Last time on “Six Degrees of Stage 32”, we discussed the relationships either initiated or rekindled online through the Stage 32 platform. Speaking from experience, my creative partner and I recently wrapped up our most challenging proof-of-concept short film yet - “Sanctuary,” the Short Film.

Where did some of our top talent come from? Relationships cultivated through Stage 32! Click here to read more about how we met in Part 2 of “Six Degrees of Stage 32”. While not everyone is so fortunate to attend film festivals, win mentorships, or even live near a major movie-making city, you can still interact online all year long to keep the momentum going!

In the spirit of the “Six Degrees of Separation,” however, you are never quite aware of how far a relationship will take you when you take those first bold steps. In fact, one part of the theory stipulates that random and loose associations help to extend your potential network reach. That is to say, outside of your core team, if you continue to meet people, then your degree of separation may be closer to five or even four. From my experience leading up to the production of “Sanctuary,” there were plenty of relationships that either morphed or lead to the introduction of another integral team member.

Part of the lesson of the “Six Degrees” theory is recognizing the reach you have through the connections of the people you already know. As the best-selling author and two-time TED Talk speaker, Darryll Stinson, has said about spreading one’s message, “Who do they know that you need to know?” (Darryll was a special guest in the Stage 32 Writer’s Room, and you can check out his Q&A here).

In today’s blog, we will explore just how far one relationship can lead to a successful collaboration. I’ll explore how my connections expanded with three more integral team members leading up to our production of “Sanctuary,” the Short Film.

4th Degree: DIRECT CONNECTIONS THROUGH STAGE 32 BLOGS

OUR STORY: Technically, Roz Wolf and I met through the lounges on Stage 32. As a PR Agent who regularly offered valuable insights through posts and comments, it was obvious she could make a big impact by writing a blog on Stage 32. As the Community Manager for Stage 32, I could easily suggest she email our Blog Coordinator. As a member of the entertainment industry and the global Stage 32 community, I offered feedback on her blog before she posted it and how to maximize its presence.

As Roz would tell me later, her blog generated leads and reinvigorated her business. You can read her blog by clicking here. It was the act of helping Roz. However, that endeared her to me (much like RB’s “Rule of Three” - give something of value to someone else three times before you ask for anything). In fact, after meeting her, my only intention was to continue to be of value to her. I quickly recognized her outgoing and no-nonsense personality as an asset to some other professionals I had begun chatting up. After connecting them, Roz and I began a friendship that would evolve from professional champion to now producing partner. I’m excited to say more than two years after meeting, Roz is now one of the producers of “Sanctuary,” the short film!

It’s worth noting that early on in our conversations, Roz expressed an interest in becoming a producer. I took note of it but did not act on it until it seemed feasible and mutually beneficial.

MY ADVICE: When you finally ask something of someone else, be sure it’s something within their wheelhouse or within their sphere of interest. Any agreement that is not mutually beneficial is a favor, not a collaboration.

DID YOU KNOW? If you have an idea for a blog, you can email our Content Editor, Emily, directly at https://www.stage32.com/blog/the-relaunch-what-does-a-publicist-say-about-that-2444. Offering insight from your experience is an incredibly valuable way to invite conversations that can lead to connections. When your blog goes live, be sure to respond to comments as well!

5th Degree: INDIRECT CONNECTIONS BECOME RELATIONSHIPS

OUR STORY: One of our stellar Stage 32 community leaders, Dr. Samita Nandy, an actor and founder of the Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies (CMCS), used to host weekly events. It was an incredibly encouraging and welcoming space for participants to explore how they present themselves as a public figure and what we all can do to do so authentically. It was there that I met Debra De Liso.

Most people know Debra as an acting teacher with UCLA, or as an acclaimed writer/director of solo plays, but Debra is also a cult horror star. You may know her from The Slumber Party Massacre (1981), but I know her as the articulate, empathetic, and adventurous performer who has weathered this business with grace for longer than I've been alive.

After more than two years giving each other advice in our respective areas of expertise, Debra alerted me to a feature she wanted to produce. It was set in a small town in California, has a sheriff character, even had some driving scenes - all challenges we had overcome during the filming of "Sanctuary" the Short Film. It was then that I offered for her to come on board as a producer so she could get involved with the independent filmmakers who could later help her make her film.

As of now, Debra and I are packaging her feature to pitch along with "Sanctuary" the feature film. It's incredible to think that because of Samita's kindness and Debra's bold introduction, we now find ourselves making films together.

FUN STORY: Garrett and I wanted to have a trial run at making a short film together, so we signed up for the L.A. 48-Hour Film Festival in August 2022. Knowing that we would need strong on-screen talent, I invited Debra to be one of our actors. Not only did she knock it out of the park, but at the first festival we submitted it to outside of the 48-Hour Film Festival, Debra won an award for "Best Supporting Actress"! This was a great way for Debra to meet my creative partner, Garrett, as well and get a sense of what he was capable of.

6th Degree: DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE of a Friend of a Friend

OUR STORY: This one is a wild ride, so hang on! I first met Shane Stanley after watching his interview with Film Courage, which I thought was bold yet empowering. Unable to find him on Stage 32, I found him and messaged him on Instagram. Thanking him for his incredibly insightful interview, I also praised our mutual friend, CJ Walley of Script Revolution, who, at the time, I only knew through Stage 32 online interactions. As a stellar writer and a friend of RB’s, however, it was easy to gush about how awesome CJ is. Then, I ended the message by asking if Shane would be interested in joining Stage 32 as an instructor (i.e., offering something of value). Shockingly, he responded quickly, asking when we could set up a video conference. Holy WOW! Kindness and forwardness really DO work!

While our initial Zoom date was about offering Shane an opportunity, the call ended with an invitation from Shane for me to work on the set of Double Threat (2022 - filmed in 2020). Our mutual inclination to learn, stay upfront and transparent, and pass on knowledge to the next generation of filmmakers was our foundation of respect and admiration. What a gift to meet such a like-minded collaborator in the industry! And it has been the gift that keeps on giving.

On that set, I met “Sanctuary,” the Short Film’s future Director of Photography, Arthur Castellano. He was such a pleasure to work with as a 1st Assistant Camera - gracious, communicative, and approachable - that when we wrapped, we exchanged information. It was at that point that I learned Arthur was learning from Shane’s DP, Joel Layogan, the way I was learning from Shane. Arthur was looking for opportunities to show off his skills as a DP in dramas and thrillers, and I knew Garrett as a drama/thriller director, was still looking for a DP. DING! As fate - and extensive effort and communication - would have it, Garrett and Arthur have now teamed up multiple times, and we look forward to having Arthur DP “Sanctuary” the feature!

So, how many connections does that make this one? My connection to CJ Walley opened up the connection to Shane Stanley, who invited Joel to be his DP on Double Threat, who invited ACs to be part of the camera crew, including Arthur Castellano, who I met and then connected to Garrett Adams for “Sanctuary” the Short Film to be a success. WHEW!

Honorable Mentions:

On my second film with Shane, Night Train (2023 - filmed in 2021), I met AK Moore as a production assistant. He quickly showed his quality by using his 1st Assistant Director experience to elevate our entire production team’s effectiveness. I kept in contact with AK as a friend and fellow writer, but when our previous AD became unavailable, I introduced him to Garrett to see if he would be a good fit. He could have just as easily been unavailable, uninterested, or not the right fit. The only way to know, though, is to try. And to keep the best close!

The greatest lesson of all - other than to keep going, because that's important - is to keep tabs on the people who give you that spark. Energy, enthusiasm, positivity. However you wish to categorize it, you cannot pay for that. You can only be receptive to it, cultivate it, and include it when possible.

May you continue to explore and meet new people who invigorate your projects! Have you met anyone like that? Give them a shout-out below!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Emily at https://www.stage32.com/blog/the-relaunch-what-does-a-publicist-say-about-that-2444, and let's get your post published!

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