Hey, Stage 32 Community!

Who is ready to finish 2023 strong!? Throughout November, our Stage 32 Education Team has been hard at work to bring in some incredible education opportunities and resources for this fantastic community.

This December, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, finance professionals, renowned makeup artists, story consultants, award-winning filmmakers, NYT best-selling authors, acclaimed producers, actors, screenwriters, distributors, attorneys, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on such projects as THE COVENANT, MOON KNIGHT, FIRST MAN, BLADE RUNNER 2049, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, SPECTRE, SKYFALL, NIGHTCRAWLER, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE DEPARTED, SICARIO, 8 MILE, DUNE, BEYOND THE RAGING SEA, COME PLAY, WOMAN KING, BROOKLYN STORY, THE TODAY SHOW, WAREHOUSE 13, BONES, MAD MEN, THE BIG BANG THEORY, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and many others.

Don’t wait for all of the spots to fill up! Below is an exciting list of upcoming Stage 32 Education that is already available for you to register for!

Webinars

How To Create A Compelling Investment Proposal That Attracts Financing For Your Project

Starting: December 7, 2023

Instructor: Emma Louise Smith

In this exclusive webinar, you will learn how to create a professional investment prospectus so that you can confidently pitch to financiers and EP’s to secure funding for your project. Your investment proposal will cover everything from equity investments to gap financing from institutional investors. You will learn how film financing is structured and how you can show evidence of why you’re a trustworthy custodian of someone else’s cash. The key is to understand the ins and outs of the investment opportunity from a financial perspective, not just a creative one.

PLUS! You’ll receive a FILM INVESTMENT PROPOSAL handout that will help guide you when you’re working on the finance pitch deck for your next project!

Emma Louise Smith is a seasoned finance professional who has managed the production fund and budget for the UNHCR-funded collaboration with IEFTA since 2018 and she’s credited as Finance Manager on several UNHCR/IEFTA films including BEYOND THE RAGING SEA currently airing on Netflix. Emma’s film work started in 2021 when she was asked to join the feature documentary LATIN FOUR PLUS as Executive Producer and as a Producer on the feature documentary POUR THE WATER. In her consultancy work, Emma sources equity or gap financing for films across a budget range of 1M – 20M+ and as a brand strategy director, she sources additional revenue or reduces production budgets for studios and broadcasters utilizing branded content and product placement deals.

How To Build The World Your Characters Inhabit In Your Screenplays

Starting: December 8, 2023

Instructor: Brian Herskowitz

In this exclusive webinar, you will learn how to create the world of your story, invent rules and the world's logic, and remain consistent. You’ll also be given tools that will aid you in creating a clear, compelling environment that will feed the characters and entertain your audience. This webinar tackles an often overlooked yet critically important step in making your story jump off the page and onto the screen. You’ll learn the fundamentals of creating the world of your screenplay so that you can elevate your story to even greater heights and send your characters on the right journey.

PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help with your world-building in your script.

Brian Herskowitz is an award-winning writer/director/producer. He has written and produced for both TV and film and has worked on feature films, one-hour dramas, and sitcoms. He is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America and the Producer’s Guild of America and has directed award-winning short films, including MURRAY GHOST with Helen Slater, JOANNE with Gina Hecht, and ODESSA OR BUST starring Jason Schwartzman, Jason Alexander, and the late academy-award winner Red Buttons.

How To Make A Feature Film Based On Your Short Film

Starting: December 11, 2023

Instructor: Nicholas Bogner

In this exclusive webinar, you will learn how you can use your short film as IP to help sell your feature film or television project. You could be sitting on a gold mine with your short film, and we’re going to help you figure out how to leverage it to make your larger project. You will walk away from this webinar with the skills and industry insight you need to use your short film as IP to leverage a feature film or television series deal. Nicholas will share how he guided his client Jacob Chase to success through his short film. Jacob made the short LARRY, which was then sold in a bidding war to Steven Spielberg’s company, AMBLIN PARTNERS. Jacob’s concept was subsequently made into a feature film for Amblin and Focus Films with the new title of COME PLAY, now on Netflix.

PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help you create IP out of your short film. Downloads include the script for the short film, LARRY, and the script for the feature film, COME PLAY (based on LARRY).

Nicholas Bogner is Head of Literary at Affirmative Entertainment. Former VP of Original Programming at TNT and head of development at CRUISE/WAGNER, Nicholas’ clients have had immense success making shorts and creating their own IP.

Masters Of Craft: The Art and Business of Film & TV Make Up Artists with Donald Mowat

Starting: December 12, 2023

Instructor: Donald James Mowat

In this exclusive webinar, you will learn everything you need to know to not only break into the industry as a makeup artist but also how you can succeed in the role to ensure you are always doing great work and building a lasting career. Donald will teach you how and where to start your career as a makeup artist, the essential skills and tools you need for correction makeup work in most film and television projects, how to approach makeup for a period piece, how to work with A-List actors and directors, and the steps you need to take to build a sustainable career in the industry. If you are a filmmaker or producer, Donald will teach you how best to work with your makeup team for maximum effect. You will learn the fundamentals and personal approach Donald has honed for nearly 4 decades as a makeup designer. Donald will illuminate the versatility needed to keep up with this rapidly changing industry and the different approaches he uses to help bring characters from script to screen.

You will walk away from this webinar with the skills and confidence you need to start or further develop your career as a makeup artist in film and television.

Donald Mowat is a renowned makeup artist, makeup department head, and prosthetics designer. A three-time British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) nominee and Academy Award (Oscar) nominee, Donald’s long list of credits as Makeup Department Head/Designer or Personal Makeup Artist include THE COVENANT, MOON KNIGHT, FIRST MAN, BLADE RUNNER 2049, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, SPECTRE, SKYFALL, NIGHTCRAWLER, PRISONERS, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE FIGHTER, THE DEPARTED, SICARIO, 8 MILE, THREE KINGS, MIMIC, FLY WAY HOME, MARGARET'S MUSEUM, THE PERFECT STORM, THE YARDS and DUNE for which he was the Makeup Department Head/Hair and Makeup and prosthetics Designer.

TV & Film Legal Clearances: Everything You Need To Know To Safeguard Your Project

Starting: December 14, 2023

Instructor: James Pacitti

In this essential webinar, you will learn the major legal issues that are most likely to arise during your production and how you can steer clear of any potential legal pitfalls so you can successfully produce and distribute your project. James will guide you through the clearance process and illustrate why an entertainment attorney is an essential member of your producing team. You will learn everything from how to obtain permission to use work from a third party, how to navigate clearance of using underlying intellectual property (IP), how to copyright your work, and how and why you need to get clearance for your film after production and post-production.

PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help you ensure clearance needs on your project are met. Downloads include mock script and film clearance reports and examples of clearance issues that led to court cases.

James Pacitti of Pacitti Law Firm has been an attorney for nearly three decades and is licensed to practice in California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. He is the founder and managing attorney of Pacitti Law Firm (PLF), an entertainment law firm based in Beverly Hills, California. PLF represents a broad spectrum of creatives, including producers and production companies, in the development, finance, production, and distribution of their projects. The firm also acts as general counsel to its clients and advises them on a wide array of entertainment matters and intellectual property rights issues. PLF has handled TV and film productions across the United States and the globe, including the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Australia.

How To Get The Attention Of An A-List Star's Production Company

Starting: December 19, 2023

Instructor: Liliana Granados

In this exclusive webinar, you will learn how you can attract the attention of an A-list actor’s production company for your film or television project. You will learn the indispensable elements necessary to captivate star-led production companies, including aligning your project with the company’s brand and how to approach the project from an actor’s perspective. You’ll unravel the intricacies of crafting a compelling pitch tailored to these star-led entities, sharing insights into what actors truly seek in projects. You will walk away from this webinar with the tools and knowledge you need to navigate this current landscape and understand the pulse of what captures the imagination of both actors and the entities they helm.

PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you get the attention of an A-list actor's production company.

Liliana Granados is an esteemed film executive whose illustrious career has woven through the corridors of entertainment alongside luminaries like Viola Davis, Sofia Vergara, and Eugenio Derbez. Liliana worked as a Creative Executive at Viola Davis' JuVee Productions where she executed her passion for developing projects that celebrate culture and diversity. Most notably, Liliana participated in the development of TriStar’s WOMAN KING as well as helped shepherd Amazon and MRC’s upcoming G20 film. Recently, Granados served as the Director of Development at Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios, where she helped build the film drama department.

Classes

How To Write A Novel Based On Your Life And Get It Published

Starting: December 1, 2023

Instructor: Suzanne Corso

In this exclusive 4-part class, you will learn how to approach your own semi-autobiographical novel - from the why of your story, to developing your characters, to the outlining, editing, and revisions process, and, finally, how to work with agents and publishers. You’ll learn how to identify which parts of your story are best for the novel, how to craft a compelling story, and how to iterate on your work with notes from editors and publishers. You will walk away from this course with the skillset you need to write your novel and have a solid start to your work with assignments catered to your specific piece. If you’re ready to write your novel based on any of your life experiences, this class is a must!

PLUS! You’ll receive an exclusive copy of the first chapter of Suzanne’s best-selling novel BROOKLYN STORY and more!

Suzanne Corso is a NYT bestselling author whose critically acclaimed novels about her own life’s journey, BROOKLYN STORY, THE SUITE LIFE, and HELLO HOLLYWOOD, have all been published with Simon & Schuster. Suzanne has also produced for the New York and London stages, has executive produced two documentaries, and has written the successful children’s book SAMMY AND SUE GO GREEN TOO. She was a contributing TV Film Correspondent to THE TODAY SHOW on NBC, as well as a columnist for Downtown Magazine and Hamptons Magazine, and is currently working on a three-picture deal for her best-selling novel trilogy.

The Filmmaker's Process To A Successful Indie Film

Starting: December 2, 2023

Instructor: Clay Liford

In this exclusive and interactive 4-part class, you will learn how to hone your craft and the process of independent filmmaking from start to finish so your independent feature film can rise above the rest. You will learn the types of creative choices to make when approaching an independent film to increase your odds of success, how to develop your own visual style and directorial point of view, and garner an understanding of your overall role as the director. You will cover everything from how to maximize your pre-production, how to communicate with your cast and crew, how to determine when you've got the footage you need, how to properly work with your editor and even how to best receive and manage notes from producers and investors.

PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help you on your independent filmmaking journey. Downloads include Combined Indie Film Design Charts & Efficient Shot List/Coverage Tables, Story Structure for Smaller Films Charts & Data, and Indie Film Steps & Overview - Rudimentary Technical Knowhow.

Clay Liford is an award-winning filmmaker who has written and directed four feature films to date, including WUSS (SXSW, AFI Audience Award Winner), EARTHLING (SXSW), and SLASH (SXSW, Edinburgh, Munich). All are currently available to stream. As a director of photography, Clay has shot over twenty features, including the award-winning films ST. NICK (SXSW) and GAYBY (SxSW). He's worked with SyFy, Vice, and Troma Films. He was also a creator on the Paramount+ series STRANGE ANGEL. His latest feature, THE TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL REGIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL MURDERS is currently in pre-production.

How To Produce Your Independent Feature Film In 2024

Starting: December 5, 2023

Instructor: Michelle Alexandria

In this exclusive 2-part course that will prepare you for a successful upcoming year, you will learn how to package your independent film in today's environment. This included how to find financing, how to attach talent and creative elements, and even how to secure distribution before you start shooting. You will learn how you can use regional tax incentives to help get your film made as well as how you can best conduct pre-production to plan for a smooth shoot. Over 2 interactive sessions, you will increase your chances of securing the necessary funding to transform your creative visions into reality.

PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you package your film.

Michelle Alexandria, PGA member on the producer’s council and President of Light Year Pictures. Michelle has personally worked as an executive producer on over 40 feature films ranging up to $6MM budgets. Michelle has lectured on the topic of raising film financing and distribution at the Cannes Film Festival Producers Network and other prominent film festivals and markets including MipCom, Berlinale, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, Sundance, and AFM.

2-Part Class: How You Can Give & Receive Notes For Maximum Effect

Starting: December 10, 2023

Instructor: Shannan E. Johnson

In this exclusive 2-part class, you will learn to navigate the delicate dance of the development process between reps, executives and buyers and the writers they work with by learning the best practices of giving, receiving, and addressing script notes. Over two intensive and interactive sessions, you will take a look at both sides of the table - the rep, executive & buyer side and the screenwriter’s side - and you will be provided tools to nurture the relationship between the two sides of the equation to produce a safe and creative development process that gets scripts advanced, approved and shows or movies into pre-production. Whether you’re a writer looking to sell your work or a development exec or producer looking to work with talented writers, it is essential you know how to engage in the notes process to make meaningful progress on your projects. It's also important to know how the other side of this equation thinks and feels about script notes.

PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help you give and receive notes. Downloads include Story Structure - The Fast Track Infographic, How TF do I give constructive notes? Infographic, Why TF is my script not working? Infographic, and How TF do I tackle my rewrite? Infographic.

Shannan E. Johnson is a former development and current production executive at the Syfy Channel. Shannan is now the CEO of the Professional Pen, a script consultancy developing screenwriters from idea to pitch and consulting scripted teams in streamlining their development process. Shannan has extensive experience working with notes and managing series like HAVEN, BEING HUMAN, and WAREHOUSE 13. Shannan has consulted with Hallmark Media and A Few Good Women Productions, developing emerging to established writers now writing and show running at ALLBLK, Hulu, and Nickelodeon. As a writer, Shannan has staffed on Craig Ross, Jr's MONOGAMY and A LA CARTE, placed finalist in the Warner Bros. TV Workshop, AT&T Hello Lab, WeScreenplay, and Film Pipeline screenplay competitions, and wrote the proof of concept for ALL SCREWED UP now being developed at Sony.

Acting Workshop: Build Your Successful Preparation Process

Starting: December 16, 2023

Instructor: Ryan Cartwright

In this exclusive 4-hour workshop, you will develop your acting process so you feel confident that you are delivering to the best of your abilities every time. You will also be exploring intensive scene-study work to help you create captivating performances. This interactive workshop will cover everything you need to know to deliver your best performance in the audition room and on set. The class will explore the varying types of acting steps that you must master to consistently land dream roles and to create stunning exhibitions of your craft that will secure your future acting roles. You will learn how to approach the text - no matter the genre or character - and avoid common pitfalls in scenes. Ryan will teach you how you can and should inject your personal voice and flare into every audition while remaining true to the character. You will learn how to bring depth to your characters, even when you only have a few hours to prepare.

PLUS! Ryan will provide you with exclusive handouts to help you hone your acting process. Downloads include The Audition Process Beat Sheet and Filming Day Checklist.

Ryan Cartwright is an esteemed actor with over 30 years of professional acting experience and training and he has developed a robust acting process that he will share with you to incorporate into your own process to consistently elevate your work. Ryan has starred in numerous TV series and movies including BONES, MAD MEN, THE BIG BANG THEORY, KEVIN CAN WAIT, and ALPHAS.

Labs

TV Pitching Lab: Develop Your Pitch Deck And Verbal Pitch For Your TV Series

Starting: December 2, 2023

Instructor: Spencer Robinson

In this exclusive 5-part pitching lab, you will create your professional pitch deck and verbal pitch with expert guidance from a top literary manager. You will walk away from this interactive course with your complete pitch deck and verbal pitch ready so that you are prepared for every scenario and can confidently approach buyers. Over five interactive sessions, Spencer will take you through what makes a pitch deck great, giving you personal feedback in three one-on-one sessions so that you have a powerful sales tool ready when you hit the market. Next, you’ll dive into your verbal pitch with the elements you need to include, the common mistakes many leave out, and how to use visuals to keep executives engaged. Spencer will also cover the kinds of questions producers ask so that you'll be prepared with the important answers in advance. Additionally, you will learn the different avenues available to you for selling a television series. You’ll get THREE one-on-one virtual meetings with Spencer allowing you to practice your verbal pitch and receive notes and then make the adjustments that you give you the edge you need.

Spencer Robinson is a manager at Art/Work Entertainment whose clients include Eric Heisserer (ARRIVAL, LIGHTS OUT), Erin Cressida Wilson (THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, SNOW WHITE), and Kelly Washington (JURASSIC WORD, PARKS & REC), among others. Spencer has nearly a decade of industry experience. Spencer's writing clients work in both features and television on broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. He currently has a client writing on two Netflix series and another client who just sold a show to Amazon. He also reps a writer who currently has a project at Jason Bateman's Aggregate Films, which has a deal at Netflix. His on-camera clients have been in films with directors Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Gore Verbinski, and more. In the TV world, his clients have been regular cast members on shows for Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, and TBS, to name a few.

8-Part Lab: Create All The Tools You Need To Sell Your Holiday Romantic Comedy

Starting: December 2, 2023

Instructor: Matt Bierman

In this exclusive interactive 8-session lab, you’ll get hands-on guidance to bring your fantastic idea to life from concept to treatment, one-sheet, and pitch that you can sell, all while being mentored by an industry veteran and holiday romantic comedy producer. You’ll learn who the TV and streaming buyers are for holiday rom-com films, why you need a one-sheet and a treatment to meet with them to pitch your idea, what story elements they’re looking for, and how you can approach them with confidence.

You’ll also have TWO one-on-one consultations with Matt during the lab to go through the revisions you’ve made and receive feedback on your work, with notes on how to make it even better and where you should consider pitching it. You’ll walk away from this lab with all the materials you will need to successfully pitch your holiday romantic comedy feature film - including your logline, one-sheet, and pitch - which have been developed with the mentorship of an industry vet and you'll know who to pitch and how to approach them.

Matt Bierman is a studio executive and producer with over 25 years of experience. Matt has previously worked as an executive at Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Bros., Village Roadshow, and more. He also developed and produced movies for Hallmark and Nickelodeon. Matt has vast experience making holiday films and romantic comedies for television, including A LOUD HOUSE CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS WITH THE DARLINGS, LOVE AT FIRST BARK, LOVE UNDER THE STARS, and more. And he will be using his work as case studies throughout the lab.

5-Part Pitching Lab: How to Master Your 5 Minute Pitch

Starting: December 5, 2023

Instructor: Will McCance

In this exclusive 5-week lab, you will be guided through the fundamentals of pitching, including how to distill your script into your pitch, and how to ultimately deliver it with aplomb. You will work one-on-one with Will to understand the intricacies and art of your pitch and to improve the quality of your work to garner the interest of key decision-makers in the industry. After 5 interactive sessions, you walk away from this lab with your own polished 5-minute pitch for your specific project that you've developed under Will's direct guidance and expertise.

Will McCance is the Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's AMBULANCE and FINDING 'OHANA for Netflix. At Ian Bryce Productions, Will oversees the company's entire development slate. Before working with Ian Bryce, Will worked in development at Original Film's TV department, working on hit shows such as THE BOYS (Amazon) and PREACHER (AMC), as well as on SWAT (CBS) and HAPPY (Syfy).

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