screenwriting books is "Turn & Burn: The Scriptwriter's Guide to Writing Better Screenplays Faster Book" by CJ Walley. https://cjwalley.com/turn-burn-scr...

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Sam Sokolow

3
3 people like this
2 months ago

I love Sydney Lumet's MAKING MOVIES. I'm a huge fan of his films so I was engrossed with his descriptions of the process.

Ashley Renee Smith

Head of Community at Stage 32 ♦ Creative Executive, Script Consultant, Producer

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

Don’t Miss This Week’s Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up!

Join Stage 32’s Head of Community, Ashley Smith, and Community Manager/Writer’s Room Producer, Kay Ross, for another exciting Community Wrap-Up this Friday at 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET LIVE on Instagram!

We’ll be diving into all the latest industry insights, upcoming Stage 32 events and education, val...

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Ashley Renee Smith

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Anyone who missed it live can check out the full conversation HERE: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGWNgkxSL7D/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&......

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Maurice Vaughan

Screenwriter, Other

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up Today on IG

Join us LIVE on Instagram at 10:00 A.M. PST/1:00 P.M. EST! We’ll be covering all the latest happenings on Stage 32, including:

Make sure you’re following the @stage32 and @stage32s...

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Maurice Vaughan

2 months ago

If you missed the Community Wrap-Up or you want to watch it again, here's the link: www.instagram.com/reel/DGWNgkxSL7D

Chizurum Chidimma Enyinnaya

Screenwriter, Songwriter, Author, Publisher

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

The Director’s Vision: Balancing Creativity and Commercial Success in Filmmaking

Filmmaking is both an art and a business. While directors aim to bring their creative visions to life, they also face the challenge of making films that appeal to audiences and generate revenue. Striking a balance between creativity and commercial success is crucial in the modern film industry.

1. Th...

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1. The Director’s Role in Shaping a Film’s Vision

A director is the creative force behind a film. They oversee the storytelling, cinematography, performances, and overall aesthetic. Some directors, like Quentin Tarantino or Christopher Nolan, are known for their unique styles, while others adapt their approach based on the project’s commercial viability.

However, a director’s vision is often shaped by various external factors, including:

Producers and Studio Influence – Studios invest in films expecting a return. Directors sometimes have to adjust their storytelling to align with studio goals.

Market Trends – Audiences’ preferences change over time, influencing what kinds of stories get greenlit.

Budget Constraints – Financial limitations can dictate location choices, special effects, and casting.

2. The Challenges of Maintaining Creative Integrity

Many directors struggle with preserving their artistic vision while making films that appeal to mainstream audiences. Some common challenges include:

Compromising on Script and Storyline – Studios may demand rewrites to fit a formula that guarantees box office success.

Casting Choices – Big-budget films often cast well-known actors for commercial appeal rather than artistic suitability.

Censorship and Ratings – To reach wider audiences, directors may have to tone down themes or violence to fit PG-13 or other rating requirements.

Directors like Ridley Scott (Blade Runner) and Denis Villeneuve (Dune) have faced pushback from studios but remained committed to their creative visions, even if it meant limited initial success.

3. Case Studies: Directors Who Balance Art and Profitability

Some directors have mastered the art of making commercially successful films while maintaining their unique storytelling approach:

Christopher Nolan – Known for high-concept films (Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy), he blends intellectual storytelling with blockbuster appeal.

James Cameron – Balances technical innovation with emotional storytelling (Titanic, Avatar), leading to massive box office success.

Greta Gerwig – Moved from indie films (Lady Bird) to major studio hits like Barbie, proving that strong storytelling can be both artistic and commercially viable.

4. The Impact of Streaming Platforms on Directorial Freedom

The rise of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV+ has given directors more creative freedom. Platforms are willing to take risks on unconventional stories, as they rely on subscriptions rather than box office revenue. However, challenges remain:

Shorter Attention Spans – Directors must adapt to viewers’ binge-watching habits.

Algorithm-Driven Decisions – Streaming platforms use data to predict what works, sometimes limiting unique storytelling.

Budget Differences – While some streaming films get big budgets, others have constraints compared to theatrical releases.

Conclusion

Balancing creativity and commercial success is an ongoing struggle for filmmakers. While some directors prioritize artistic integrity, others embrace the commercial side of filmmaking. The best filmmakers find ways to merge both, creating films that are visually and narratively compelling while also attracting audiences worldwide.

What do you think? Should directors prioritize artistic vision or commercial appeal?

Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Sam Sokolow
2 months ago

Great post, Chizurum Chidimma Enyinnaya! You're right. Balancing creativity and commercial success is an ongoing struggle for filmmakers, and the best filmmakers find ways to merge both. Filmmakers ha...

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Lindbergh E Hollingsworth

2
2 people like this
- Sam Sokolow
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

James Cameron once said his commercial success was more important than his critical success. If your movies don't make money, you won't be making movies, and you won't have any money.

Sam Sokolow

2
2 people like this
- Lindbergh E Hollingsworth
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Artistic vision and commercial appeal both have to be in the recipe IMO. As they say, there's a reason the word "business" is twice as long as the word "show". It is a business and must be treated as...

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Maurice Vaughan

Screenwriter, Other

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

TODAY’S BLOG – Watch Who You Call Ugly: The Power of Building in Public

“Too many creators spend years perfecting their work in silence, only to release it and wonder why no one is paying attention. The problem isn’t the quality of the work, it’s that people weren’t invited into the process.” — Samuel Chambers

www.stage32.com/blog/watch-who-you-call-ugly-the-power-of-bui...

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Maurice Vaughan

Screenwriter, Other

posted in Filmmaking / Directing Sign in to subscribe

2 months ago

TODAY! – Writers’ Room AMA

Karen “Kay” Ross (Community Manager and Writers’ Room Producer on Stage 32, Screenwriter, and Producer) is having an exclusive AMA in the Writers’ Room Lounge, answering questions all day about “Juggling Writer & Producer Responsibilities: Learning How To Delegate!”

Link to AMA: www.stage32.com/lou...

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Filmmaking / Directing

FREE Awards Season Script Giveaway! 55 scripts!

Performing as a monster

1 person likes this

2 people like this

1 person likes this

5 Ways Military Service Can Prepare You For Hollywood

Dusting Off Possibly Humorous/Inspiring BtS

1 person likes this

2 people like this

2 people like this

2 people like this

TOMORROW – Ask Me Anything with Ayanna Anene

1 person likes this

1 person likes this

Amazon takes control of James Bond

Amazon MGM Studios Shelled Out An Extra $1 Billion-Plus To Take Control Of James Bond: What's Next For The Franchise

1 person likes this

3 people like this

2 people like this

3 people like this

1 person likes this

Suggestions for educational film books?

3 people like this

3 people like this

Don’t Miss This Week’s Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up!

1 person likes this

Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up Today on IG

The Director’s Vision: Balancing Creativity and Commercial Success in Filmmaking

1 person likes this

2 people like this

2 people like this

TODAY’S BLOG – Watch Who You Call Ugly: The Power of Building in Public

TODAY! – Writers’ Room AMA

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CRAFT AND BUSINESS

GENERAL DISCUSSION

PROMOTION

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Top Contributors

CRAFT AND BUSINESS

GENERAL DISCUSSION

PROMOTION