How To Write A Successful Action Movie

Hosted by Sabelo Mgidi

$49

On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.

Start Learning

Please make sure you use the same email address as the one you use to sign in to Stage 32, otherwise you won't have access to your webinar.
apply Your coupon will be applied after you agree to terms below.

- or -

$49.00
TOTAL PRICE:
Overlay Icon

Stage 32 Next Level Education has a 97% user satisfaction rate.

Projects:

Sabelo Mgidi

Webinar hosted by: Sabelo Mgidi

Executive Producer, Screenwriter & Author

Sabelo Mgidi is the screenwriter of Netflix’s Original hit action movie SILVERTON SIEGE which debuted at no.2 in the world on Netflix in April 2022. He is also the sole screenwriter of Netflix’s African hit series KINGS OF JOBURG Season 1 & 2 which went on to dominate the number one spot for several weeks on Netflix Africa, Jamaica, Australia and a few other countries. Sabelo is also an author of 3 fictional books and has recently released his first non-fiction book about the film industry and navigating the world of entertainment as a young filmmaker in the new world of streaming and interconnectedness within the world of content. The book is titled “DRAMA” and its follow up edition is titled “FAMOUS” which releases on the 25th of DECEMBER 2023. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

Learn how to create and write an action movie that can resonate around the world with Sabelo “King Of TV” Mgidi, an esteemed screenwriter & the Executive Producer of Netflix’s SILVERTON SIEGE and KINGS OF JOBURG!

PLUS! You will receive the shooting script for SILVERTON SEIGE, the No.2 Netflix movie in the world!

With today's global distribution landscape it is becoming more possible every day to create a movie or TV show wherever you are in the world that catches fire and gets global distribution and becomes a hit with audiences everywhere 

However, creating a story and film that resonates with people from different regions, cultures and languages is no easy take. There are certain elements in your story that are critical to include if you want your film to be adored by fans across the globe. 

In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn what elements you need to highlight in your script to make an action film that becomes a global success no matter where you live. You will learn how to take your personal experiences, cultural knowledge and story and turn all that into something every audience member in the world wants to pay attention to. Every story is important, it’s in the structure and how we set up the story that gets the rest of the world engaged.

Teaching you how to make an action film that becomes a global hit is esteemed screenwriter Sabelo “King of TV” Mgidi. Sabelo is the screenwriter of Netflix’s original hit action movie SILVERTON SIEGE which debuted at no.2 in the world in April 2022. He is also the sole screenwriter of Netflix’s African hit series KINGS OF JOBURG (seasons 1 & 2) which went on to dominate the number one spot for several weeks on Netflix Africa, Jamaica, Australia and a number of other countries.

Over an information-packed 90 minutes, Sabelo will share with you can create and write an action movie that resonates with today's global audience.

You will learn how to think globally in your writing and include internationally compelling characters and set pieces. You will also learn how to network effectively with international constituents to ensure your action film is a global phenomenon.

If you’re looking to write your action film that becomes a hit with audiences all over the world, this webinar is a must!

PLUS! You will receive a copy of the shooting script for SILVERTON SIEGE to help in your own writing.

"Stage 32 connects with Africa in this new age of streaming where content and connections from anywhere in the world can find a global audience! I am truly excited!!!" - Sabelo Mgidi

What You'll Learn

  • Thinking globally
    • A good sense of international knowledge
    • Films/Shows from other countries
    • Why traveling is so important to your writing
    • How to think globally (From America to Africa, from Asia to Europe to Australia, From the Middle East to South America)
    • What to look for in foreign films
  • Writing the “blockbusters” that travels
    • Story appeal
    • PLOT - What makes your movie different?
    • Creativity & ingenuity
    • Follow the past greats then follow yourself
    • Writing in different styles for different audiences
  • How to write international characters
    • What are common traits of globally loved characters?
    • How can characters resonate within different cultures?
    • How to create broad characters that speak to people across the world
  • Why the action genre?
    • Action
    • Suspense
    • Love
    • Understanding
    • How to translate all the above into your script for international audiences
    • How to recreate the past while creating a new future
  • Your title is everything!
    • Selling a global action film starts with its marketability
    • How to pick a title that will stick
    • What to avoid in a title
  • High Stakes/Noble Rewards
    • The one thing that makes every person from all walks of life tune in
    • The underdog
    • The story that everyone can relate to
    • Playing with emotions
  • Networking Across Oceans
    • Producers, Writers, Private funding, etc.
    • How to market your script/idea/film to international markets
    • How to define your own path as a storyteller/filmmaker regardless of background
  • Q&A with Sabelo

About Your Instructor

Sabelo Mgidi is the screenwriter of Netflix’s Original hit action movie SILVERTON SIEGE which debuted at no.2 in the world on Netflix in April 2022. He is also the sole screenwriter of Netflix’s African hit series KINGS OF JOBURG Season 1 & 2 which went on to dominate the number one spot for several weeks on Netflix Africa, Jamaica, Australia and a few other countries.

Sabelo is also an author of 3 fictional books and has recently released his first non-fiction book about the film industry and navigating the world of entertainment as a young filmmaker in the new world of streaming and interconnectedness within the world of content. The book is titled “DRAMA” and its follow up edition is titled “FAMOUS” which releases on the 25th of DECEMBER 2023.

FAQs

Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.

If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.

Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.

YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:

  1. Log into your Stage 32 profile
  2. Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
  3. Click "Purchase History"
  4. Choose this webinar and click the link to view
If You Do Not Have a Stage 32 Profile:
  1. Go to www.stage32.com
  2. Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
  3. Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
  4. Click "Purchase History"
  5. Choose this webinar and click the link to view

Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.

Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.

If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.

Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.

Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.

Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.

Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.

Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.

If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.

Questions?

If you have a generic question about Stage 32 education you can take a look at our frequently asked questions section on our help page, or feel free to contact support with any other inquiries you might have.

Other education that may be of interest to you:

Improving The Actor-Director Relationship

Learn directly from Paul Barry, top Los Angeles-based Australian acting coach with 20 years of worldwide audition, memorization, and on-screen teaching experience (current and former clients are represented by WME, CAA, Paradigm, and UTA, and have secured work with CBS, NBC, ABC, Netflix, Starz, Disney and many others)! For a set to run smoothly, the actor-director relationship must be a symbiotic one. Too often directors struggle to effectively communicate their ideas to actors, and actors feel confused by generalized direction. If the actors and director aren’t speaking a common language, they will begin to separate from each other and diminish the desired results for the shot. Whether you’re an actor or director, knowing how to effectively communicate with a common vocabulary, regardless of your training, is a must for understanding what is wanted and needed from one another. This will take the subjectivity and guesswork out of the equation, allowing both sides of the creative process to break down the barriers that often separate them. In this exclusive Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, host Paul Barry will teach you 3 very specific techniques that will eradicate the guesswork when it comes to the communication process between actors and directors. Drawing from his 20 years of experience as an acting and directing coach, as well as a professional reader, he will teach you how to translate generalized direction into specific action, harness the power of counter-intuition and create real drama in your scenes by defining the “rules” you both can play by. This webinar is essential for both actors and directors, and you will leave understanding how to create a clearer, stronger form of communication on set that will allow you to elevate the performance every time. PRAISE FOR PAUL'S TEACHINGS: "I’ve been using Paul’s approach for about 7 years now starting off in my work in co-op theatre around Sydney and now... Paul’s approach to acting is direct, effective and completely doable. More importantly, it elevates material to a level that’s exciting to play and gives it an edge that is exciting to watch." - Stephen Peacocke (three-time Logie award-winning actor) "I have been acting in film, television and theatre for the past twenty five years, and have attended a number of courses and classes throughout this time. Paul's course proved to be the most practicable, useful, and inspiring I have been to. His methods are immediately usable. They both expand and simplify what you've previously learnt, and they avoid mystification and obfuscation. And his teaching is all about the process and you." - Nicholas Hope (AFI award-winning actor) “Paul really made things clearer. As an actor I complicate things and working with him really articulated a process that helps me work effectively. He is great” - Dichen Lachman (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Shameless, The 100) “I cannot think of a teacher that an actor in Los Angeles (or elsewhere) could gain better training from, in order to gain a well rounded education and perspective for a career working in Film,TV or Theater than with Paul Barry.” - Lisa Kowalski "The tricks and techniques Paul gives his students are effective and acquirable that you can apply and experiment with... Rewarding and enjoyable don’t pass up the opportunity to be taught by Paul." - Clare Cholerton “Very helpful! Practical tips I can use at my 5pm audition today! Really charismatic, cool teacher who knows what he is doing” - Joanna Folino

Breaking Down the Pilot Script: Emmy-Winner Succession

  This script breakdown has a 100% satisfaction rating!   The hit HBO show SUCCESSION has shattered Emmy history with a record-breaking 27 nominations for the 2023 Emmy Awards alone! Add that to the 13 Primetime Emmy Awards they've already won, as well as the dozens more nominations over its 4 seasons, it is safe to say that SUCCESSION is one of the greatest shows of all time. As a creative, it's important for you to understand WHY it's so successful. In an exclusive Stage 32 Script Breakdown Webcast the Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, Will McCance, will break down the first episode of the Emmy award-winning series SUCCESSION using excerpts from the pilot episode. Will McCance is currently Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's SIX UNDERGROUND and FINDING 'OHANA for Netflix. Will has worked on hit television shows including THE BOYS and I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER for Amazon, PREACHER for AMC SWAT for CBS and MAX TILT for HBO Max. During this FREE Stage 32 Next Level Webcast Will will take you through the SUCCESSION pilot as he examines the main story engine introduction and themes, how character arc intros and drama is teed-up for the season, managing the script's pacing in an ensemble cast and exploring it's tonal elements, and much more!   Plus, everyone who registers for the webinar will receive a copy of the pilot script of SUCCESSION to study after the webinar is over!

The Pitch Tank with guest Jonathan Taub

Jonathan Taub - Talent & Literary Manager, Creative Executive with Cohn/Torgan Management

How to Develop and Pitch Your TV Horror Series - with Stranger Things Bible Download

Horror genre television series are in demand in a BIG way. Many production companies and buyers are actively looking for stories that provide thrills, chills and scares. In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in developing and producing popular shows for cable, steamers and network television. Shows like AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD franchise, HBO Max's THE LAST OF US and FX’s AMERICAN HORROR STORY have been paving the way for a new era of high quality, diverse, and ambitious horror series unlike anything that’s ever been created before. And according to the ratings, the appetite for this TV genre only continues to grow. If you have ever thought about writing, producing or selling your own horror television series, now is the time. Kevin Nicklaus is a veteran development executive with a long tenure with the The Wolper Organization, which has a first-look deal with Warner Bros., including HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. features, and more. He has been integral to the early development and sales of BATES MOTEL for A&E, the Emmy-nominated ROOTS for History, STEPHEN KING'S SALEM'S LOT for TNT, THE MISTS OF AVALON for TNT, HELTER SKELTER for CBS, THE BAD SEED for Lifetime and more. Kevin has been active in the world of horror television for years now and knows better than most what it takes to get a scary series off the ground. Kevin will delve into what the world of horror television looks like today and how best to approach and pitch your own horror series to give it the best shot of getting noticed. He’ll begin with a primer of horror television, including its history and a look at why it’s now more desirable for networks. He’ll also delve into the 4 popular trends currently found in horror TV and what the most popular horror series are right now and why. Kevin will then give you tips on how to approach your own horror series including how to consider your audience, whether your idea is a series or just a long movie, using teasers and cliffhangers effectively, and how to find your episodic engine. Next Kevin will show you how best to pitch your horror series. He’ll explain who’s looking for horror projects, what a good horror TV pitch deck looks like and what to focus on when you’re in the room. Finally he will outline the biggest mistakes to avoid when putting together your horror series, both when writing the pilot and when pitching. Expect to walk away with a much clearer idea of how best to craft your own horror television series and have it find success. Kevin will even provide a free download of STRANGER THINGS’ early pitch deck and use it as a case study when delving into building your own pitch documents. Praise for Kevin's Stage 32 Webinar: "It was exactly what I was looking for!" -Seth N. "Spot on! Helped me think big picture." -Scot B. "There was a lot of specific detail and the breakdown of the pitch deck was fantastic." -Brien G.

How to Build a Global Career: Bridging the US and EU Film Industry for Actors and Filmmakers

Rich and diverse talent exists all over the world. We see it in stories like Netflix hits THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT and UNORTHODOX, both produced in Germany, and LUPIN, the hit Netflix series that originated in France and has exploded to the global audience. Or even SUBURRA, the Netflix hit which launched Italian lead actor Alessandro Borghi into the global series DEVILS.  It is no surprise that multi-cultural, multi-national stories are here to stay. And, now with film and television productions taking place in every country, more and more filmmakers and actors have opportunity to work. The exciting part about this global storytelling is that it opens the door for creatives all over the world to work internationally - as long as you do the research and put in the work to find opportunities.  It's time to stop thinking locally and start thinking globally for your career. Who you are, where you've lived, your heritage, your background makes you unique in the global industry. There are key differences between the US and EU film and television markets, and at the same time there are unique needs within both. By educating yourself on the different type of structures in each region you will open up the possibility to understand how your own personal background can play a key role in an international production's need. Whether you have a strong family heritage that allows you to speak multiple languages, or you are German or Portuguese and moved around to different countries, or a Texan that now lives in the Netherlands, or Emily who lives in Paris ;) - all of that is valuable in today's global filmmaking industry. How can you take these unique characteristics that you have and apply them to help you get more work?  Alex Surer is a producer and manager who leads the Berlin division of the global talent management company Bohemia Group. Through this position, Alex links multi-lingual actors, writers and filmmakers from Europe with the US film and TV industries. Born in San Francisco to Swiss parents, Alex grew up in Vancouver and Basel, Switzerland, and was shipped off to Houston as an exchange student, returning to graduate in Zurich, adding proper German, French and Latin to her native Swiss-German and English. Alex has used her deep multilingual, multicultural and multinational background to help actors bridge these gaps and has helped countless performers find roles and long-lasting careers in other countries. Alex will teach you how European creatives can find success in America and how American creatives can find success in Europe. She’ll first go through the differences between European and US acting communities, how opportunities are found on stage and on screen for each region and how unions work. She’ll then compare how European filmmakers work compared to US filmmakers, and how this informs casting. She will also explain how film festival can be the key to expanding your sights and the resources you can be using aside from just IMDB.  Alex will even bring in a few special guests--actors and filmmakers who have found success by moving to different countries--to dive into their journeys. ***And, even if you are based outside of the US or EU, there are key things you can learn from this webinar which you can apply to your own region.   If you’ve been contained to your own region or country in looking for creative opportunities, prepare to have your mind permanently expanded by Alex’s deep experience and global perspective

Advanced Financing Webinar: How To Put Together A Recoupment Schedule For Your Film or TV Project

As creatives, we tend to focus on the writing, the directing, the creative producing, basically all the creating aspects of a film or television series. But it’s important to understand what happens after a film is released or TV series is aired. All those big box office numbers sound great, but who gets all that money and in what order? Who gets paid and in what order is called the “recoupment schedule” also known as “the waterfall.” It’s important to understand this schedule, so that you know your place in the waterfall. Some people may find the recoupment schedule confusing, because there are several factors and various agreements that go into determining the order of recoupment. Those includes sales agency agreements, co-production agreements, finance agreements, talent agreements, interparty agreements, security agreements, and collection account management agreements. Plus there’s the consideration of domestic and international revenue, and what gets allocated through the waterfall. But if your head is already spinning, fret not. With the right guidance, all of this will make much more sense and David Zannoni is the best at breaking this down. David Zannoni is an international business specialist for Fintage House in the US, Europe, Canada and Latin America territories. Fintage House, the world's most respected company for revenue and rights protection for industry professionals and companies. David negotiates agreements for films and television series and is involved in business development and relationship management globally on hundreds of productions. David is continuously present to make deals and speak at international film markets, festivals and conferences, including: the Cannes Film Festival, the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, the American Film Market (AFM), Ventana Sur, the Bogota Audiovisual Market (BAM), and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and travels regularly to the United States, the Netherlands, Europe, and all over Latin America. David is going to help you understand the ins and outs of a recoupment schedule and how to make sure you are on top of your finances for your own project. He will first go into what exactly a recoupment schedule looks like and what kind of projects they are normally used for. He will delve into the agreements that recoupment schedule is based on. He will also go into how the payments are executed, how to determine the order of payments, and which funds you should be allocating. You’ll walk away with a solid foundation and understanding of “the waterfall” and where you may fall in the waterfall.

register for stage 32 Register / Log In