Hi, Stage 32ers!

This past month was a busy and exciting time as our Stage 32 Team worked to bring in as many new resources and opportunities as possible to enrich your experience here at Stage 32!

Moving forward, we want to share these exciting updates with you as we engage with new Industry Leaders, Executives, and Educators to provide you all with diverse experiences, perspectives, and wisdom.

At Stage 32 you have direct access to pros who helped develop, produce, distribute, direct, compose, represent, and write projects like A WOMAN KING, DOPESICK, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE, SWEETWATER, BILLY KNIGHT, SHARKNADO, KING OF THE HILL, WACO: AMERICAN APOCALYPSE, SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN, and many more.

So without further ado, let's roll out the red carpet and welcome some of the fantastic new people joining our Stage 32 Community! Be sure to leave them your words of welcome in the comments below.

New Stage 32 Educators

Martin Guigui, Award-Winning Writer/Director/Composer of SWEETWATER

Martin Guigui is an award-winning Filmmaker, Music Director, Producer, and Composer. Guigui has directed, written, and produced Feature Films, Music Videos, composed music for film and TV, worked on 130+ productions, produced over 50 music albums, toured extensively, and Music Directs high profile Broadcast Concert Events including the popular GUITAR LEGENDS and AMERICA SALUTES YOU, TV Series. Guigui is Co-Founder and President of Sunset Pictures, and EVP of Pacific Records.

Guigui has won numerous “Best Director” Awards, Grammy-nominated, Billboard Awards, ASCAP Awards, United Nations Award, Caesar Award, Golden Spirit Award, Estabrook Award, twice honored by City Of Los Angeles for artistic contributions to music education, Martin produces and music directs broadcast shows for Veteran causes, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Endangered Species, and Prevention Of Child Abuse. Guigui helped organize and Music Directed the iconic ONE AMERICA Concert Event hosted by the 5 living U.S. Presidents raising $45 Million Dollars for Hurricane relief. Martin is a contributing author to the book “After Shock” (50th anniversary of “Future Shock”).

Martin will be teaching the upcoming webinar, The Writer-Director Blueprint: Taking Your Film From Concept to Distribution, starting on June 6th.

Tiller Russell, Acclaimed Documentary Filmmaker (Waco: American Apocalypse)

Acclaimed writer, director, and producer Tiller Russell creates character-driven films that defy genre and explore the human condition in riveting, complex, and unexpected stories. Having established himself as one of the top documentary filmmakers, his latest three-part doc series WACO: AMERICAN APOCALYPSE premiered at #1 on Netflix and remained in the Top 10 for 2 weeks. Prior to that, his four-part doc series, NIGHT STALKER: THE HUNT FOR A SERIAL KILLER, was a Top 10 hit on Netflix and received critical acclaim. SILK ROAD, the larger-than-life thriller that Tiller wrote and directed about the illegal Dark Net website and its 29-year-old kingpin creator Ross Ulbrich, was acquired by Lionsgate in late 2020 for theatrical and VOD distribution. The film is based on the Rolling Stone article “Dead End On Silk Road” and stars Jason Clark, Nick Robinson, Paul Walter Hauser, and Alexandra Shipp. Tiller’s previous documentary series, THE LAST NARC, details the infamous 1985 cartel murder of DEA agent ‘Kiki’ Camarena and is now streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime.

Additional directorial credits include OPERATION ODESSA, which premiered at SXSW in 2018. It tells the true story of a Russian mobster, a Miami playboy, and a Cuban spy who teamed up in the early ’90s to sell a Soviet submarine to the Cali Cartel. The film currently holds a 100% fresh Critics Score and a 90% fresh Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Tiller will be teaching the upcoming webinar, How To Develop A Documentary TV Mini-Series For A Major Streamer, starting on June 27th.

Tuesday Lewis-Harris, Producer/Writer/Actress (BILLY KNIGHT starring Al Pacino)

Tuesday Lewis-Harris is a producer, writer, and actress who got her start in the industry in front of the camera and now makes things happen behind the camera. Tuesday recently produced the feature film BILLY KNIGHT, starring Al Pacino, Charlie Heaton, and Diane Silver. Through Lewis & Harris Productions, Tuesday is developing original content to introduce diverse storylines relatable to viewers worldwide. She recently also produced THE FIRST NOELLE, which streamed #2 on BET+. She received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Ashford University. While enrolled, she launched her non-profit organization, G.I.F.T.E.D- an organization geared towards at-risk girls with its mission being mentorship through performing arts.

Tuesday holds a Master of Arts in Producing from New York Film Academy. Before shifting into film, Tuesday worked as a school educator and in corporate America for major Fortune 100 companies. She has also worked as a creative executive at Autumn Bailey Entertainment, where she has developed scripts for MGM, BET, and other major studios.

Tuesday will be teaching the upcoming 4-part class, How to Package, Pitch and Sell Your Feature Film, starting on June 17th.

Thunder Levin, Screenwriter/Director (SHARKNADO)

Thunder Levin is a feature film and television writer/director. He is probably best known as the creator of the pop culture phenomenon SHARKNADO series of TV movies for Syfy Channel. He was born and raised in New York City and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Film from NYU before moving to Los Angeles at age 23. He has written and directed four feature films: MUTANT VAMPIRE ZOMBIES FROM THE 'HOOD!, an independent horror/comedy starring C. Thomas Howell; AMERICAN WARSHIPS a military action film starring Mario Van Peebles & Carl Weathers for the Syfy Channel; AE APOCALYPSE EARTH, a science fiction film starring Adrian Paul & Richard Grieco; and GEODISASTER a disaster film released in 2017.

He has written over a dozen produced feature films & TV movies, and collaborated on a videogame adaptation of the classic 90's TV series XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS for Universal’s “Series” mobile app. Thunder lives in Santa Monica, CA but considers himself a “temporarily misassigned New Yorker”. He is developing several TV series, feature film projects, and a comic book series. He’s a lifelong sailor and car enthusiast who’s recently taken up motorcycle riding and is at work on his first novel.

Thunder will be teaching the upcoming Screenwriting Lab, Write Your Franchise Launching Feature Film Script In 8 Weeks, starting June 10th.

Sivert Glarum, Showrunner/ Producer (HBO Max, FOXTV, NBC, CBS, Nick at Nite & more)

Sivert Glarum has written and produced 1/2-hour tv comedies for the past 25 years. Getting his first staff writer job on NBC's JUST SHOOT ME, he went on to write and co-executive produce KING OF THE HILL, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, OUT OF PRACTICE, WILFRED, LOPEZ, and currently TACOMA FD. In addition, he's run three shows: MARON (IFC), GLENN MARTIN DDS (Nick at Nite), and RHETT & LINK'S BUDDY SYSTEM (Youtube Red).

Sivert will be teaching the upcoming Screenwriting Lab, Write Your Animated TV Pilot In 8 Weeks, starting June 24th.

New Stage 32 Executives

Jake Wagner, Literary Manager (Alibi Management)

Jake Wagner is one of the most respected literary managers working in the business today. Jake has also been one of the top-selling spec script managers of the last decade. Jake was responsible for the largest spec sale of the last 10 years (and one of the biggest in history), with SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN which sold to Universal Pictures. After an illustrious and celebrated career at Benderspink and Good Fear and Film + Management, Jake is now the owner of Alibi Management. Jake’s clients have made some of the most popular recent horror films including POLAROID, CRAWL and CHILD'S PLAY.

Jake's most recent project, BAGHEAD is currently in post-production and it was written by Stage 32 member, Christina Pamies, who was hired through connections that she made by participating in Stage 32 consultations!

Jake is on Stage 32 offering First 10 Pages Review and Career Development Calls, but he is at this time fully sold-out. Be sure to check back soon for more availability!

Patrick Callan, Producer (Spiral Staircase Prod., Concordia Studio, Amazon Studios)

Patrick Callan is an Executive Producer under his new banner Spiral Staircase Productions. Most recently he served as VP Narrative Film & TV Development at Concordia Studio, which produced STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie, the documentary BOYS STATE, TIME with Amazon Studios, and the BAFTA nominated film SWAN SONG starring Mahershala Ali distributed by Apple TV+. The independent production company was founded by Jonathan King (Oscar Winning Films: SPOTLIGHT, DREAMGIRLS, ROMA, and the Emmy Winning show WHEN THEY SEE US), Davis Guggenheim (Oscar Winning TRAINING DAY and Emmy Winning HE NAMED ME MALALA), and Laurene Powell Jobs (produced over 2 dozen films and series).

Previously, Patrick was an executive at Amazon Studios in development and current series, where he oversaw Golden Globe and Emmy-winning MOZART IN THE JUNGLE, THE TICK, JEAN-CLAUDE VAN JOHNSON, RED OAKS, and Greg Daniels' series UPLOAD.

You can meet with Patrick about your feature here, or your pilot here. All Genres!

Will Levine, Producer (Montecito Pictures, Sony Tri-Star, United Talent Agency)

Will Levine is an independent producer who most recently was a film & TV development executive at the late Ivan Reitman’s Montecito Pictures, which produced GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE starring Paul Rudd, NO STRINGS ATTACHED starring Natalie Portman, and BAYWATCH starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron among their more than 30 titles to their credit.

While at Montecito Pictures he worked on projects including the GHOSTBUSTERS franchise, Disney+’s GODMOTHERED, TRIPLETS (the long-awaited follow-up to TWINS), Sony’s Shania Twain biopic SHANIA! (2021 Blacklist), the untitled Ronny Chieng martial arts comedy (Sony), and a TV adaptation of the 1992 film BEETHOVEN. Prior to Montecito, he worked at Sony TriStar and United Talent Agency.

You can meet with Will about your feature here.

Vincent Grashaw, Director/ Producer/ Editor/ Writer (THE PALE BLUE EYE starring Christian Bale)

Vincent Grashaw is in post-production on his 4th feature film, BANG BANG, starring Tim Blake Nelson. He is slated to direct his 5th film, KEEP QUIET, this Fall 2023. Vincent previously Co-Executive Produced the film THE PALE BLUE EYE, which starred Oscar Winning Christian Bale released by Netflix. Grashaw’s third feature film at the helm, WHAT JOSIAH SAW, starred Robert Patrick. It premiered at Fantasia International Film Festival and garnered several awards throughout its festival run and holds a 90% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Shudder released the film and has since been named on several lists as one of the top horror films of 2022 by Rotten Tomatoes, Letterboxd, and many critics. Before that, he directed his sophomore feature, AND THEN I GO, starring Justin Long and Melanie Lynskey. The story is an adaptation of the acclaimed novel PROJECT X by Jim Shepard. The film premiered at the LA FILM FESTIVAL and was distributed by The Orchard. Vincent wrote and directed his debut feature, COLDWATER, which premiered at SXSW and was distributed by Breaking Glass Pictures.

What started it all was when he first broke onto the scene as producer/editor/actor of the independent feature film, BELLFLOWER, which was one of the most buzzed about films to premiere at Sundance. The film went on to play SXSW and garnered several awards, including two Film Independent Spirit Award nominations; for Best Cinematography and a nom to Grashaw for the John Cassavetes Award. The film was distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories and listed among 30 media outlets as one of the “Top 10 Films of 2011”.

Vincent is on Stage 32 offering First 10 Pages Review and Career Development Calls, but he is at this time fully sold-out. Be sure to check back soon for more availability!

Liliana Granados, Producer (JuVee Prod., 3Pas Studios, Latin World Ent.)

For nearly a decade Liliana Granados has worked in producing and development with some of the industry's top companies including JuVee Productions (Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis' company), NBC Casting, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Sofia Vergara's Latin World Entertainment. Most recently she served as the Director of Development for Eugenio Derbez's 3Pas Studios focusing on feature film drama projects.

Most recently, Liliana helped develop TriStar’s THE WOMAN KING directed by Gina Prince-Blythewood, starring Oscar-winner Viola Davis and scored by Stage 32 Educator, Oscar-nominated Terence Blanchard, as well as helped shepherd Amazon and MRC’s upcoming G20 film directed by Patricia Riggin and written by Noah and Logan Miller. Prior to producing Liliana worked in international film financing at CAA and Sierra-Infinity.

Send Liliana your pilot here, or your feature here to discuss your work!

Marcos Sotelo, Creative Executive (Small Victory Prod.)

Marcos Sotelo is an executive at Small Victory Productions, Lili Reinhart’s production company with a first-look deal at Amazon Studios. Prior to that, Marcos was in the film & TV production/development department at Universal Music Group where he worked on a variety of music-driven content, such as THE BEE GEES for HBO Max, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND for Apple, and THE GO-GO’s for Showtime. Prior to UMG, Marcos was an agent trainee at William Morris Endeavor in the Motion Picture Literary & Production departments. Marcos graduated from Hamilton College and is from San Diego, California.

Send your feature to Marcos here, or your pilot here!

Brad Kessell, Producer (Gold Circle Films)

Brad Kessell worked as a VP under Ms. Lansing at Paramount for many years, where he also ran the Story Department. At Paramount, Brad worked on scores of pictures including INDECENT PROPOSAL, FIRST WIVES CLUB, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, TIMELINE, and many others. He was fortunate enough to work with directors as diverse and talented as Francis Coppola, Billy Friedkin, Adrian Lyne, Dick Donner, and Phillip Kaufman and such legendary producers as Sherry Lansing (FATAL ATTRACTION), Scott Rudin, Alan Ladd Jr., Mace Neufeld, David Picker, Gale Ann Hurd, Lauren Shuler Donner, and Robert Evans.

After nearly 20 years at Paramount, Brad segued to work at Gold Circle, one of the most long-lived and successful independent film financiers in the business. There, he contributed his development skills to Gold Circle's slate which emphasized mainly comedies and supernatural horror films. Brad produced or had a significant hand in developing such pictures as the WHITE NOISE franchise, THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT, WEDDING DATE, BECAUSE I SAID SO, LIFE AS WE KNOW IT, THE FOURTH KIND, PITCH PERFECT 1 and 2, GREEK WEDDING 2, THE NEW DAUGHTER, I STILL SEE YOU, and recently, Lionsgate’s Halloween 2022 release PREY FOR THE DEVIL. In March, Focus/Universal released CHAMPIONS, an inspirational, feel-good comedy Brad developed and produced, starring Woody Harrelson and directed by Bobby Farrelly, to wide popular acclaim.

Send your feature to Brad here, and meet with him!

Chloe Burnitz, Development Coordinator (Goldwyn/Rosenfelt Productions)

Chloe Burnitz is a Development Coordinator at Goldwyn/Rosenfelt Productions under Emmy-nominated producers John Goldwyn and Karen Rosenfelt, who most recently served as Executive Producers on the Hulu series DOPESICK. Goldwyn/Rosenfelt Productions has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Television where Chloe oversees and consults on all television projects in development. Under Karen Rosenfelt and Sunswept Entertainment, Chloe also oversees the development and production of projects such as THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY with Amazon Prime and LITTLE WING for Paramount+.

Prior to joining Goldwyn/Rosenfelt Productions, Chloe worked at ICM Partners/CAA under MP Talent Agent Toni Howard. She managed over 30 clients and worked closely with A-list talent such as Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson, and Catherine O’Hara. Chloe started her career at NBC Universal contributing to THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON and on the USA and SYFY Channel programming team.

Send Chloe your pilot and meet with her here! All Genres!

Julia Schmidt, Development/ Production Coordinator (Goldwyn/Rosenfelt Productions)

Julia Schmidt is a Development/Production Coordinator at Goldwyn/Rosenfelt Productions helmed by Emmy-nominated producers John Goldwyn and Karen Rosenfelt, who most recently served as Executive Producers on the critically acclaimed Hulu series DOPESICK. Other past projects include Showtime’s flagship series DEXTER, HOT ROD, MACGRUBER, THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY, and more. Goldwyn/Rosenfelt Productions has a deal with Warner Bros. Television where Julia oversees and consults on all television projects in development and production.

Prior to joining Goldwyn/Rosenfelt Productions, Julia worked in Current Series at ABC Signature—one of Disney’s television studios. While there, she worked in a creative capacity on shows across a variety of networks, including GREY'S ANATOMY and THE GOOD DOCTOR for ABC, CRIMINAL MINDS: EVOLUTION for Paramount+, TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS and THIS FOOL for Hulu, BAD SISTERS for AppleTV+, A SMALL LIGHT and MIGHTY DUCKS: GAMECHANGERS for Disney+, THE WATCHFUL EYE for Freeform, and many more.

Send your female driven pilot or feature to Julia here!

Brendan Kenny, Producer/ Literary Manager (Everyday Films)

Brendan Kenney is a producer, manager, and writer with over 12 years of experience. He currently serves as a producer and manager at Everyday Films. Since starting Everyday Films he has set projects up with Fifth Season, Made Up Stories, John Wells Productions, Clubhouse Pictures, Wise Entertainment, Flower Films, and H2L Media. He is in post-production on an hour-long stand-up comedy special and pre-production on an indie film to shoot Fall of 2023 starring Mary-Louise Parker and Philip Ettinger.

Before Everyday Films, he worked as a development and production executive for Bruna Papandrea’s and Reese Witherspoon’s production company Pacific Standard where he worked on the development of dozens of films and TV series and the productions of the films WILD, HOT PURSUIT and the Emmy winning HBO show BIG LITTLE LIES. Brendan began his career at Relativity Media in Business Affairs and then Red Wagon Entertainment supporting the Creative Executive Team and the Agency of the Performing Arts (APA) in the Feature Literary Department.

Send your feature to Brendan here, or your pilot here to receive 3-5 pages of studio notes.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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