Producing

Congrats on your film! I think you have an opportunity to look at tax incentives available from Western countries and also Eastern countries (or states in the US) to get more money on your projected budget. If you decide to film some in a native Eastern language with subtitles you also have an opportunity for global streaming release. we have a good webinar on this: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/navigating-todays-distribution-landscape-to-successfully-release-your-film

Nasir Lone this seems like a very interesting, thought provoking piece of work. Best of luck with it!

That is a great chapter Sandra. So exciting for you.

Hey, Sandra Isabel Correia. I think vertical recuts are a smart way to meet audiences where they are. I prefer watching original vertical shorts though.

Totally agree, Maurice Vaughan, original vertical shorts hit differently. And honestly, this feels like a whole new field of opportunities for producers and screenwriters, in my opinion.

Sandra Isabel Correia I think the verbiage is important. "AI" and "Vertical" are considered ephemerals. Verticals always have been that, and AI in the context of general audience and retail market is considered something for the masses. The stuff going on with AI behind the scenes in places like ILM, Nvidia and Aerith are already far ahead of what people are able to do on Sora or Kling... So I believe that Disney's intention is to use this as marketing and traffic generators to their long form titles, which is exactly what verticals are proven to do.

thx for this share Sandra Isabel Correia :) yeah, it sounds like a primary goal is using the vertical feed for getting eyes on other stuff. So I think Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg makes that point well. 'meeting audiences where they are' is one of those ever spreading definitions, depending on what media and advertisers can and are allowed to do - I'm sure they'd love to put up billboards in our bathrooms, if we would just let them ;) ...oh wait, I forgot most of us already do carry our little rectangular billboard into the bathroom.

and I agree 100% Sandra Isabel Correia - everything is an opportunity. and probably the best way to address all new development is by engaging and guiding - more aikido, less boxing - at least, then, we can exert some influence over the outcome.

I'm trying to gather the overwhelming opportunities Sandra Isabel Correia! For me I've been preparing by anticipations, particularly with the significant leap in tech software and eventually AI!

The masses are equipped readily with smartphones and IPhones, making it distinctively obvious for some time the direction intended, major corporations were heading.

2026 is carded for major pivotal concepts in many fields and diversities! With preparedness and visualizing therefore, I'm ready with the optimisms for the journey ahead !

The comments are great!

Unique concept, Oanh Bui!

Thank you, Maurice Vaughan, appreciate you taking a look. I’m still in an exploratory phase with this world, but it’s been interesting to hear how different producers respond to projects that start from internal logic rather than plot-first development.

You're welcome, Oanh Bui. I can't wait to watch it!

They will look, sniff, and think it's a very good idea, which it is. The best thing you can do is go write the script. Ideas don't have any value, but a script has 100x the value. Break a leg!

Lindbergh E Hollingsworth Thanks! I agree execution is where value really shows, and I’m actively working on that.

At this stage, I’m intentionally open to development-level collaboration before fully locking the script. Appreciate you sharing your perspective.

Oanh Bui Well you're talking about a series here. So from my perspective, it does have to be strongly structured and envisioned from the beginning, or it cannot be produced easily. However, that structure will have to be subject to change as the series is developed and shot. You don't know what happens in production, as audience responds, and as network/distributor thinks as things evnolee, and the network/distributor want their say as well. If you have produced all the scripts, you've likely wasted your time. You need the first one to three and a series bible. This shows structure and keeps it flexible.

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg Thank you for sharing this!

I really agree with the need for early structure, as long as it is strong enough to hold the core while still allowing the work to adapt once production realities come into play. That is also why I am keen to learn from producers at this stage, to help pressure test the framework and understand how it can realistically evolve.

Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Charge $500 dollars or more if someone wants to read your stories

Ashley Renee Smith Honestly, greenlight power to the audience is an amateur game. No professional filmmaker would ever let this process dictate whether they made a movie or not. They don't care what anyone else thinks of an idea - its not the film and only amateurs and wannabes need this kind of validation. Angel studios, IMO is been working hard to claim a specific religious community as their real estate in the film market. It's very smart business for them, but it is business. By creating this paradigm, they have effectively become the major studio of so-called faith based film. Don't be fooled though. The community vote helps them control competition and find workable ideas they can use themselves, while providing a base to promote their own projects in advance. If that sounds too cynical to anyone, then people should get familiar with how festivals and competitions actually work, and who for.

Cannes Immersive XR Competition Applications now open.

Hi, Lucas Donnat. Welcome to the community. Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Executives, producers, writers, actors, and more. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

Stage 32 had a Community Open House last Monday. The recording is up now. It'll also help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros. www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-december-community-open-ho...

Congratulations on making your first short film! I'm looking forward to checking it out!

Hi, thanks a lot !

You're welcome, Lucas Donnat. I just watched My Muse. Incredible job on it! Unique concept! The film is shot really well! I like the opening shot! I don't think I've seen that shot in a movie before. It's not easy telling a story without dialogue, but you pulled it off.

Great work @marksimmons With that package of talent and distribution LOI you should be in good shape to attract investors. I wouldn't spend or waste time raising $30k for a concept video. Use those funds for development expenses. How is your budget, finance plan, pitch deck? Contact me for advice, help on these as I have 30 years creating those for myself and my clients of www.filmbudget.com - good luck!

Mark Simmons The only thing you need to show real film investors or a real producer is the logline and script. Anything else is irrelevant and a waste of time, regardless of what anyone who isn't putting their own their money into your project tells you. Faith based films have an obvious constituency - consider getting churches involved in a crowd fund for the film, or at least an actual short version of it (which can be shown at festivals, churches etc as its own thing, instead of a mere POC). If you want to do "faith based" you also have some minefields to navigate. "Faith based" usually means catering to a specifically North American Protestant evangelical audience, so both writing and marketing has to be done with due consideration of the biases of that market (ie. with respect to mainstream denominations, etc.). Some good films which focus on other denominations or use articulates symbols as in other denominations have tanked in the market specifically because of that bias. Angel Studios holds the lead in faith based distribution, so look there to see if there might be funding or producing interest. My understanding is that as far as funding for most films they operate pretty much like every other distributor, ie. they want your product completed and given to them with no advance (there are exceptions for high profile films). However, they also have groomed a large and connected community user base so there may be good crowdfund potential there.

Thank you all for your advice, I have been in contact with Angle studios, they require a POC in their application process so members can vote on if the project should be funded. I also talked to some film festival organizers and they suggested that you have a POC to show to people attending.

I am also willing to share my script with anyone who’s interested in reading it.

Wounded Pride, th Prodigal Son as a western

LOGLINE

“A young Montana rancher, Joseph, blames his father, Montana and their ranch for his mother’s sickness. Joseph tries to convince his family to move to Denver where he feels his mother will get better treatment, the family refuses to move as they love Montana and the ranch they have built, Joseph demands his inheritance so he can move away, he is given what he feels he is owed and leaves only to fall in with a blood thirst gang that will kill him and his family if he runs.”

I’m not only faith based but also family friendly. I worked in Hollywood for 15 years and got tired of films that used gay relationship and showed men and women kissing, I also got tired of the over use of sexual activity between men and women. I believe people’s imagination is a much more successful tool in that respect then actually showing that activity.

I’m a Christian and feel that you can have a great film with less sexual activity, swearing, when it’s over used ashen not called for or need in the scene, and other woke activities.

I want to show people, without hitting them over the head, about Gods loving grace, and his forgiveness. My films are meant to give all people a look at a world where we forgive each other, love each other, though we hate the sin. My films are meant just to get people to think and ask questions about God and his word.

Always good to have a short that makes the producers come to you and ask about your feature version especially if 1-5 minutes gets you an award. Another route is try a crowdfunding approach towards churches and or faith based groups you can approach or pitch. Pray all goes well!!

Thank you!

Dave Cj What are your answers to promotion?

Having a creative marketing campaign can help, Dave Cj. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money, like a social media game that ties into the movie. Maybe give the people who win movie tickets, digital copies of the script, etc.

Hey :) I recently discussed this topic with a director client of mine. He wasn't sure whether having a poster was important to promote his short film, and whether the image gpt created would be enough. When I explained the various critical issues and saw my work, he understood the value of a critical eye in promoting a videographer's work. It doesn't take much, but for now, it's important to enhance your film with something that highlights its uniqueness, not something banal and obvious like so many others.

To write this answer I relied on the online translator since ENG it is not my first language, I apologize for any typing/mistakes :)

Ugo Cavallo For sure the poster works. My short played and I just copy and pasted images together on different platforms and titled the poster. I think I gave the poster to a few people/actors that showed up. So, have those stills from the film always ready.

Ron Reid Hi Ron, thanks for the mention. Look, the question I'd ask is, "What do YOU ​​mean when you say it works?" At an amateur level, sure, any image works, but to get an effective product, you need to rely on a professional, not just any free-to-use site, IMHO. Then, I always tell my clients, you're free to use whatever tools you want, but in the end, you'll find yourself at the same starting point and you'll need someone who knows how to make the poster for you. - since ENG is not my language, I used translator to write down this answer sooooo, forgive if may errors/or typing mimstakes appears... ^^

That means a great deal to hear—thank you, Hermina Orcsik . You articulated something I’ve been circling around: the idea that awareness itself can be the resolution. I’m drawn to stories where the shift is internal rather than external, where nothing “wins” but something is finally seen clearly. Those moments tend to stay with me longer than neat endings.

Thank you, Meriem Bouziani . I’m glad the world itself came through for you. I’ve tried to let the concept shape the environment rather than explain it—so the repetition, the atmosphere, and the emotional echoes do as much storytelling as the plot.

That’s so good. I wish you good luck on your journey. Nasir Lone

Nasir Lone I completely agree. I believe real change begins within a character’s inner world, and only then becomes visible on the outside.

When that inner shift is felt, it naturally reaches the audience as well—and in some cases, even inspires them.

Liking this poster!!!

For sure the UK, Germany, Turkey and Spain are among some of the countries to be in for productions.