Latest Blogs

Happy Monday, Stage 32 Community! The past few months have seen market trends shift dramatically, with budgets increasing and major players leaving the low-budget space, making more room for indie producers to carve out their own niche. This is why it's more critical than ever that filmmakers understand what producers are looking for in order to team up with the right partner. Finding The Right Producer To Fit Your Genre & Style As a screenwriter, you've poured your heart into crafting...

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 StudioBinder: Post Production Sound for Film — How to Make Your Movie Sound Great! There’s a saying in film that goes something like this: audiences will forgive a grainy shot...

Over the last 20 years, I have employed a lot of people for crew positions on features that I have produced and directed. As much as I would love to say I use the same crew every time, unfortunately, that is not always the case. When starting out, the logical choice of course is to hire people with the most credits on their resume, however, that is not necessarily the smartest approach. As I reflect back on the films I have crewed, I have learned a few things that I would like to pass along to y...

Yep. MAGPIE FUNERAL, a recent film of mine, was almost dead on arrival. But hey, what independent film can’t say that? Here are three crazy stories about MAGPIE FUNERAL, now streaming on TubiTV, Amazon Video, YouTube, and Google Play. Story One: TIMING IS EVERYTHING. John T. Sweeney, Magpie Funeral’s producer, insisted that the production must start in mid-October of that year. I had the following January in mind. But John persisted. He explained it was imperative principal photography co...

This was the first and last question I was asked as a student in film school. Is it something that we see on a big screen? That can’t possibly be the answer, you can see just about anything on a “big screen” these days and most cinematic experiences now happen in your home. I remember playing Metal Gear Solid on my PlayStation and remarking that it was quite a “cinematic experience.” Yet, when I watch the news, I don’t feel like it’s a cinematic experience. So, in this, I can understand the d...

Ever been to - or coordinated - a wedding? A special birthday party? Perhaps a charity event, musical concert, or film festival? More than likely, you have benefited from a wonderful person employing Location Scouting for a truly enjoyable experience. Or possibly been rudely introduced to the perils of poor Location Scouting when you couldn’t park, packed all the wrong things, and couldn’t find a clean bathroom. Preparing for a film shoot is not too dissimilar from any other live event. But be...

Happy Tuesday, Creative Army! We’re keeping the momentum going this summer by continuing to bring Cannes to you, one powerhouse panel at a time. As you know, Stage 32 proudly celebrated our 10th anniversary partnering with the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival this May. Our programming featured some of the most influential and innovative minds in the business, sharing unfiltered knowledge on what it really takes to get your projects made in today’s ever-changing industry. Today, I...

Hello Stage 32 Community! I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Stage 32 Brand Ambassador for Poland! I’m a film producer, editor, and President of Women in Film & Television Poland, and I had the pleasure of connecting with the Stage 32 team this year at the Cannes Film Festival. My film journey began in Los Angeles, and over the years, I’ve produced internationally recognized projects that have screened at festivals from Cannes to Berlinale to Mumbai. I’m especially passionate about...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Hope your July 4th weekend has been full of laughter, fireworks, and just enough peace to let those creative gears turn. Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got something for you today that blends entertainment, education, and a little bit of “how not to do it.” So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. This week’s featured video comes from the team at It Was A Sh*t Show, a brilliantly irreverent and informative se...

To have or not to have production insurance- the most important question. Short answer? YES. Always, yes. Production insurance is a necessary part of the production process that many independent creators love to avoid, whether to “save” money or avoid all the paperwork. However, much like car, health, and any other business insurance, it is a MUST! What does production insurance do? It covers rentals, liability, injuries while on set, vehicles operated on set, and even copyright claims. If p...