Last time on “Six Degrees of Stage 32”, we discussed the relationships that begin from in-person networking events. 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 we meet? A Stage 32 in-person networking event in Los Angeles, CA! Click here to read more about how we met in Part 1 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 arrange and attend local in-person events to keep the momentum going!

In lieu of meeting in person, you can still cultivate relationships online through Stage 32’s forum-based threads called “Lounges.” At a glance, these “lounges” may seem like any other online group, a place to talk, but not a place to listen. The truth is, for those who do not have direct access to resources, the lounges are a place to connect. And not just with anyone - those in the industry and doing the work.

Creating new leads for future collaborators is absolutely necessary to continue to expand your network, but what about reconnecting with older leads? Making the time to revisit those previous relationships can be just as valuable in the long run. In today’s blog, I’ll be expanding on how I connected and reconnected with two more integral team members leading up to our successful completion of “Sanctuary,” the short film. Follow us to keep up with our updates and announcements!

On location in Cantil, CA, the crew of "Sanctuary" the short film pauses around the process trailer between takes.

2nd DEGREE: ONLINE CONNECTIONS THROUGH STAGE 32 LOUNGES

As the Community Manager for Stage 32, I often interacted with members in the Introduce Yourself Lounge, welcoming them to the platform. It’s still the best place to meet new collaborators, but just like in-person meet-ups, it can be tricky to generate a conversation from no shared experiences. That is why the topical lounges are great! Screenwriters gather to talk about screenwriting in the Screenwriting Lounge. Actors gather to talk about acting in the Acting Lounge. There’s even a lounge for Filmmaking - and this is where I would meet both a kindred spirit and later one of our on-screen talents on “Sanctuary,” the short film.

My friend Cedric Benjamin tells me that he was immediately immersed in the Stage 32 community because networking did not feel forced. Specifically, he saw members interested in getting to know each other first and then keeping each other in mind should a project arise. With that attitude, you’d think Cedric was a go-with-the-flow kind of guy, but he is incredibly energetic and driven!

His first ever Stage 32 lounge post was a dedication to meet with 30 Directors in 30 Days - what an excellent and bold declaration! I had previously touted that actively participating in the community was key to success, but so is clearly stating what you want from the experience. Cedric’s post was a great example of that, and I let him know it on our first virtual coffee date.

What a pleasant surprise that this bold creative was also incredibly open and supportive as a fellow human being! We talked more about mental health than anything else on our first call. So, we agreed to call each other every week to check in on each other’s well-being. It was through those regular check-ins that we began talking about our projects. After one particular read-through of Cedric’s pilot (about an actor who plays a police officer - a character Cedric wished to play), it dawned on me that he would be a great fit for our own police officer role in “Sanctuary” the Short Film.

Kay Ross with Cedric Benjamin in a long-awaited in-person photo on the set of "Sanctuary," the short film.

While Cedric and I did not always make our weekly meeting, we did keep in touch. As we neared production, I knew I had to ask if he was still interested in the role. We were so fortunate to have him fly from New York to LA to be a part of our project. Now, not only have we met in person, but we also hope to work together on a feature he’s written next!

DID YOU KNOW? Writers need face time, too! Member-hosted events like the various Writer’s Cafes give participants a chance to support one another professionally, personally, and creatively. It’s a great to time ask others to read something you’re working on, ask questions, or even just check in with how you’re doing. The mental health check-in is just as important as the creative progress check-in! If you’d like to participate in any of the Writer’s Cafes, sign up to join the Stage 32 Writer’s Room by emailing success@stage32.com

3rd DEGREE: RECONNECTING ONLINE THROUGH Stage 32 DIRECT MESSAGING

OUR STORY: As the Community Manager, I began looking for all the ways members can connect with others in the industry. When we think about reconnecting, we may assume that we’ll remember everyone we’ve ever met or worked with. What a happy accident when we rediscover long-lost connections!

For me, I found myself with someone I had worked with only once, at least five years earlier, before reconnecting in 2019. Andrew Katers and I had a mutual friend (thanks, Justin Lewis!), fond memories of the project (“Anomaly” series by 121 Studios that is now GritHouse Films), and mutual respect for each other as experienced martial artists. Finding that common ground was essential to reconnecting, but so was our current project. Soon after reconnecting, Andrew and I would meet up to discuss the stunts and acting requirements of our epic short film, “Sanctuary.” Originally, he offered me advice and insight as a stunt performer himself. After chatting him up to the director, however, Garrett asked him to audition, and he was one of the first actors we cast. Andrew hung in there from March 2020 until November 2022 to participate in this project. He is now the lead on the project, and we absolutely could not have made it without him!

A candid photo of Andrew J. Katers on the set of "Sanctuary," the short film; Andrew is surprisingly silly.

But how did I know to seek out Andrew? Our mutual friend reminded me that we were both in LA, but I wasn’t sure how to get a hold of him. So, I found his profile on Stage 32! As it turns out, he only got my network request because he selected email alerts for any direct messages received. The lesson? Make sure when you’re reaching out to a new Stage 32 connection to include a short, direct message so they receive the email alert!

DID YOU KNOW you can look up connections via Alumni? See who from your alma mater is on the platform! Go to https://www.stage32.com/schools to search for your school and then browse who from your school is on Stage 32! You can also click the link to your school from the bottom of your Stage 32 profile to begin your search.

Have you reconnected with someone on Stage 32? We’d love to hear about it! Share in the comments below!

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