Cinematography

This week’s blog from Ashley Smith digs into what Stage 32 is really about, beyond scripts, reels, or trying to land that one perfect connection. She shares a moment from the recent Community Open House where a new member asked if Stage 32 was “worth her time” because she only wanted to meet someone who could take her project straight to a major streamer.

Click to Read the full blog: https://www.stage32.com/blog/what-stage-32s-community-is-really-about-be...

Ashley’s answer is simple: this industry runs on relationships, not transactions.

You can grind alone for years, or you can spend a few intentional minutes each day connecting with people, joining conversations, and showing who you are. That’s what moves careers forward. Not talent alone, but trust, rapport, and how you show up between the big moments.

Ashley highlights that thousands of working pros — producers, execs, managers, filmmakers, department heads — quietly read posts, comments, and interactions every day. Many people on Stage 32 have collaborated, found reps, built teams, or landed opportunities simply because they consistently participated and engaged like real humans.

The bigger message: creativity isn’t just the finished film or script. It’s your curiosity, generosity, communication style, and how you interact with others. Those “small” moments are the ones that actually open doors.

The blog also points to a real-time example: a working literary manager hosting a free AMA in the Screenwriting Lounge — something most writers couldn’t access through cold queries alone.

Ashley’s takeaway is clear: if you want to grow faster, don’t do it alone. Community isn’t a distraction. It’s the work.

Tomorrow marks the start of production on The Shape of Kindness.

The camera is built, every battery is charged, the cases are labeled, color-coded, and ready. And for the first time in my filmmaking life… I’m stepping onto a set where my only responsibility is DP. That still feels strange to say.

For years, I was the team: writer, producer, director, DP, editor, sound, color, you name it. If something needed doing, I did it because there was no one else to do it. That instinct doesn’t go away easily, and stepping into a true collaborative environment has stretched me in ways I wasn’t prepared for.

These past couple of weeks have been “all hands on deck, all hours of the day.” Endless prep, meetings, camera builds, revisions, pickups, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks. Because of that, I’ve been a little quieter on Stage 32 than usual — and I appreciate everyone’s patience. Sometimes the best way to show up here is to get the work done out there.

This project has been a crash course in letting go of control and trusting the team that our producer assembled. Letting a director truly direct. Letting departments own their domains. And letting myself focus on one thing: the image and the emotional truth behind it.

It hasn’t been smooth internally. I’ve had moments of fear, doubt, frustration, and a few breakdowns.

Because when you’ve always held every piece alone, handing them off feels like giving away your safety net.

But the deeper lesson finally broke through this week:

Letting your team carry their part isn’t losing control. It’s creating space for the film to become bigger than you.

Tomorrow, other people carry the weight with me.

Tomorrow, I get to focus my full energy on light, blocking, lenses, movement — the reason I fell in love with filmmaking in the first place.

Tomorrow, the story becomes real because many hands bring it to life, not just mine.

So tonight, the nerves are there.

The excitement is there.

The desire to make something beautiful is definitely there.

But underneath all of it is something new for me:

Trust.

Trust in the prep.

Trust in the team.

Trust that shared vision makes stronger films.

Question for the lounge:

If you’ve transitioned from doing everything yourself to working with a full team, what was the hardest part of letting go? And what surprised you most once you did?

I've said it here before... I love a good practical light! Simple, utilitarian. Oftentimes, quite beautiful. Many years ago, I shot a small indie film where our primary location was a musty, old recording studio (where magic happens of course). The space was huge and extremely dark. I needed to find a way to light the entire space on a limited budget and make it all look natural to the story.

While walking through the space one day, regretting ever becoming a DP... I had an epiphany! For about $300, I purchased a bunch of China balls, sockets, matching globes, and dowel rods. I spaced the balls out along the rafters, ran each rafter to its own circuit, and dimmer. BAM! I had an adjustable bank of room lights that were hidden in plain sight. They played as part of the aesthetic and even made it into the film.

While it's not my most expensive or admittedly best-looking piece of work, I've always been extremely proud of that set-up, mainly because of the boot-straps problem-solving involved with bringing it to life.

Share some of your most quirky or inventive lighting setups in the comments below.

Want to bring a cinematic edge to every project you shoot? These webinars and classes, taught by experienced DPs and industry pros, dive into everything from lighting and camera techniques to visual storytelling and post-production, giving you practical skills to make your work stand out.

We wanted to highlight some of our most highly viewed Cinematography webinars and classes so far this year. These programs have helped filmmakers around the world refine their craft, enhance their visual style, and tell more compelling stories through the lens.

TOP WEBINARS:

How To Use 11 Different Camera Angles To Evoke Mood and Emotion >

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-use-11-different-camer...

Learn how to evoke mood using the proper camera angle from an Emmy-winning producer and director! And get a detailed glossary of 11 shots you need to know and the equipment you need to capture them!

The Keys to a Successful Director & Cinematographer Relationship >

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/the-keys-to-a-successful-dire...

Learn from Emmy Award winning director and cinematographer who has worked with networks including FX, Netflix, PBS, ESPN, Disney, HGTV, TLC, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, Food Network, and OWN. You’ll walk away with the tools to find the right partnership and cultivate it to create a powerful experience, leading to a fantastic feature film.

How to Get Work in the Camera/ Grip/ Electrical Department on a Film or TV Show >

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-get-work-in-the-camera...

Learn directly from top key grip from Amazon's THE BOYS and Netflix's LOCKE & KEY & THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY! He will walk you through all the possible jobs within the camera, grip, and electrical fields, what skills you need to be successful, and how COVID-19 has changed the film landscape. He will also discuss the path from the camera department to other roles like cinematographer and director.

TOP CLASSES:

2-Part Class: Advanced Shot Coverage - Implementing Shot Lists and Visual Diversity for Your Film >

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/2-part-shot-coverage-class-ad...

Learn from a top Script Supervisor who's worked on CAPTAIN AMERICA and FURIOUS 7! She will dive into the intricacies and strategies of shot coverage and give you a series of tools and strategies you can use to best shoot and cover your project, no matter how involved it may be.

A Cinematographer's Guide to Making your Indie Film Look Like a Million Dollars >

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/a-cinematographers-guide-to-m...Learn from a Netflix, HBO and Showtime Cinematographer! You'll learn how to elevate the production value of your film, making it stand out in a competitive market.

How to Choose the Best Camera & Equipment for Your Film >

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-choose-the-best-camera...

Learn from the Director of Photography from Emmy-nominated STRANGER THINGS and SOUND OF FREEDOM (which grossed over $250 Million)! You will learn everything you need to know including how to choose the right camera and lenses, as well as your supporting system, lighting and post-production workflow.

As we map out our 2026 education calendar, your input is essential.

What cinematography topics should we focus on next year? Leave your suggestions in the comments—your feedback shapes our programs.