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

Willem Elzenga
Interesting?

Is this for distributors or producers?

Willem Elzenga

I’ve added a screenshot of my mobile but can’t see it.

Maurice Vaughan

Oh ok, Willem Elzenga. I thought you were asking who the Producing Lounge was for. I checked the web browser and phone app. I don't see the screenshot. You might need to make a new post with the scree...

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Willem Elzenga

Hereby the screenshot.

Maurice Vaughan

I think it's more for producers, Willem Elzenga.

Sam Sokolow

Look like it's geared toward producers but hard to tell. Stage 32 has a webinar on how to use social media to market your indie or low budget film. I recommend checking this out before making any move...

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Sam Sokolow
Bac Films Boards Coming-of-Age Drama ‘Cassandre’

The support for first and second time filmmakers in France and all of Europe is another sign of the expanding independent film industry around the world. It;s an amazing and excitign time if you're thinking globally while staying authentic to your creative vision. https://variety.com/2025/film/globa...

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Bac Films Boards Coming-of-Age Drama 'Cassandre' Amid Expanded Acquisitions Slate (EXCLUSIVE)
Bac Films Boards Coming-of-Age Drama 'Cassandre' Amid Expanded Acquisitions Slate (EXCLUSIVE)
Bac Films has picked up Helene Merlin's coming-of-age drama 'Cassandre' as it expands its acquisition slate to seven to eight titles a year.
Sandra Isabel Correia

This is a very good sign for Europe and it’s so good watching the opportunities coming! Thank you Sam Sokolow

Maurice Vaughan
Stage 32 Certification Welcomes The Pittsburgh Film Office!

Stage 32 Certification has been bringing new film commissions, institutes, colleges, streamers, and other organizations into the mix on a consistent basis. This week we’re thrilled to welcome the Pittsburgh Film Office to Stage 32 Certification!

But it’s not just a great opportunity for creative pr...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. Good morning! Hope you have a great day!

Sandra Isabel Correia

You too my friend :)) Maurice Vaughan

Sam Sokolow

Thanks for sharing, Maurice Vaughan - we're really excited to be working with the team at The Pittsburgh Film Office to support their local crew development efforts....

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Sam Sokolow. It's impressive how fast Stage 32 Certification is growing!

Chan Cunningham
Securing The Right Rights For A Screenplay

Hello! My name is Chan Cunningham and I've recently written a musical feature spec based on an album from the mid-90's. The characters and story are all by me, but the music and lyrics are of this album. I am curious about 1. if I need rights prior to any sort of production or preproduction in terms...

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Chan Cunningham

Willem Elzenga Yes...I'm asking which rights to own. Just derivative works rights to own? And worry about the musical rights when going into production?

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

Chan Cunningham I wouldn't even develop it without securing the rights because, among other things, synchronization rights are "at large" meaning the copyright holder can charge literally anything the...

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Douglas Esper

As stated above, you'll want those rights in place before moving forward as the charge can change/be anything and once you've produced the film you're kinda stuck and have to pay whatever they ask or...

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Chan Cunningham

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg Douglas Esper Thank you both! Yes I have no plans to develop it at the moment, was more so looking to see what to ask for when I do eventually communicate with the copyri...

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Douglas Esper

Chan, super cool. Here are a couple places to identify the rights holders and get info n some of the various licenses. Should help on the journey.

Harryfox.com (the Harry fox agency) has a search tool...

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Sam Sokolow
NAACP Image Awards

Sharing some family news... I am so honored that GENIUS: MLK/X recieved a nomination for Best Limited Series today from the NAACP Image Awards. Our show received 4 nominations in total including Best Actor for Kelvin Harrison Jr., Best Supporting Actor for Ron Cephas Jones (who passed away shortly a...

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Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations, Sam Sokolow and everyone who worked on GENIUS: MLK/X! My condolences to Ron's family and friends.

Sydney S

Congrats Sam, so happy for you and your team! I will be tuning in!

Sandra Isabel Correia

Sam Sokolow You rock! Many congratulations on this and you know why? because everything you do is with Love :)) Cheering for you”Genius” and you!...

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Kris Taylor
David Harris Feature Script Read - No Show

Hi,

I have signed up for this and have confirmation that it should have started 30 minutes ago. Have attempted to contact Stage 32 however have had no replies.

Is there anyone who can help?

Warm regards,

Kris

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Kris Taylor. Was writerhelp@stage32.com the email you used to contact Stage 32?

Kris Taylor

Yes it was

Kris Taylor

The timeslot is over in 2 minutes and I have only received an automated reply.

I live in Ireland so it is now midnight.

Maurice Vaughan

Ok, Kris Taylor. Stage 32 gets a lot of emails, so you might not hear back right away. If it takes too long to hear back, I suggest sending another email.

Ashley Renee Smith
Celebrate the December 2024 Stage 32 Community’s Successes!

Stage 32 members are absolutely killing it with connections and successes over on the platform! Check out today's blog post to see all the tremendous wins from December >> https://www.stage32.com/blog/celebrate-the-december-2024-stage-32-commun......

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Sam Sokolow

This is awesome! Congratulations to all of the Success Stories, Double Recommends, OWA's and Script & Meeting Requests. Awesome way to end the year and kick off an exciting 2025!

Sam Sokolow

This is awesome, Amanda Toney - proof of what a tax incentive, great locations/infrastructure and a strong skilled workforce can accomplish. I'm excited about what Roy Cooper was leading in North Caro...

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Sandra Isabel Correia

That are good news Amanda Toney Thank you for sharing :)) Happy New Year for you and Sam Sokolow ! I wish your dreams come true :))...

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Jack Binder

Very good news for NC Amanda Toney! North Carolina has been a good production center for a long time and its good to see they are remaining a viable and steady location. I filmed there eons ago in Ash...

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Maurice Vaughan
Paradise Falls: A Christmas Story – A Journey of Dreams, Collaboration, & Gratitude

The feature film PARADISE FALLS: A CHRISTMAS STORY is on the big screen in more than 12 countries! And it was produced by Stage 32 member/Stage 32 certification graduate Hector Alfaro Dobles, Stage 32 certification graduates, Stage 32’s founder and CEO Richard “RB” Botto, and Stage 32’s Managing Dir...

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Maurice Vaughan

You can read more about the journey and Stage 32 Certification here:

www.stage32.com/blog/stage-32-certification-is-a-game-c...

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Sam Sokolow

The trailer plays so great and I could not be more thrilled for Hector, the Cafe Cinema team, RB and Amanda. What a fabulous achievement and proof that a well made indpendent film can find global dist...

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Tim Bragg
A Hotel budget

I have this script that takes place almost entirely in a five star hotel with many guest cameos requiring employee uniforms and staff. I am thinking $15,000 dollars a day for filming costs and shooting three months. Can this be filmed for under $2 million dollars?

Tim Bragg

I found what I wanted. Rivet AI broke the whole script down and I got a budget for every part of the production including how many days it would take to film. I used my script Boy Blue and it came bac...

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Willem Elzenga

Making a budget is simply just a lot of work that needs to be done sooner or later. Everybody can do it if you have internet and a phone. I am hoping you'll find a producer that is willing to do the w...

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Sam Sokolow

Some excellent advice from the community here. I agree with Willem Elzenga - a budget is a living, breathing document that needs to be made by an experienced person with the savvy and know-how to buil...

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Jack Binder

Willem Elzenga Absolutely, great points. A professional film budget for financiers, bond company, film commissions / treasuries / film tax credits, banks, lenders, and the production itself is critica...

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Tim Bragg

Thanks Sam. Willem and Jack. The AI budget gets me started and an idea of costs. It will not hurt me to shop it.

Sam Sokolow
Stage 32 Certification welcomes APPA Spain

We are super excited to announce Stage 32's new partnership with The Asociación De Profesionales De Producción Audiovisual in Madrid, Spain (The Association of Professionals of Audiovisual Production). The APPA covers all of Spain, which is one of the fastest growing and most exciting production com...

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Maurice Vaughan

That's great, Sam Sokolow! Stage 32 Certification is growing so fast!

Daniela Butini

that’s great news! I live in Madrid

Jack Binder

Fantastic Sam Sokolow - Bravo!

Mark Deuce

I really love Spain and I have great memories there!! HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL!!

Sam Sokolow
Clarence knows what’s up!

Thankful for this amazing community. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Maurice Vaughan

Merry Christmas, Sam Sokolow! I'm thankful to have you as a friend and thankful for this amazing community!

Mark Deuce
Maurice Vaughan

Happy New Year, Mark Deuce!

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