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
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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
Learn how to make Instagram work for you - get in front of casting directors and make income as an influencer! Exclusive 3 HOUR ONLINE CLASS with Rachel Paulson It's no secret that one of social media's most visual mediums, Instagram, is where actors and casting directors hang out. Yet, with thousands of profiles in a casting director's scroll, how do you stand out? Instagram is a powerful tool for you as an actor, one, that if harnessed correctly, can land you in front of the right casting directors plus give you opportunities to earn extra income from brand deals. So, where do you even start to build your brand on social media and how do you leverage it to start getting seen by the right people and start making money while doing it? We can help you get there. Rachel Paulson has grown up in a family of Hollywood royalty. She and her sisters, Emmy-winner Sarah Paulson (AMERICAN CRIME STORY, OCEAN'S 8) and Liz Paulson (SVP of Casting for FOX) have worked together for decades to learn every aspect of acting and casting and how to put yourself in the best position to stand out and book the job. Over her career, Rachel has worked on both sides of acting - both as a casting director as well as talent. In addition, she has been certified in social media and how you can use it to put yourself in a position to win. She is currently making a living through her social media endorsement deals and is the star of the Go Magazine series DATING ZOE, the host of the video series Drink Responsibly with Rachel Paulson, and the co-host of the podcast Gay vs. Straight Bitches with One Tree Hill alum, Lindsey McKeon. She also stars as the lead in the LGBTQ drama film GOOD KISSER on Hulu. Rachel is working exclusively with the Stage 32 acting community to mentor you and help you learn how to use Instagram to help your career. You will have the opportunity to work in an intimate setting with Rachel in an extended 3 HOUR ONLINE CLASS. You will walk away from this class with all the tools you need to work the Instagram algorithms and get seen on Casting Director's feeds, PLUS you will learn how to work with brands to supplement your income as an actor. Volunteers will be given sides and information on a product and Rachel will help coach you on how to secure a deal with the brand. Whether you’re new to acting and looking for your foot in the door, or an experienced actor who has had trouble navigating social media and building an online presence, Rachel will give you the tools and strategies you’ve been looking for and an avenue for finding acting opportunities you might have not even considered before. "I have been in the industry for over ten years, I’ve worked as an actor in commercials, as a casting director and run sessions. I have also worked IN social media, running the pages of several brands. I have started to realize why brands and companies are heading towards social media for all the new advertising tools, and what that means for you as actors." -Rachel Paulson
It's hard to get past the gatekeepers and know your script is in a decision maker's hands. If a writer's sample script is excellent enough, the pieces start to fall into place: an entire script read, the writer recommended, the manager's decision to represent, the long and fruitful thousand-mile career. If a producer's script is perfect for the marketplace, a reader will get excited, move it up the ladder and then the wheels start in motion for finding financing, attaching talent and going into pre-production. None of it happens, though, if the script never makes it to the decision maker's desk. While the agents and managers of Hollywood excel at their jobs, they only have so much time in the day and most of it is not spent seeking out new talent. That job falls to the "Gatekeepers", the assistants and pro readers who tackle stacks of scripts every week hoping to find the diamond in the rough: a script they can confidently recommend. So, who are these gatekeepers, how do you even get to them and, more importantly, how do you win their endorsement to help move your script up the ladder? It's time to find out. Gabriel Chu works with artists, writers, and directors to identify and develop new ideas and stories, shepherding them from page to screen. As a story analyst at Sony Pictures, he works on current projects alongside the executive team and helps to field incoming submissions and identify new talent for the studio. Prior to joining Sony Pictures, he was an executive at Vertigo Entertainment, working closely with award winning directors and writers on both animated and live action film projects for Warner Bros., Lionsgate, and Fox Animation. Gabriel started his career at Bad Hat Harry Productions, and has also worked at Summit Entertainment and Mandalay Pictures. Through his career, Gabriel has served as a gatekeeper in multiple roles and knows intimately what it takes for a script to break through and make it to the right person’s desk, and he’s ready to share what he knows with the Stage 32 community. Gabriel will give you a rundown of how gatekeepers manage script submissions and what you can do to give your own script the best chance to be noticed and make it past those first rounds of coverage to make it to the eyeballs you’re aiming for. Gabriel will begin by explaining how scripts are able to get submitted to studios and other gatekeepers in the first place, including through agents and manager, through script competitions, other types of referrals, and through networking. He will also explain how taking the assistant route at an agency could help your chances of getting that script noticed. Next he’ll outline how coverage actually works at production companies and studios. He’ll explain the differences between the procedures at production companies, studios, and other organizations and what their differing expectations might be. He’ll delve into what roles read your script at what point in the process, focusing on the verticals at production companies and studios. He’ll explain the roles of interns and assistants, coordinators, story analysts, and finally executives, and what each role looks for when reading scripts. Gabriel will teach you the common formatting errors that knock scripts out of the running before people even start reading for content, including title page expectations, font and spacing, dialogue formatting, and other issues. He will share real examples of scripts that exhibit these errors to share what they look like on the page. Next he will go over narrative issues that can also sideline a submitted script. Finally, he’ll share other strategies that can make your script stand out to readers in these positions. Through demystifying the process of script reading and coverage as well as the people behind it, Gabriel will leave you with a concrete sense of how to get your script in front of the people you want to read it, and practical ways to help your chances. Praise for Gabriel's Stage 32 Webinar: I was very pleased with the webinar. The speaker got right to the point and explained exactly how the screenplay selling process works. Steven W. I loved how Gabriel didn't pull any punches and gave a realistic assessment of the realities of breaking into the industry as a writer. -Peter M. I loved this webinar because Gabriel talked about a variety of things from how to approach agents/managers/producers, to what not to do in a script. I learned a lot! -Melissa P. Amazing. I liked the "no sugar coating" approach. -Candice E.
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.
Join A Prolific Producer Of Movies Based On Books Including THE CATCHER WAS A SPY and THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY Some of the most well regarded recent feature films and television shows were based on books, including the Oscar-nominated Little Women, JoJo Rabbit, The Two Popes, The Irishman and the Emmy-nominated Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, Fosse/Verdon, Sharp Objects and many more. Authors spend months, if not years, formulating characters and worlds that make it onto the printed page. This creativity serves as great source material that would translate greatly to the big or small screen. If you're an author who's written a novel and are looking to get it adapted, a screenwriter that's written a script based off a book you have (or would like to obtain) the rights to, or a producer or financier who has the rights or are circling securing the rights to a property you believe would make a great film or TV show, you need to understand the steps to take to obtain the rights, protect yourself legally, and make the development process a smooth and enjoyable ride. Discovering an adaptation-worthy story can be as simple as stumbling across an interesting book or article at a bookstore, library or newsstand. Understanding how to obtain the rights and develop that material effectively is the harder part. It takes meticulous planning and approach to be able to get the rights to the desired intellectual property and successfully adapt and develop the material. Many factors go into getting an adaptation to the screen including negotiations, legal hurdles and making sure you're staying authentic to the source material. Once misstep and it could derail an amazing project. You need to be prepared. Jim Young has produced films adapted off of books and intellectual property such as The Catcher Was a Spy (starring Paul Rudd), Lovelace (starring James Franco, Sharon Stone, and Amanda Seyfried) and The Man Who Knew Infinity (starring Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons, Toby Jones, and Stephen Fry) and Life of King (starring Cuba Gooding Jr.). He's had his films premiere at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW and has earned himself a reputation of being an expert in adaptations. Through years of working with authors, publishers, talent, financiers and distributors Jim knows how to adapt a book into a film and TV series from start to finish. Jim will teach you how to acquire the rights to a book you're interested and go over where to look for title, how to approach the author and publisher and how to close the deal. He'll give advice on the story development process and how to engage the author during that time, as well as tips on how to avoid liability. You'll learn two essential people you must have in your pre-production phase and how to work with the cast, crew and author on set. You will get insider tips on what to do before your film or TV show hits the screen to gain momentum for your project. And, finally, Jim will give you six legal elements to have in place prior to your project's release. PRAISE FOR JIM'S TEACHINGS: "Thanks Jim, your insight was invaluable" --Michele E. "I listened to this from the perspective of a comercially published author. I learned so much. Many Thanks" -- Lucy S.
Once you sell your TV show to a network the real work begins as you have to deftly navigate your project forward through development and production to become a successful series on the air! You will learn every step of this intense process from Peter McDonough, who has worked in the writers' room of the hit CBS series GHOSTS since the first day of development. PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help with your own pilot writing including access to the pilot script for GHOSTS! Congratulations! You’ve accomplished your dream and sold your pilot script to a television network… now what happens? Many writers are unaware of the huge amount of work that’s still left to do after selling a television show to a network. As a creator, you will be in charge of much more than just driving the creative direction of the show's story. Creating a television show requires staffing, auditions, meetings with the network, managing multiple arms of production, and many other responsibilities that take place behind the scenes. All before shooting even the first scene! As the series creator, you will be tasked with working with the network to address a slew of questions and decisions before, during, and after shooting. What production roles need to be hired? What creative decisions need to be prioritized? How does the audition process work? When do you hire a writing staff? How much time do you have to make these decisions? While it may sound daunting, there is a pragmatic process to developing a television show and aiming it for a network run. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn how your television script turns into a hit TV show on air. Teaching you the process that series creators and showrunners go through is Peter McDonough, the Showrunner's Assistant on the CBS hit show GHOSTS. Peter was the first employee hired on the show and has first-hand experience in advancing the show from a pilot order to multi-season series order on CBS’ Thursday Night Primetime lineup. In this information-packed webinar, Peter will take you through each stage of a television show’s development. Starting from the day a network orders a pilot script into production through a successful first season and to the premiere of a second season. You will learn the different stages of development, production, and distribution that a network series goes through so you can confidently prepare yourself and navigate the intricate process of network television once you sell your show to a network. PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you navigate the world of network television. You will walk away from this webinar understanding the entire process of taking your original TV series idea and taking it all the way to becoming a hit so that you know what to expect when you sell your series to a network! "I am thrilled for the opportunity to share my professional experience in Network Television with Stage 32's creative community. As a former recipient of Stage 32's services, I feel honored to provide some insight that will benefit the next generation of television writers. I look forward to seeing all the writers and hope to give you any info you need to help pursue your professional television goals." - Peter McDonough