Hi everyone,
I'm Brandon Gates, a freelance journalist and budding screenwriter and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY.
I've been a lurker on Stage 32 for a few years and decided it's high time I dive into the networking pool.
I cut my comedy teeth at UCB, writing mostly comedy but also dabbling in dramatic pilots and short films. Last year, my comedy short “Podcast Bros” made a splash at two film festivals and snagged a few awards. I directed, starred in, and co-wrote it.
Right now, I’m eager to launch two projects: a comedy podcast series about roommates during the pandemic and a dramatic short film about a news reporter returning to his small southern hometown. Both have won numerous screenwriting awards, but I’ve yet to crack the code on mentorship programs or contests that fund production.
Being somewhat new to this world, I'd love to chat with folks about fundraising and turning scripts into screen realities instead of just staring at them.
Thanks for reading, and hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
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Hey, Brandon Gates. Great to meet you. I can tell from your picture and your intro you're into Comedy. Congratulations on “Podcast Bros” making a splash at two film festivals and winning awards! And congratulations your dramatic short film winning awards!
Someone in the Filmmaking/Directing Lounge might have some advice on mentorship programs and contests that fund production (www.stage32.com/lounge/directing).
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Welcome Brandon Gates Congrats on your script writing successes. You'll certainly find knowledgeable people who can help point you in the right direction. You may also find the producer lounge helpful as well. (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing)
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Nice to meet you Maurice Vaughan. I love comedy, so yes. Even my profile picture is going to reflect it. Ha. Thanks for the advice!
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You're welcome, Brandon Gates. Is "Podcast Bros" online?
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You]re in the right spot mate and welcome to Stage32!
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Thanks for the welcome Daniel Husbands! I'll check out the producer lounge!
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Maurice Vaughan, it sure is! bit.ly/podcastbro
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Thank you Pat Savage!
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Brandon Gates you are most welcome! Happy networking!
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Brandon Gates Hi Brandon, it’s great to hear you are an ex-lurker. Keep us posted on your projects, please.
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Hi Brandon Gates - I've been at this 3 years while others here have a lot more experience and nuance to share with you. But in the beginning, I received some advice I'll never forget about writing a first draft: Write as if no one else is ever gonna read it :-)
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Thanks, Brandon Gates. I'll check out "Podcast Bros."
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“Podcast Bros” is hilarious, Brandon Gates!
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Good for you for diving in Brandon Gates! That first plunge is all it takes to get started! I used to love going to see UCB shows when i lived in the Hollywood area. What a great jumping off point for what you're doing now!
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Hi Brandon Gates! Nice to meet you! How excellent a choice you made to participate in Introduce Yourself Weekend on Stage 32! It's difficult to see YOU in the BACKGROUND! Follow that writing calling you have, there's a strong reason why the creative muses speak to you. I am now going to check out Podcast Bros. The effort you've put into your existing projects shows your dedication. There are A TON of great blogs and webinars here on Stage 32 about raising funding and not only seizing pitching and consultation opportunities, but how to notice them and seek them out. Good luck!
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Glad you enjoyed it Maurice Vaughan!
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Thank you for that Matthew Kelcourse!
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Nick Phillips, yes! UCB is special. I was sad they went away during the pandemic but they are back in NYC, trying to rebuild.
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Nice to meet you John Mezes! Thanks for the advice!
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Nice to meet you.
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@Brandon Congratulations on your comedy film "Podcast Bros" & all the awards it won. The up coming podcast on room mates during the pandemic sounds cool. Instead of waiting for production funding are you pitching the idea in the meantime? EG One sketch from the whole script with a publicity reel? I know some writers now who do novelette, script and audio/visuals in small chunks as a promotion to attract the eyes of investors. Need not be that expensive, more a social media strategy.
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Hey! Nice to meet you. I was actually an acting extra once for UCB comedy myself! Your projects sound awesome. Here’s the link to my free filmmaking guide, free creativity podcast, 50-page free Adobe Creative Cloud eBook, and free filmmaking tutorial videos on video editing, photoshop and more. So basically these materials are all about turning scripts into realities. I hope they help :) http://eepurl.com/iuGSUY