Producing

The place for all producers to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on raising funds, setting a budget, on set strategies and all other topics related to producing a film, television or theater project

Maurice Vaughan
Pre-production Process

What’s your pre-production process? Do you gather your team, get financing, buy the script (or maybe find a location and build a script around it), then tackle the other things? Do you buy a script first, gather your team, look for financing, and so on?

Philip David Lee

Mike Boas It creates less headaches. Arguing with writers can be depleting. After heated talks with myself, I'm exhausted. I wish I would just shut up and listen to myself once in awhile....

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John L Bryant

from Democratic republic of Congo, looking forward to having a production

Maurice Vaughan

I hope my pos...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Great question, Maurice Vaughan! As a former Development Exec, my process before even getting to the pre-production stage often varied depending on the particular project. If we found a spec script th...

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Maurice Vaughan

"My process before even getting to the pre-production stage often varied depending on the particular project." I think that's a helpful mindset to have since each project is different/has different ne...

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Philip David Lee
What Increases The Volume of Your Voice?

I’m in a group. I may not be there much longer because the creator of the group states things I don’t agree with. Now he has more experience than me working on films that didn’t seem to make a profit but he’s had the opportunities. I think he talks mainly to sell his services as someone who can buil...

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Ashley Renee Smith
2025 Oscar Nominations: Notable Snubs and Surprises!

The 2025 Oscar nominations have sparked discussions with several unexpected omissions and inclusions. Notably, Angelina Jolie (Maria) and Nicole Kidman (Babygirl) were absent from the Best Actress category, despite their acclaimed performances. Similarly, Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez) and Daniel Craig...

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2025 Oscar nominations: Most shocking snubs and surprises of the year
2025 Oscar nominations: Most shocking snubs and surprises of the year
See the most shocking snubs and surprises among the 2025 Oscar nominations, from 'Babygirl' star Nicole Kidman to 'Emilia Pérez' actress Selena Gomez.
Maurice Vaughan

I think Margaret Qualley earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in THE SUBSTANCE, Ashley Renee Smith. And I think the snubs are a reflective of the competitive landscape this year....

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Sam Sokolow

It's always hard to read the tea leaves when the nominations are announced but it is quite a competitive year and the Academy members seem to be supporting some new talent and creatives associated wit...

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Geoff Hall
Emilia Perez - for your consideration…

As many of you know, I’m not a fan of musicals but this looks like quite an amazing film from Producer-Director-Writer Jacques Audiard and it’s got me curious.

It’s a great video showing the collaboration it took to create the film: from the casting, the cinematography and choreography, production de...

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan Maurice, me too. I just wasn’t aware of it as a musical.

Geoff Hall

Sandra Isabel Correia it’s been panned by a number of critics, but that always leaves me a little more curious! What are they kicking against?

Not allowed in your country? So much for the worldwide par...

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Sandra Isabel Correia

I can't see it, my friend Geoff Hall I believe its because Netflix in Portugal is linked with Spain ( Iberian) and not the UK. We don't see the same you see in UK :( Only if I add a VPN, but I don't n...

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E Langley

Regions might be opposed to a certain depiction which won't be spoiled here.

It's not a musical in the traditional sense, i.e. "West Side Story" and others where the action fully stops for song/dance t...

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Sam Sokolow

Agreed, E Langley. Its not a direct comparison at all but I'd put it more in the Hamilton lane than in the West Side Story lane. The "music numbers" convey ideas and move the plot forward in a brillia...

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Mike Henry
MAssachusetts Lots of good crews available until end of Summer

Just a reminder that MA has a strong crew base and we make quality movies here at every level. If anyone is searching for a place to shoot any size movie, I highly suggest you take advantage of the slow season here in MA and get in touch about shooting here. 25% tax incentive. Educated and committed...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Join Us for the Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up – LIVE on Instagram!

Get ready for another exciting Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up this Friday at 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET with Stage 32's Head of Community, Ashley Smith, and Community Manager / Writer's Room Producer, Kay Ross!

We'll be covering all the amazing things happening right here on Stage 32 – from upcoming events...

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Ashley Renee Smith

If you missed today's Instagram Live, you can watch the full video HERE: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFOE8lWyVLz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&......

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Ashley Renee Smith
Bring Your Story World to Life – Exclusive AMA with Karina Wilson This Friday!

Calling All Producers!

A well-developed world can make or break your project. This Friday (1/24), join us in the Stage 32 Writer’s Room Lounge for a virtual Ask Me Anything with Karina Wilson, a Writer, Story Consultant, and Former Story & Development Analyst for IM Global (Secret in Their Eyes, The...

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Ashley Renee Smith
FREE Awards Season Script Giveaway!

Stage 32 is thrilled to announce a FREE Awards Season Script Giveaway, where we’re sharing 55 scripts from this year’s top nominated movies for The Oscars, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and BAFTAs!

Reading screenplays is one of the most effective ways to sharpen storytelling skills, uncover industry sec...

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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…
Sam Sokolow

What a cool and valuable resource - reading scripts in it's own right is one of the most proactive and productive things screenwriters can so and and then seeing the films to decypher the choices the...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Susan Lipschutz Kaufman, Stage 32 provides Career Development Calls and Executive Consultations where you can connect with a working industry professional to ask them questions and share your concepts...

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Sandra Isabel Correia

I ask ready asked mine 55 :)) This is such an amazing opportunity for all screenwriters learn from champion scripts! Thank you Ashley Renee Smith and Stage 32 :))...

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Jack Binder

Ashley Renee Smith How Amazing! Fantastic opportunity to read these screenplays!

Ashley Renee Smith

That's why we're trying to spread the word far and wide, Jack Binder! If you're a part of any other groups online, be sure to let them know and share the link. =)

Nick Phillips
TOMORROW 4/22 at 4pm PT! LONGLEGS Writer/Director Osgood Perkins joins The Writers Room for an In-Depth Interview and Q&A!

Hey Producing Lounge! THIS IS IT, THE TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE WRITERS ROOM HAS COME! Please join us for a very special edition of The Writers Room TOMORROW 1/22 at 4pm PT!

We will be talking to LONGLEGS writer/director Osgood Perkins and taking questions from our members. As a producer, this film is...

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Sam Sokolow

This is awesome! LONGLEGS delivered on every level this year. Flagging this for my network so they can join.

Maurice Vaughan
WEDNESDAY – AMA with Stephanie Weier

Stephanie Weier, CEO & Founder of The Domain Group (KILL BILL 1 & 2, THE SOCIAL NETWORK, THE GREEN BOOK, NIGHT BITCH, RICK & MORTY), will be having a free Ask Me Anything event in the Distribution Lounge tomorrow, focused on “Understanding Rights Permissions & Script Clearances”!

Stephanie has experi...

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Karen "Kay" Ross
Engaging the Audience & Getting Your Message Across - BUT at What Cost?

Yes, this could easily be for the "directing" lounge, but the last say of any production is always with the PRODUCER (which is why they get the Oscar for Best Picture). So, for my Boss-Ass Producers out there, I caught a couple of articles in the trades today:

From DEADLINE, we're learning that BBC S...

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BBC Studios Considers Exiting Indian Production Business
BBC Studios Considers Exiting Indian Production Business
BBC Studios is considering exiting its India content production business, which makes The Office & Criminal Justice locally.
Debbie Elicksen

This is interesting Karen "Kay" Ross . You would think the partnership with India would be more lucrative for the BBC to stay. It seems to me that India would be a huge market....

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Maurice Vaughan
Entertainment Community Fund

As the wildfires continue to incinerate homes, Annette Bening wants those who work across the entertainment community to know that the Entertainment Community Fund is here to offer immediate short term help.

Entertain...

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Asmaa Jamil

Thank you for sharing Maurice.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Asmaa Jamil.

Sam Sokolow

Thanks for sharing this, Maurice Vaughan - we all need to rally and support everyone in our industry who have been affected by the fires short and long term. SoCalStrong!...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Sam Sokolow. You're right. Here are more resources and info if anyone, your families, and friends need them: www.stage32.com/lounge/anything_goes/L-A-Wildfires-How-to-Help-Updates-a......

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