On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
Liliana Granados was recently the Creative Executive at Viola Davis' JuVee Productions where she executed her passion for developing projects that celebrate culture and diversity. Most notably, Liliana participated in the development of TriStar’s WOMAN KING as well as helped shepherd Amazon and MRC’s upcoming G20 film. She also served as the Director of Development at Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios, where she helped build the film drama department. Liliana’s mission is to build and guide the next generation of diverse storytellers. Her goal is to stay at the forefront of changes happening in entertainment and produce socially empowering films that inspire audiences globally. Liliana began her career with NBC Casting, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Sofia Vergara's Latin World Entertainment, CAA and worked in international film sales and financing at Sierra Affinity. Full Bio »

In recent years, studios and streamers have created production shingles with top on-screen talent at a furious pace. They rely on this big name talent to bring them ideas so aligning yourself with one of these A-Lister's companies can increase the odds of your project happening. And all of these production companies have development executives and are open for business.
Learn how you can get the attention of an A-list star's production company for your next film or television project from esteemed executive Liliana Granados, who was Creative Executive at Viola Davis' JuVee Productions and Director of Development at Eugenio Derbez's 3Pas Studios!
One way to put your project on a successful path is to set it up at an A-List star's production company. In the lest several years, the big studios and streamers have made deals with A-List stars and rely on their production companies to bring in ideas and fulfill the terms of their deals. The studios and streamers are incentivized to work with the stars they have in deals. And each of these companies has development executives and are open for business. Sometimes setting your project up with them is is the easiest path into the big streamers and studios.
So how do you capture the attention of these star-led production companies? How can you craft a pitch that not only grabs their interest but also aligns with the aspirations of the actors they seek? We’re here to help.
In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn how you can attract the attention of an A-list actor’s production company for your film or television project. You will learn the indispensable elements necessary to captivate star-led production companies, including aligning your project with the company’s brand and how to approach the project from an actor’s perspective.
Teaching you everything you need to know to successfully approach a star-backed production company is esteemed film executive Liliana Granados, whose illustrious career has woven through the corridors of entertainment alongside luminaries like Viola Davis, Sofia Vergara, and Eugenio Derbez. Liliana worked as a Creative Executive at Viola Davis' JuVee Productions where she executed her passion for developing projects that celebrate culture and diversity. Most notably, Liliana participated in the development of TriStar’s WOMAN KING as well as helped shepherd Amazon and MRC’s upcoming G20 film. Recently, Granados served as the Director of Development at Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios, where she helped build the film drama department.
In an information-packed 90 minutes, Liliana will draw from her rich professional experiences to unravel the intricacies of crafting a compelling pitch tailored to these star-led entities, sharing insights into what actors truly seek in projects. You will walk away from this webinar with the tools and knowledge you need to navigate this current landscape and understand the pulse of what captures the imagination of both actors and the entities they helm.
PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you get the attention of an A-list actor's production company.
"As an executive with extensive experience across multiple actor-led companies, I've had the privilege of evaluating numerous pitches and contributing insights at various film festival panels, guiding filmmakers through the intricate art of pitching. Whether engaging with emerging creators or seasoned artists, I've witnessed firsthand how crafting a compelling pitch stands as the pivotal selling point for any project.
Throughout my career, I've gathered invaluable insights into what resonates with actors when assessing potential projects. This knowledge has been honed through years of immersive industry exposure, enabling me to discern the elements that truly captivate actors and align projects with their aspirations.
Now, I'm thrilled to distill this wealth of knowledge into a concise and actionable framework. My aim is to empower you with the strategic tools and insights necessary to elevate your pitch, significantly enhancing your project's potential for success. Together, let's navigate the nuanced landscape of pitching to ensure your project stands out and captures the attention it deserves." - Liliana Granados

Liliana Granados
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:
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.
Learn how you can land meetings with influential Creative Executives and maximize the results of those meetings with esteemed executive Liliana Granados, who was a Creative Executive at Viola Davis' JuVee Productions and the Director of Development at Eugenio Derbez's 3Pas Studios! PLUS! You'll receive an exclusive "Informational Meeting Questions” handout to help prepare you for your meeting with a Creative Executive! ***Flexible Learning: if you cannot attend any of the sessions live don't worry - you will be sent the links to the recordings of each session within 48 hours of the live session and you will have direct access to Liliana Granados on email to ask her any questions so you can keep up at your own pace and schedule.*** Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details As a writer, director, or producer of film and/or television, you will inevitably spend countless hours working with the Creative Executive at the company or studio where your project is set up. Creative Executives play a critical role in getting your project off the ground and are involved in the early stages of project development, script evaluation, casting, budgeting, scheduling, market research, and more. Your Creative Executive can be your best friend, but it’s critical you know how to work with a Creative Executive in order to ensure you get the most out of the relationship. In this exclusive Stage 32 2-part class, you will learn directly from a top Creative Executive on how to approach specific production companies, land meetings with Creative Executives, and how to foster meaningful and productive working relationships with a Creative Executive so your project succeeds. Teaching you everything you need to know to best work with Creative Executives is Liliana Granados, whose illustrious career has woven through the corridors of entertainment alongside luminaries like Viola Davis, Sofia Vergara, and Eugenio Derbez. Liliana worked as a Creative Executive at Viola Davis' JuVee Productions where she executed her passion for developing projects that celebrate culture and diversity. Most notably, Liliana participated in the development of TriStar’s WOMAN KING as well as helping shepherd Amazon and MRC’s upcoming G20 film. Recently, Granados served as the Director of Development at Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios, where she helped build the company's feature film drama department. Over the course of two highly interactive sessions, you will learn the art of crafting a compelling email, understanding the crucial elements that captivate Creative Executives, and how to maximize the impact of your meetings. Liliana will teach you how to delve into the strategic importance of researching a Creative Executive's businesses, identifying causes they are passionate about, and uncovering studio deals and partnerships that align with your projects. You will learn how to navigate your meetings with a Creative Executive with confidence and how to follow up strategically to keep your relationship moving forward. PLUS! You’ll receive an exclusive "Informational Meeting Questions” handout to help prepare you for your meetings with Creative Executives! If you’re interested in bringing your film or television series to life with a reputable production company, that means working closely with Creative Executives, and this class is something you do NOT want to miss. "As an executive with extensive experience across multiple actor-led companies, I've had the privilege of evaluating numerous pitches and contributing insights at various film festival panels, guiding filmmakers through the intricate art of pitching. Whether engaging with emerging creators or seasoned artists, I've witnessed firsthand how crafting a compelling pitch stands as the pivotal selling point for any project. Throughout my career, I've gathered invaluable insights into what resonates with actors when assessing potential projects. This knowledge has been honed through years of immersive industry exposure, enabling me to discern the elements that truly captivate actors and align projects with their aspirations.Now, I'm thrilled to distill this wealth of knowledge into a concise and actionable framework. My aim is to empower you with the strategic tools and insights necessary to elevate your pitch, significantly enhancing your project's potential for success. Together, let's navigate the nuanced landscape of pitching to ensure your project stands out and captures the attention it deserves." - Liliana Granados
If there has been one genre that has stood the test of time throughout the history of the film industry, it's the biopic. True stories about interesting people and events are always in vogue. Studios, indie production companies and the streamers love them because they draw big audiences and awards recognition. Actors love them because it gives them something meaty to chew on and increases their odds for awards success. Many a writer has broken through by writing a screenplay based on true events. And right now, especially with the streamers upping their game, the genre has never been hotter. But to write a killer, non-rote biopic, you need to understand where to find your material, how to secure it, and then how to best tell your version of the story so that it attracts representatives, producers, financiers, and talent. True stories are always popular. Oppenheimer, Nyad, The Social Network, Wolf of Wall Street, 12 Years a Slave, The Theory of Everything, Bohemian Rhapsody, American Sniper, The Two Popes, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, The King's Speech, Dolemite is My Name, The Irishman and Ford Vs. Ferrari were hit films, most were nominated or many won major awards. And those are just a handful of the biopics that have been distributed either theatrically or on streamers. And with the streamers going full force, the studios looking for the sure thing, and the independent community looking for smaller, unknown true stories, the desire for biopic and true story screenplays is only going to grow. Even short form biopics are booming with TV series and limited series based on real people and events all the rage. Tyler Ruggeri is a screenwriter, story consultant, and former literary manager with over a decade of experience on both sides of the entertainment industry. His biopic script The Making of Rock Hudson sold to veteran producers Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler of Maven Pictures. He also adapted the acclaimed non-fiction book Trapped Under the Sea, which led to a series of writing assignments on both original projects and rewrites. He is currently working on a feature for a major studio and developing a limited series. Tyler began his career as a manager at Exile Entertainment, where he represented screenwriters and directors in addition to developing the company’s film/TV slate – among his clients were Academy Award winner Damien Chazelle (La La Land, Whiplash). Other projects he developed with clients sold to A-list producers/financiers. With his vast experience, Tyler not only knows the world of writing biopics, but how to find and secure material as well. He will teach you resources to help you find the right material and how to find the right story for you to tell. He'll show you how to secure intellectual property. He will instruct you on the benefits of wiring an original screenplay vs. an adaptation. He will dig deep into the process of how to shape your story, including how to find your way into the story before you start writing so that your opening is an attention grabber. He will teach you how to do research and how you can do the extra legwork to go deeper into the world of your story. He will dive into 4 tips to join fact with fiction and 4 tips on dramatic license and when and how to use it. Tyler will show you how to creative the best character arcs possible including character motivation, behavior, stakes, and how the characters exist in time and place. He will help you uncover themes and make sure those themes are fleshed out to attract the widest audience possible. He will then discuss how to sell, how to cover yourself legally and much, much more. If you've ever had a passion to tell a story based on a real person or events, Tyler will take you through everything you need to know to secure the IP, protect yourself legally, develop the story, write the screenplay and put yourself in a position to get the material massive attention. PRAISE FOR TYLER'S TEACHINGS: "Legitimately one of the best classes I've ever taken. I've had a story based on a book I've been eyeing forever and didn't know how to go about it. Now I do. What an incredible blueprint to securing, writing, and selling biopics." - Amanda P. "Outstanding in every way." - Marco G. "I'm overcome with gratitude. The best." - Danny C. "I don't think I could be any more inspired." Patricia S.
If you're an independent filmmaker, it's likely you don’t have all of the funds you need to begin or complete your production. In this scenario, you need a film financier to step in and invest equity. While the financier is often hands-off with the actual production, they do have a prominent position in the process. Their assets are your assets, and they need to be protected. Borrowing money is only one step in the process. Assuring your financier that their assets will be protected during the filmmaking and production process is another. If you’re ready to take your film to the next level but aren’t clear on what financiers expect as far as protection when you borrow, you may be at a disadvantage. Protecting money given to you by someone with a vested interest in your film is extremely important. It’s also good business practice. And going into a conversation knowing what they expect before they hand over any equity - can only work in your favor. Your future lender has expectations. Let's delve into how you can always meet those expectations. 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 will teach you how you can keep your financiers protected and explain the 6 different options you should take into consideration when you sit down with a financier for your own project. After explaining what the role of a financier on an independent film usually looks like, he will discuss security interests, completion bonds, escrow accounts, collection accounts, legal representation, and compliance, what each of these look like, and how you can use these to best protect your financier. There are variables for every filmmaking scenario, but David will leave you with a much clearer understanding the role of the financier and how you can keep them happy and safe so that they’ll want to work with you time and time again. Praise for David's Previous Stage 32 Webinars: "David is incredible and lovely and clearly knows his stuff." - Cynthia P. "Eye-opening information. A no-brainer approach that wouldn't be so obvious to the uninitiated." - Gary O. "By far, the best class I've seen on the subject." Kirk K. "David is a fantastic teacher. And what a voice! I could listen to him all day. More importantly, I learned so very much!" - Isabella T.
Find out what buyers and executives need to see in your pitch bible from a producer who's set up projects at HBO, Amazon Prime, AMC, Starz, Sony, Fox, and more. You’ve received plenty of tips on penning your pilot, but how do you actually put together the companion pitch bible that helps sell your show? The opportunities to pitch your project are everywhere, from broadcast networks to streamers. Even here on Stage 32, you can find countless execs looking for new ideas to develop. And you need to be prepared with a pitch bible when those opportunities arise. A pitch bible is a written document that briefly tells an executive everything they need to know about your series in an efficient and engaging way. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, one of our most popular hosts, Anna Henry, will show you exactly what executives want to see in your pitch bible. Anna will walk you through every aspect of what you need to include in your pitch bible, how much time to spend on each element, and how to organize it all in a way that’s easy to follow. Most importantly, she will show you how to include all of this information in a way that shows just how entertaining and exciting your show is and why an executive needs to buy your show today. Anna is an accomplished producer, development executive, and television instructor who teaches writers like you exclusively through Stage 32, including the Netflix & Stage 32 Creating Content for a Global Marketplace Program. Over her lengthy entertainment career, she has pitched and set up projects at AMC, Amazon Prime, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, and OddLot Entertainment, among others. She’s worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and multiple production companies, as well as in management at Andrea Simon Entertainment, where she worked with writers of all experience levels. This webinar with Anna ensures that you know everything that’s needed in your pitch bible so that you’re prepared to sell your project the moment an opportunity arises. Join Anna - and the countless other writers who have benefited from her guidance - to take your project pitch to the next level today. TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION FROM ANNA: "Anna's webinar was fantastic. I am writing my first one hour drama pilot so this webinar was packed with the exact information that I will be immediately putting to use in my rewrite. The slides were clear, concise and informative. The speaker was excellent at conveying the information I needed." -- Bobby C. "It was really great information. Anna was a terrific host, very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information and tips." -- Marla H.
A 4-Part On-Demand Class Exclusively On Stage 32! Learn from international line producer Jess Weiss, who's worked with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Paramount+, and discover how you can manage your project's money and excel in this vital production role. PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts, including budget, schedule, and expense report templates. You have the script. You have the director. You have an idea for the cast. Now, how do you bring it all together and make your project a reality? So how do you make your film in a way that matches your creative vision while not going over time or budget? The answer: you need to have - or to be - a great line producer. In this four-part on-demand class exclusively on Stage 32, you will learn the tried-and-true industry standards and best practices for every production to properly budget, schedule, and manage your film to completion. The line producer oversees your film's money before you even have a penny as they build out the budget used to help sell your project to financiers. They also ensure the money you have is spent in the most responsible way so that you achieve the film you desire. That includes hiring the crew, creating the production schedule, and managing funds throughout the production. You’ll cover all of this over and more while receiving exclusive templates to use on your own productions, including a script breakdown, budget, schedule, and expense report templates. Plus, you’ll be taught by one of the best line producers in the business, Jess Weiss. Jess is an international line producer, film producer, and member of the Producer's Guild of America. She’s a master of budgeting and finding creative ways to make a project happen. Jess has produced projects for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paramount+, Showtime, and more, throughout the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Her films have been selected for international festivals worldwide, with recent screenings at Tribeca, SXSW, and Camerimage. Her recent producing credits include THE HONEYMOON PHASE, starring François Chau and Tara Westwood; THE SUBJECT starring Jason Biggs, Aunjanue Ellis, and Anabelle Acosta; and AMERICAN INSURRECTION, starring Nadine Malouf, Michael Raymond James, and Toby Leonard Moore, which was voted a top 5 action movie to watch by the New York Times. She's worked with top-tier Hollywood talent, including Jane Campion, Kirsten Dunst, Javier Bardem, Common, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and countless others. Jess will show you the tips and tricks she’s learned from over 10 years of production experience. PLUS! as an added bonus - you'll get: a script breakdown a sample budget a sample schedule expense report templates for your own projects By the end of this class, you’ll have the tools you need to make and manage your film's finances until your project is complete on time and on budget. This class is now available on-demand and we highly recommend doing the assignments between each session to get the most out of the educational experience. "It's a huge responsibility and rewarding, getting people back to work and getting their paychecks again, and being able to actually lessen their anxiety and have people tell me that they feel safe because I’m there." -- Jess Weiss
It seems like every day another film festival launches or expands. Specialty festivals are becoming all the rage and major, established festivals have been expanding to accept shorts, digital shorts, documentaries, television pilots, specialty genre content and content focused on diversity. With the market growing, so are the number of submissions to any given festival, especially those which are producing results for the connections of the accepted films. You want to make sure your screenplay is on point, that the story is a fit for the style of the festival you are entering and that the film grabs a judge's attention from the get go. Part of assuring you have a festival darling film is understanding the festival landscape, knowing the right players and making connections that assure your film is being viewed by the decision makers. But this all starts, as it always does, with the script. A majority of screenwriters do not write big budget tentpole blockbusters. They tell more intimate, character driven stories. And these are the kind of stories that most festivals adore. But why do some of these scripts attract financing, producers, and, ultimately, the attention of festival directors while others fall through the cracks? As a writer and/or producer, how can you identify the aspects of your screenplay that might be killing your chances of festival success and fix them before filming begins? And how can filmmakers and producers assure, even if they have a winning film based on a fantastic script in place, that they are entering the right festivals and navigating the circuit correctly? There is a chemistry to all of it. A mixture of the creative and the business side of things. It's imperative that you have an understanding of both. Maren Olson has represented domestic and/or worldwide distribution rights to over 70 finished films, including Academy Award winner The Secret in Their Eyes, festival favorites such as An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, Natural Selection and Red Flag, and Sundance Audience Award winners This is Martin Bonner, Valley of Saints and Kinyarwanda. As a producer, she was responsible for critically lauded Short Term 12, which premiered at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival, where it won both the Grand Jury and Audience Awards. The film went on to win 19 other awards including the Gotham Award for Best Actress and Independent Spirit Award for Best Editing. Maren currently works in the film finance division of CAA, and was formerly the President of Traction Media, where she was responsible for the creative development, packaging, production, financing and sale of independent films. To say she understands all the ins and outs of the festival circuit, what festivals look for and how they operate would be a massive understatement. Maren will teach you what kind of independent film project goes on to become a “Festival Darling” and what you can do to better position your independent film for festival success, from script to screen. She will deconstruct both the writing stage- from the major components of a festival-friendly story idea, to what to consider regarding location and characters, all the way to how to incorporate thinking about the budget when writing your script- as well as the production stage – from how to make sure your film gets properly considered by the right people, to which festivals you should submit to and when, all the way to the common ways festival friendly scripts turn into a film that no festival wants to play. She will teach you the 3 components of a festival-friendly story idea and why you must answer yes to each. She will talk budget, shooting locations and when the proper time is to bring on a producer. She will explain the mistakes people make and demystify the myths people believe when navigating the festival circuit. She will go over common pitfalls screenwriters, filmmakers and producers make that can be fatal when submitting to festivals. Maren will give you the tools to get traction on your project. She will lay out, in clear, precise terms, how to assure your project is given the best opportunity to become a "Festival Darling." PRAISE FOR MAREN'S TEACHINGS: "Excellent - informative. Maren brought facts and experience to a very nuanced subject about "Film Festival Darlings - offering an extremely in-depth analysis to the elements of what a writer or producer should consider when moving forward in the Indie film world. My fav Stage 32 webinar so far. Thanks." - Robert G. "Fantastic seminar. Like a good filmmaker, you kept us engaged from opening to close. Thanks again!" - Bob B. "Maren had a lot of practical information and road trap warning for indies. I appreciated the components of a festival face, comps, and specific advice that is useful." - Betty S.