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Sam Sokolow is a two-time Emmy-nominated producer, perhaps best known for his work in developing and producing the Emmy nominated limited series GENIUS for National Geographic Channel and Disney+, one of the first prestige limited series to find a wide audience. In his career, Sam has executive produced 18 original TV series and set up dozens of television and film projects at major studios and distributors in Hollywood and is well-versed at finding success developing, pitching, and selling his projects. Previously, he co-wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning independent feature film THE DEFINITE MAYBE, starring Josh Lucas, Roy Scheider, and Bob Balaban. Sam is currently the Head of Education at Stage 32. Full Bio »

Learn the essential fundamentals of producing from the 2-time Emmy-nominated producer of GENIUS: MLK/X, which premieres on Nat Geo and Disney+ on February 1st, 2024.
PLUS! You’ll receive the pilot script to Sam’s Emmy-winning series GENIUS: EINSTEIN, a shopping agreement template and an option/purchase agreement template to use on your own projects.
The entertainment business is built around content. Movies, TV series and digital content are all pieces of entertainment that are "produced" and while technology continues to evolve in so many ways the fundamental process of producing has remained largely the same - meaning you can learn it. Stage 32 is here now to teach that process to you.
No matter what you choose to do in the entertainment business, having a basic understanding of producing is invaluable. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn the basic principles and processes of producing from start to finish. We will delve into the entire process including creative development, talent packaging, budgeting, scheduling, physical production, post-production and final delivery.
Teaching you everything you need to know to become a successful producer is Sam Sokolow, a 2-time Emmy nominated executive producer and Stage 32 Director of Education. Sam has put almost 20 original shows on television, including the 20-time Emmy-nominated limited series GENIUS for National Geographic Channel and Disney+. The fourth season of GENIUS – GENIUS: MLK/X – will premiere on February 1, 2024. Sam is currently in development on several films and television series based on real people or true events from history.
Over 90 information-packed minutes, you will learn the art and business of producing, an invaluable skill, which is critical for those who want to create or be a part of making movies, TV shows, and digital content. You will walk away from this webinar with a comprehensive understanding of producing, which will empower you to navigate the challenges and contribute effectively to the creation of compelling content in the entertainment industry.
Whether you’re a veteran producer or looking to make your first project, this webinar is a must!
PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help you become a better Producer.. Downloads include:
Praise For Sam's Teaching on Stage 32
"I'm so glad I got to work with Sam. His knowledge is very evident in his teaching and I'm better for it! After taking this course, I feel much more confident in pitching." -- Carolyn R.
"There's a lot of info I learned here that I had no idea I didn't know. The pitch can really sink or swim your project, so I can't express the importance of learning this material enough!" -- Amanda H.

Q&A with Sam Sokolow
Sam Sokolow
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Learn how to develop iconic characters from history for the screen from Sam Sokolow, an executive producer of GENIUS: MLK/X, GENIUS: ARETHA, GENIUS: PICASSO & GENIUS: EINSTEIN on Nat Geo/Disney+! PLUS! You'll receive a copy of the GENIUS: EINSTEIN television pilot script and the ALI feature film screenplay! There have always been films and television shows about the great iconic figures in history - from movies such as SCHINDLER'S LIST and ALI to TV series like THE CROWN and GEORGE & TAMMY. Do you have an idea to tell the story of an iconic person from history? Someone whose name has lived on through time or their accomplishments resonated and changed lives or, perhaps, both? Telling the story of an icon from history can be more challenging than telling almost any contemporary story. Often times their accomplishments put them on a cultural pedestal. It’s more expensive to go back in time on-screen. Distributors crave younger audiences who may not care about a certain person from history. And creatively, how do you truly decipher if your character’s life story can effectively fill a 2-hour movie or a 10-hour series? And then, if everything points to a worthy endeavor, what specific legal rights might you need to tell the person’s story that you want to tell? Stage 32 is here to answer all of these questions and more. Taking you through this professional-level training is Sam Sokolow, a 2-time Emmy nominated executive producer with a focus on historical drama. Sam has put almost 20 original shows on television, including the 20-time Emmy-nominated limited series GENIUS for National Geographic Channel and Disney+. The fourth season of GENIUS – GENIUS: MLK/X – will premier in the Fall of 2023. He is currently in development on several films and television series based on real people or true events from history. During this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn how to determine if an iconic person from history’s story has a high or low probability of becoming a film or TV series and why. You will discuss how to best develop a dynamic and engaging story for the screen based on an iconic character in history. You will delve into how to best create an on-screen version of your iconic person that an A-List actor would want to play, which is usually a key component of getting a green light for a historical film or TV show. And so much more. Developing the story of an iconic person from history has the advantage of audience awareness in many cases but there are real challenges and creative questions that need to be answered and addressed early on for your project to have the best chance at success. You will be given the tools to make the most informed decisions on whose story to develop and why, how best to develop that person’s story and how to position your project for success. PLUS! Sam will provide you with the pilot script from his series GENIUS: EINSTEIN and the feature film screenplay from Michael Mann's Muhammad Ali biopic ALI. If you are considering telling the story of an iconic character from history for the screen, or if you are already in development on a project about an iconic character from history and need to figure out how best to tell their story for commercial success, then this webinar is a must! Praise For Sam's Teaching on Stage 32 "I'm so glad I got to work with Sam. His knowledge is very evident in his teaching and I'm better for it! After taking this course, I feel much more confident in pitching." -- Carolyn R. "There's a lot of info I learned here that I had no idea I didn't know. The pitch can really sink or swim your project, so I can't express the importance of learning this material enough!" -- Amanda H.
This Class Has A 100% Satisfaction Rating! Learn from the 2-Time Emmy Award Nominated Executive Producer of the Emmy Award Winning Series GENIUS If you have your own idea for a limited series, there’s no better time than now to get it in front of executives and decision-makers looking for this engaging television. Over the last several years, the limited series has become one of the most exciting, competitive, and acclaimed formats in the entertainment industry. Limited series like Hulu’s DOPESICK, Paramount+’s THE OFFER, Hulu's PAM & TOMMY, Netflix’s THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT, Amazon’s UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, and HBO’s CHERNOBYL have become global phenomena and greatly boosted the careers of the creatives behind them. It’s no surprise that buyers and big names on all sides of the camera are hungry for binge-worthy event programming like these limited series and are looking for the next hit to make. So how do you know if you have a winning idea? How do you develop your material and package it together to attract a buyer? What steps can you take that can increase the probability of a sale or production order? Two-time Emmy-nominated producer Sam Sokolow will show you all of this and more. Sam is best known for his work in developing and producing the Emmy-winning limited series GENIUS for NatGeo/Disney+, one of the first prestige limited series to find a wide audience. Over his career, Sam has executive produced 18 original TV series and set up dozens of television and film projects at major studios and distributors in Hollywood and is well-versed at finding success developing, pitching, and selling his projects. Exclusively for Stage 32 in this in-depth 4-session on-demand class, Sam will teach you how to develop, pitch, and sell limited series to a streamer or network by first learning how to identify source material, packaging talent into your project, and identifying the buyers. He’ll review the pilot script for GENIUS: EINSTEIN to highlight what makes a world-class limited series pilot work. He’ll also show you how to build the pitch, approach the buyers, and even share what the deals look like. PLUS! Sam will show you: The GENIUS pilot script A pitch deck he used for a limited series he worked on, so you can see how he put all the pieces together to ultimately pitch and sell the project. You don’t want to miss out on this class!
The producer of NatGeo's limited series GENIUS will teach you how you can get your own limited series off the ground. Includes a case study of a pitch document that helped sell a limited series. Over the last several years, the limited series has become one of the most exciting, competitive, and acclaimed formats in the entertainment industry. Series like PAINKILLER, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT, CHERNOBYL, and DAISY JONES & THE SIX have become global phenomena and greatly boosted the careers of the creatives behind them. It’s no surprise that buyers and big names on all sides of the camera are hungry for binge-worthy event programming like these limited series and are looking for the next hit to make. If you have your own idea for a limited series, there’s no better time than now to get it in front of executives and decisionmakers looking for this content. But how does one develop the material and package it together to increase the probability of a sale or production order? Sam Sokolow is a two-time Emmy-nominated producer, perhaps best known for his work in developing and producing the Emmy nominated limited series GENIUS for National Geographic Channel, one of the first prestige limited series to find a wide audience. The 4th season of GENIUS - GENIUS MLK/X, which depicts the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X - premieres on Nat Geo on February 1st 2024 and drops on Disney+ and Hulu the next day. Over his career, Sam has executive produced 19 original TV series and set up dozens of television and film projects at major studio and distributors in Hollywood and is well-versed at finding success developing, pitching, and selling his projects. Exclusively for Stage 32, Sam will teach you how to develop, pitch, and sell limited series to a streamer or network by first learning how to identify source material, packaging talent into your project, and identifying the buyers. He’ll also show you how to build the pitch, approach the buyers, and even share what the deals look like. Sam will even share examples of the emails and finders fees he used to package his projects. Plus! Sam will walk you through a real pitch deck he used for a limited series he worked on, so you can see how he put all the pieces together to ultimately pitch and sell the project. You won’t want to miss out on this detailed on-demand webinar!
Learn how you can have a successful general meeting with reps, executives, buyers and potential collaborators from a top manager in the business! Whether you’re leading the creative charge as a screenwriter, in the trenches a director or cinematographer, behind the scenes as a crew member, or in front of the camera as an actor being great at what you do is only part of your job. We at Stage 32 preach that 50% of your job is excelling at your craft, the other 50% is networking and understanding how the industry works. It's simply undeniable, those who commit to treating their networking and relationship building as their job and keep on top of what's happening in the industry land more meetings with decision makers who can make an impact on their career. But the goal is not just to get into the room, it's to stay in the room. And that means you need to know how to be good in the room. And with more and more meetings going virtual and online, you must know how to prepare and have the skills ready for those situations as well. General meetings are the first line of offense and defense for decision makers. As you know, most people in this industry - whether working in film, television or digital - want to find creatives and professionals they can go to war with time and time again. Their tribe. To become part of someone's tribe (and eventually form one of your own), you have to know how to nail the general meeting. It is crucial that you understand how to prepare. You must know who you're meeting with, what to wear, proper etiquette, the story of your project, the story of your personal brand (such an overlooked art), and know your pitch inside and out. Ultimately, you want to turn this general meeting into something much greater or assure that you're receiving a callback meeting. Their are many tried and true tricks for getting this done and we're going to bring them to you. Jeff Portnoy of Bellevue Management is one of the most revered managers working in the industry today. Jeff was recently named been named by Variety as one of Hollywood’s New Leaders in Management. Prior to joining Bellevue, Jeff worked at Creative Artists Agency, The Gotham Group, Resolution Talent Agency and Heretic Literary Management. Along the way he has sold and set up projects to New Line Cinema, Lionsgate, FOX, Screen Gems, Warner Bros. and more. Jeff has been on both sides of the table for hundreds of general meetings and has learned exactly what makes a meeting successful and where many go south – and he’s here to share the do's and don'ts with you, the Stage 32 community Jeff will teach you how to assure that you perform in your general meeting in a manner that makes you memorable. He will discuss everything from attire to how to carry yourself to how to make eye contact. He'll teach you how to prepare your pitch and convey it with the right amount of passion, charisma and energy. He’ll give you important guidelines on how and when you should talk in the conversation and help you understand if you’re talking too much or sending the wrong message. You’ll learn how to get notes from the other side of the table and how you should receive and respond to them. You will know the best way to pitch “you” and your brand so you stand out from other people taking general meetings with the same party. Jeff will teach you how to do research on the people and the company you are meeting with and how to use that information to your advantage (and not be creepy about it!) He will make you understand why the assistant and support staff can ultimately be your best ally. Finally, Jeff will go over the various types of meetings you’ll encounter in your career – from studios, production companies, managers, agents and networks and explain the differences so you’ll be fully prepared. PRAISE FOR JEFF'S TEACHINGS: "A wealth of information. Gave me a lot of things to think about - especially with the tips on reading the room. Your description of how to pitch myself and my story were game-changers. Off to practice now." - Sonia H. "What fabulous advice, Jeff, thank you!" - Greg M. "Yep, now I know why I haven't been securing a second meeting. I have seen the light and the err of my ways." - Veronica G "The dress code discussion was very helpful, I never knew what I should wear and now I do!" - John S.
About this time in a normal year, filmmakers from around the world would be locking down their plans to travel to Santa Monica and attend the internationally renowned American Film Market (AFM). One of the biggest film acquisition, development and networking events in the world, AFM has provided a forum for thousands of films to find funding and acquisition deals since its founding in 1981. Yet this year will be different. Like most events right now, AFM has made the shift to virtual, and with that comes new rules, new expectations, and a new landscape. If you’re hoping to attend the AFM this year and leave with a deal in hand, it’s important you understand what the market will look like and how you can adjust your strategy to find success. With the AFM moving virtual, it will be even more competitive and challenging to access sales agents, buyers, and potential international partners. You will need to know who the players are and how to get their attention - all while working on different time zones and communicating virtually. Trying to understand this new way of doing business adds another layer of complexity as you navigate your market strategy, but don't worry. This new form of market is intended to be fruitful for all - and, most importantly, fun! Alexia Melocchi is a partner at Little Studio Films, and for over two decades has produced and sold award winning movies that have earned nearly $1 Billion dollars in box office returns worldwide. Her clients have bought and partially financed films such as LA LA LAND, PEPPERMINT, THE BOY, TWILIGHT, TEEN SPIRIT and THE BANKER. Amongst her personal producing credits are the DURAN DURAN documentary directed by David Lynch, SERVICE TO MAN released through Entertainment Studios, and SOL DE MEDIANOCHE released on HBO. Alexia is also the host of THE HEART OF SHOW BUSINESS podcast, where she discusses the behind-the-scenes of how Hollywood truly works. Alexia has built much of her success on attending major film markets and intimately knows what it takes to stand out and get the deals you’re after in these forums, whether virtual or otherwise. Alexia will guide you through how to work this virtual edition of the American Film Market to get the meetings you’re after and find success for your project. She will begin by outlining the cultural differences that you can expect at this year’s AFM and the global market shifts that are taking place. Then she’ll delve into AFM as a whole and what their new virtual format is going to look like this year, including their Industry Offices, LocationEXPO, On Demand Theatre, Conference, Networking Pavilion, and Advisor Network. She’ll provide you with a rundown of the specific sales agents, distributors, and producers attending AFM this year that you should know. Alexia will then teach you how to handle the virtual obstacles taking place at the market this year, including the online meeting landscape how to work Zoom like a professional, and how to handle time zones. She’ll give you tips on how best to prepare for AFM, how to make appointments ahead of time and select your target list, how to access your targets, and how to use database platforms to hone your plan, including AFM Connect, Cinando, IMDBPro, and Variety Insight. Next Alexia will explain how you should approach buyers. She’ll walk you through the perfect approach for buyers and how to get your message across in a limited time frame to the right person. She’ll also show you what you really need to have ready before AFM begins and other relationship building tips to keep in mind beyond AFM. Finally, Alexia will expand to show you current trends overseas. She’ll talk about production challenges and updates in a COVID-19 era and why you should be planning ahead for the good times. The path to success continues to alter, and the push to virtual is challenging for everyone, but with the lessons and tips that Alexia will provide, you will leave with a solid understanding of how to roll with the punches and find the opportunities you’re after. Praise for Alexia's Stage 32 Webinar: "Really great. Actually useful, practical advice. Wasn't full of bullshit platitudes, Alexia shot straight with us, but was also positive and encouraging. All in all, really appreciated the way she gave an overview of AFM and how to best take advantage of it." -Max W. "Alexia did a fantastic job of making it all relatable and cutting through the noise." -Clint G. "I really did gain some needed information on how to address this film market online" -Craig H. "Alexia is clearing very experienced & she is so gracious in sharing her wisdom with all of us. I'm truly grateful that you all put on this webinar!" -Becca G.
HBO Max, Netflix, Disney +, Hulu, oh my! It seems that everywhere you turn there is a new streamer showcasing some of the best television shows we have ever seen from creatives. With more distribution outlets than ever and larger, global audiences to be able to watch it, the demand for television content is the highest it's ever been. We've seen incredible shows emerge like INSECURE on HBO, THE HANDMAID'S TALE on Hulu and THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY on Netflix, and it's the engine of the writers' room that keeps us coming back for more and continuing on to watching episode after episode. Stage 32 is going to peel back the curtain and take you behind the scenes of what it takes to write on these popular shows, and what it takes to help you break in to get there. Join us as we bring in showrunner Mike Gauyo from AMC's ALLBLK SEND HELP and writer on HBO's INSECURE, as well as Co-Executive Producers and writers Jason and Jamie Neese from Netflix's THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, and John Herrara and Nina Fiore from Emmy-nominated Hulu's THE HANMAID'S TALE for an exclusive FREE Stage 32 webcast. Moderating this world-class group of television writers is our very own Jason Mirch, Director of Script Services of Stage 32. This world class group of television writers will be talking about the craft of TV writing and going over what they are seeing in the marketplace today for streaming. Come join us for this free fun and educational webinar!