Filmmaking / Directing

The place to discuss, share content and offer advice and tips on all things filmmaking and the craft of directing. From pre-production to on set practices to navigating the industry and beyond, this is your forum

Pat Alexander
‘Sing Sing’ Director Greg Kwedar on Making Art in Prison and Waves in Hollywood

The Austin-based filmmaker discusses his Colman Domingo–led movie’s long road to the red carpet.

(https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/director-greg-kwedar-on-...)...

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An essay on why SILENCE OF THE LAMBS won Five Oscars

The "awards season" is upon us for better or worse, and soon we'll have the Academy Awards and all that means for better or worse. I actually look forward to watching them and, alas, this year I'll have to miss them like I did last year. But anyway...

Only three movies have won all five of the "Big F...

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Maurice Vaughan

Great video for filmmakers, screenwriters, actors, etc. to watch and study, Tucker Teague!

I think a Horror movie has to be more than a Horror movie to be nominated for an Oscar and win. The movie need...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Awards season always sparks some great discussions, and I love looking back at the films that have won the "Big Five." It’s fascinating that only three films have pulled it off, especially considering...

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Sam Sokolow

Ashley Renee Smith - when you look at the last 20 years of Best Picture winners so few have the balance required for Best Actor and Best Actress together, much less the other awards. MOONLIGHT and GRE...

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Pamela Jaye Smith

Smart and relevant comments, Tucker and the rest of you, about a genre that generally does not get awards recognition. // As a jokey aside: you know those robo-calls you get where there's no one on th...

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Maurice Vaughan

Pamela Jaye Smith "The Silence of the Spams" Haha

Maurice Vaughan
THIS WEDNESDAY – AMA with Brian Herskowitz

Brian Herskowitz, Film & Television Writer & Producer (Before Someone Gets Hurt, Bucky and the Squirrels), will be having a free Ask Me Anything event in the Screenwriting Lounge on February 5th, focused on “Breaking Your Story with Treatments, Synopsis, Beat Sheets, and Outlines”!

Brian will be answ...

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Maurice Vaughan
Set Safety

What safety rules do you, the crew, and the cast follow on your set? And guests if you allow guests on set.

Mike Childress

I thought there would be a big push for SPFX firearms after Brandon Lee's death! I guess VFX then were not quite up to the level they are today. Isn't it the John Wick director who never uses real firearms on-set?

Sam Sokolow

Firearms are obviously a huge topic and in the midst of an evolution. Adding flares and blood in post is the safest route and becoming the norm, but not the absolute. Some filmmakers still like bkanks...

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Mark A. Nedorostek

Safety first! The only dumb question is the one not asked.

Maurice Vaughan

It's great to hear you and your team take so many safety precautions, Sam Sokolow. Safety should be the #1 concern on every set. Did you hire security guards?

Maurice Vaughan
Embracing Your Strengths To Tell Your Story

In today’s blog, Samuel Chambers shares how he’s leveraging his strengths, building a team, and starting his journey in animation. He also talks about how he continues to build confidence and navigate the filmmaking industry as a first-time storyteller.

www.stage32.com/blog/embracing-your-strengths-t...

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Sam Sokolow

This is an excellent and grounded blog with actionable steps and terrific advice for filmmakers. Great share, Maurice Vaughan!

Maurice Vaughan
Coffee & Content: Finding the Heart of Your Story

Stage 32’s founder and CEO, Richard “RB” Botto, shares two videos in today’s blog.

In the first video, Erin Foster shares how her own experience converting to Judaism led to the inspiration for her new Netflix romantic comedy series, Nobody Wants This.

In the second video, RB breaks down why female...

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Deadline's Sundance movie reviews

Our CEO and leader, RB, is at Sundance and I hope that other Stage 32 members are there as well. I didn't make it this year and for anyone else wondering about the films being screened, here is Deadline's list of reviews of the Sundance films that are screening. Are there any films here that you're...

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Sundance Film Festival 2025: All Of Deadline's Movie Reviews
Sundance Film Festival 2025: All Of Deadline's Movie Reviews
A compilation of all of Deadline's movie reviews from the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Maurice Vaughan

I'm excited to see these films, Sam Sokolow:

Bubble & Squeak (the article says, "It’s a very Sundance kind of funny that goes all in on a very bizarre premise," and I'm sold)

Bunnylovr

The Legend of Ochi...

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Mirza Uzair

"Hello Sir!

I'm Mirza, a new writer with a passion for horror and action movies. I'm currently working on my first script "Valley of Death", a horror movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I...

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Maurice Vaughan
FREE Awards Season Script Giveaway!

Stage 32 is giving away scripts to this year's Awards nominated movies for you to read and study! 55 scripts! The Oscars, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and BAFTAs.

Reading screenplays is one of the most effective ways to sharpen storytelling skills, uncover industry secrets, and gain insights from the b...

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Awards Season 2025: Awards-Nominated Scripts
Awards Season 2025: Awards-Nominated Scripts
Hollywood "Awards Season" is one of the most exciting times of the year! The world's best actors and filmmakers step out in their finest fines to strut the red carpet amid the flashing lights and ador…
Maurice Vaughan
Filmmaking Books

I wanted to put together a list of books for new filmmakers and filmmakers who want to learn more about filmmaking. What are some of the most helpful filmmaking books you’ve read? And that’s a cool bookshelf, right?

Mike Boas

The Roadracers book is out of print, but you can get the epub or mobi file here:

https://archive.org/details/roadracers-the-making-of-a-degenerate-h-robert-rodriguez...

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Maurice Vaughan

This is great, Mike Boas! Thanks for the book recs. I like the idea of reading all the early drafts of a movie and taking notes. Thanks for the idea.

Maurice Vaughan

Thank you for the book recs, Debra Holland.

Emma Louise Smith

Hi Maurice! Great question, I like the look of this library section you're shaping! I was recommended a book a while ago that I bought and have found to be a great resource for basics through to pieci...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Emma Louise Smith. Thanks for adding the book to the list. It sounds helpful.

Sydney S
Learn from an accomplished director who's worked for Hulu, FX, Comedy Central, and more!

In this four session class, Heath will walk you through every step of directing a film or television episode, and delve into the skills and techniques you need to know to successfully helm your own project.

In session one, he will go over the overall role of the director, how to develop your own vi...

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Maurice Vaughan
Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up Today

Join us LIVE on Instagram at 10:00 A.M. PST/1:00 P.M. EST!

We'll be covering all the amazing things happening right here on Stage 32 – from upcoming events and education to valuable resources, blog highlights, and more. Plus, it’s your chance to ask questions live and get insider tips to make the m...

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Maurice Vaughan

We talked about a lot at the Community Wrap-Up today! If you missed the Wrap-Up or you want to watch it again, here's the link: www.instagram.com/stage32scripts/reel/DFgMVK9zNXp/...

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Sydney S

How fun!

Maurice Vaughan

It was fun, Sydney S! The Community Wrap-Ups always are. And helpful!

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