Happy Sunday, Creative Army!

Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in.

This week’s featured video comes from Film Stack: When an Actor Didn’t Care About Fame.

Viggo Mortensen didn’t become an actor to chase fame, he became one to tell stories. He didn’t “make it big” until his forties, and even then, he refused to sell out. Throughout the 80s and 90s, Viggo worked in smaller, more intimate projects until The Lord of the Rings changed everything. Cast at the last minute as Aragorn, he threw himself into the role, breaking toes on set, doing nearly all his own stunts, and even carrying his sword everywhere he went.

The trilogy made him a household name, but fame was never the point. Instead of chasing bigger paychecks or joining new franchises, Viggo chose passion projects: A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, Captain Fantastic. He transformed himself for every role, starving for The Road, overindulging for Green Book, and collected Oscar nominations along the way. For Viggo, acting, painting, writing, and music were all just different ways to express himself. It was never about being seen. It was about doing the work and letting the work speak.

That brings me to something I said recently during a Stage 32 Writer’s Room Happy Hour Q&A, opportunity is everywhere right now, and the people who are thriving are the ones who understand that.

I’ve taken scripts that were written and set in New York, stories that felt very New York, and I’ve sent them overseas. And you know what I heard? “We could do this in Paris.” “We could shoot this in Berlin.” “We could adapt this for London.” And they were right. Because the truth is, the setting doesn’t matter nearly as much as the story does. What matters is whether audiences can see themselves in your characters, whether they can recognize those flaws, those truths, those moments of humanity. That’s what connects people across cultures.

Over the last year, I’ve seen more and more creatives and executives embrace this mindset. Writers, directors, and producers who once said, “I don’t know about going international,” are now setting meetings with companies in Poland, France, South Korea, and beyond. They’re realizing that the playing field is global, and that expanding your perspective gives you a competitive advantage.

The lines between domestic and international markets are blurring. What used to be considered “foreign” is now just storytelling. The old guard may still be holding on to the past, but the future? It’s borderless. So my advice to you: don’t limit yourself. Don’t tell yourself that your New Mexico story can’t find a home in France, or that your character-driven drama can’t resonate in Italy or Japan. The world is open and it’s looking for new voices. If you’re not reaching out, if you’re not building those global relationships, you’re missing out on opportunities that could completely change your trajectory.

Both Viggo Mortensen’s career and the global film market have one thing in common: they reward authenticity and courage. Viggo didn’t chase trends; he stayed true to his creative instincts. The same goes for the filmmakers, writers, and producers who are stepping beyond borders to share their work with the world.

So here’s my question for you this week:

If you could take your current project anywhere in the world, any country, any culture, where would it thrive, and why?

As always, here at Stage 32, we love sharing stories and knowledge with our fellow film fans. Know someone who would love this content? Share it with them! You can keep up with all of our videos by subscribing to the Stage 32 YouTube Channel. For more inspirational, educational, and motivational content on all things entertainment industry, follow me on Instagram and X @rbwalksintoabar.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and creative Sunday.

Cheers,

RB

FilmStack | When an Actor Didn’t Care About Fame

RBWalksIntoABar | Going International!

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