Happy Sunday, Creative Army!

Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got something energizing for you today. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in.

This week’s featured video is an incredible deep-dive from Vanity Fair where James Cameron breaks down every film he’s made, from The Terminator all the way to Avatar: The Way of Water. If you need a jolt of inspiration, this conversation delivers. Cameron talks openly about starting from “less than zero,” getting fired, living off coupons, and deciding the only way forward was to create something only he could make. That mentality shaped The Terminator, Aliens, Titanic, Avatar — all of it.

What stood out to me is how he frames his entire career around a single idea: Take people on a journey. Make the experience matter. Budget or no budget, approval or no approval, Cameron built his path through curiosity, problem-solving, and a willingness to reinvent himself every time. That’s something every creative can learn from — especially right now, when the landscape keeps shifting under our feet.

And that brings me to something I’ve been talking about a lot lately: your pitch.

After hundreds of hours listening to creatives pitch their projects, here’s the one thing that never fails: Start by being human.

Before you jump into your logline, take two seconds to talk to the person across from you. Congratulate them on a recent film. Mention an article about their company. Show them you did your homework. It’s simple, but almost no one does it. Executives notice.

Then, when you transition into your pitch, be clear about:

• the format
• the genre
• and most importantly, why this story matters to you

Make it personal. Make it human. It’s the easiest way to stand out in a crowded day of back-to-back pitches.

And when you wrap up, finish with: “I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.”

James Cameron built a career by taking risks long before he had resources. You can do the same.

What’s the one leap you’re ready to take — even if you’re not 100% comfortable yet? A new script? A pitch? A cold email? A collaboration you’ve been circling for months?

Drop it in the comments. The more you share, the more someone else will have the courage to leap too.

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

Vanity Fair | Every James Cameron Movie, Explained by James Cameron

RBWalksIntoABar | Make Your Pitch Human!

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