Hey, Stage 32 Community,

Boy, do I have some exciting updates for you! Our tireless Stage 32 Education Team has been hard at work to bring in some incredible education opportunities and resources for this fantastic community.

Over the next month, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, showrunners, acclaimed directors and screenwriters, Emmy-winning producers, video game writers, distributors, attorneys, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on such projects as SECRET IN THEIR EYES, THE CIRCLE, THAT'S NO MOON (Video Game), SWEETWATER, SMALLVILLE, NORA FROM QUEENS, ALPHAS, NO ORDINARY FAMILY, and many others.

Below is a comprehensive list of the upcoming Stage 32 Education Schedule currently available to you all!

Webinars

Maximizing The Horror: How To Craft Unforgettable Movie Monsters

Starting: Jul 10, 2023

Instructor: Karina Wilson

In this exclusive webinar, horror specialist Karina Wilson will guide you through everything you need to know to create a compelling horror movie villain for your horror project. You’ll learn the essential monster/villain categories and how to shape your story around the type of villain you are working with. Karina will assess the ways in which your villain can put your protagonist through the fire (both metaphorically and literally), while simultaneously terrifying your audience. You will learn how to put a fresh spin on classic villains, tapping into fears specific to the 2020s where successful horror movie antagonists are often nuanced with complex character arcs.

PLUS! Karina will provide you with an exclusive handout that will help you develop your horror movie monster to scare up your audience!

Karina is an independent story and development consultant with a focus on horror who has worked on many films including SECRET IN THEIR EYES with Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts, 13 SINS with Ron Perlman, and THE CIRCLE with Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. Previously the in-house story consultant at IM Global, she is considered an expert in the horror genre, and her analysis of horror trends through the decades has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, on NPR, in medical textbooks, and in documentaries alongside luminaries such as Jason Blum, Joe Dante, and Andy Muschietti. Karina is also the lead screenplay judge for the indie horror festival Shriekfest.

Legal And Practical Implications Of A.I. For Creatives

Starting: Jul 13, 2023

Instructor: Thomas A. Crowell

In this exclusive webinar, you will learn the legal and practical best practices and implications for using AI in your work. While the future of AI and its role in the entertainment industry is uncertain, it is unlikely that AI technology will be going away. It is critical that every filmmaker, artist, and producer understand the implications of AI before they decide whether – or how -- to incorporate AI-generated expression into their films. Thomas will walk you through the legal challenges and questions around AI in the entertainment industry and equip you with the knowledge you need to decide how you can engage with AI in the most responsible ways.

PLUS! Thomas will provide you with exclusive handouts to help you understand how to engage with AI going forward!

Thomas Crowell, an entertainment and intellectual property attorney, and partner at LaneCrowell, LLP. Thomas’s clients have made deals with Sony, Starz, TLC, Elsevier Publishing, Discovery Communications, Focal Press, Smithsonian Network, WE: The Women's Entertainment Network, The Science Technology Network, and IDW Publishing, and their work can be seen in the pages of Marvel and DC Comics.

How To Produce And Sell Songs For Film And Television

Starting: July 18, 2023

Instructor: Michèle Vice-Maslin

In this exclusive webinar, you will learn how music gets into film and TV shows and discuss every facet of music publishing, licensing, metadata, songwriting, music producing, and making connections in the music and film industry. This webinar is not just focused on the work of one production, music supervisor, sync agent, music library, or A&R but on the thousands of opportunities out there and how you as a songwriter and producer can connect music and the productions that need music. If you are looking to produce and license your music to film and television shows or simply want to garner a better understanding of the craft and business of music across the entertainment industry, this webinar is a must!

PLUS! Michèle will provide you with an exclusive handout to help you develop and license your music!

Michèle Vice-Maslin, an Emmy-Winning hit music producer, songwriter, publisher, and educator. Michèle has written/produced thousands of pieces of music & has over 5000 music placements in media worldwide. As an industry veteran, Michèle has been involved in pretty much every scenario possible in regard to music producing and licensing.

How To Break Into And Write For The Video Game Industry

Starting: July 20, 2023

Instructor: Andrew M. Henderson

This comprehensive and exclusive webinar will teach you all you need to know about how to write video games, the difference between writing for games vs. film/television, navigating the video game industry, and most importantly, how to get your foot in the door in the video game industry. This webinar will take you behind the scenes with a AAA video game writer who will guide you through the process of finding a way into the complex video game industry as a writer, and once in, what you can expect once you’re actually writing on a game. Today, gaming is the largest category in the entertainment industry, with revenues that far exceed those of both the film and music industries. This year, the gaming industry is expected to be worth more than $170 billion in global revenues, five times greater than global movie box office revenues. As writers, it’s advantageous for us to have our hands in as many creative mediums as we can, ensuring that we’re always working and getting paid, but also keeping our creative muscles honed.

PLUS! Andrew will give you the exclusive script for scenes from CALL OF DUTY: INFINITE WARFARE that can help you when writing a video game!

Andrew Henderson, who is one of the writers on the new AAA-game studio game THAT'S NO MOON based on popular existing intellectual property. Andrew also works as a writer and producer for film and television. He has sold film and TV projects to various companies, including Runaway Planet Content, Go Media, Paradox Productions, Cinelou Productions, Bee Holder Productions, Storyboard Entertainment, and Rebellion Studios, among others.

How To Complete Your Movie On Time And On Budget While Achieving Your Creative Goals

Starting: Jul 27, 2023

Instructor: Clay Liford

In this exclusive webinar, you will learn where to put the emphasis in your pre-production process and a specific method for planning shots and scenes (shot lists, top-down lighting plots) optimized for making your day without turning you into a budgetary bean counter. This course also serves as a strong “trouble-shooting” guide applicable to the vast majority of scheduling issues that seem to always arise on set. You will gain confidence in the time management necessary to focus on what really matters - performance and “the visuals.”

PLUS! Clay will provide you with exclusive handouts to help you on your next project.

Clay Liford is a graduate of the University of Texas film program who now teaches all aspects of film production at his alma mater. Clay has made over 25 feature films that have garnered numerous accolades and screened at Sundance Film Festival, South by Southwest, and more.

How To Make Your Logline Attractive to A-List Actors, Producers, Directors, Managers, Agents, Financiers, and Development Execs

Starting: Jul 28, 2023

Instructor: Christopher Lockhart

In this exclusive webinar, Chris will break down the mechanics of a logline to determine what makes one work. He'll show you what aspects A-List actors, directors, managers, agents, producers, financiers, and development execs look for in a logline that makes them want to take the next step and read your script. Chris will then take you on a broader discussion of the elements of successful screenwriting and how your logline can betray what you've written or reveal the shortcomings in your script. In this jammed packed and entertaining webinar, Chris will not only teach you how to write a logline, but how to tailor it in such a way that it is appealing to talent, representation, and financiers!

As a bonus, Chris will then read and break down several loglines that were sent in by Stage 32 community members to demonstrate what worked and what didn't. All this is followed by a fun and informative Q&A filled with even more actionable information.

Chris Lockhart is a Story Editor at William Morris Endeavor (WME), the world's largest diversified talent agency, Chris has curated projects for A-list actors such as Denzel Washington, Liam Neeson, Mel Gibson, Matt Damon, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, and countless others over the last 20+ years.

Classes

4-Part Class: How To Write, Direct & Deliver Your Feature Film

Starting: July 16, 2023

Instructor: Martin Guigui

During 4 immersive sessions, Martin will teach you the writer-director process in great detail from ideation to distribution. You will be connected to Martin directly via email for the duration of the class to ask him questions about his process and get tips on your own projects. Martin will take you through the entire writer-director journey from conceiving the story to pre-production, casting, physical production, editing, coloring, scoring original music, sound design, and ultimately to securing distribution which can also happen early in the process if pre-sales are required to make the budget. A writer-director has to be the driving force behind every step of the process to make sure the finished film is what they had hoped for creatively and shared with a wide audience.

That’s why Stage 32 has brought in acclaimed writer-director Martin Guigui himself to teach this interactive class, to share with you the writer-director blueprint.

Martin Guigui is the co-founder and President of Sunset Pictures and has made over one dozen films, all from scratch. He oversees pre-production, production, and post-production on all of his projects. Martin’s most recent film, SWEETWATER, starring Jeremy Piven, Cary Elwes, and Everett Osborne, was released in theaters in April 2023 and received praise amongst audiences and critics alike.

4-Part Class: How to Attract Financing For Your Feature Film

Starting: July 20, 2023

Instructor: Michelle Alexandria

In this exclusive 4-part class, you will learn everything you need to know to build an enticing film development package for little to no money. A professional development package for your project is usually the major difference between scripts that get financed and scripts that don’t. Michelle will lead her class through the things you can do for anywhere between zero dollars and a few thousand dollars to build an effective and attractive feature film financing package that you can confidently share with potential investors. If you have access to a computer, and the internet, and have passion for your project, you can take immediate action steps to make your project attractive to money. If you are looking to make your feature film an attractive investment to financiers so you can get your movie made and distributed, this class is a must!

PLUS! Michelle will give out exclusive handouts to help you build your film development package.

Michelle Alexandria is a PGA member and producer at Light Year Pictures. Michelle has personally worked as a producer, executive producer and line producer on 25 feature films with budgets of $6MM and under. Michelle has lectured on the topic of raising film financing at the Cannes Producers Network and other prominent film festivals and markets including MipCom, Berlinale, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, Sundance, and AFM.

4-Part Class: Producing Short-Form Content To Elevate Your Career

Starting: July 22, 2023

Instructor: Michael Wormser

In this exclusive 4-part class, you will learn how to produce, distribute, and capitalize on your short-form projects. You will learn how to go about producing high-quality short-form content, how can you produce your project on a shoestring budget, and what types of stories work best for short-form content. You will discuss how and where to distribute short-form content and, more importantly, how can you leverage your short-form project to further your career. Producing Short Form Content is an exciting venture for top-tier filmmakers, working filmmakers, and up-and-coming filmmakers alike. It’s an opportunity to tell a story at almost any budget level.

PLUS! Michael will provide you with an exclusive Resource Guide and production tips to help you produce your next short-form project.

Michael Wormser is co-founder and producer at Cinemand Films. Michael has produced over 70 projects in his career and has made features for Legendary, Lakeshore Entertainment, Netflix, and IFC Films, as well as series for Fox Television Studios, Hulu, FreeForm, Netflix, and 20th Century Digital. Michael has also produced short-form content for the Hulu series BITE SIZE HALLOWEEN.

4-Part Writing Class: A Showrunner’s Guide To A Writing Career In Television

Starting: July 22, 2023

Instructor: Todd Slavkin

In this exclusive 4-part class, you will learn the craft and process of writing for scripted drama television and how to navigate a career as a television writer. Each session will include industry guests, mainly successful writers with high levels of experience, all sharing their own stories and tips for success. You will have the rare opportunity to learn from a handful of industry experts how to navigate a television writing career in Hollywood so that you can make the best decisions for yourself and your career. Trust us, you don't want to miss this!

PLUS! Todd will provide you with exclusive handouts to help you with the craft and business of television writing in Hollywood.

Todd Slavkin whose experienced showrunning series for Disney, The CW, ABC, and more have provided him with an arsenal of showrunning tools that he will share with you to prepare you for your own career as a showrunner. Todd has worked in all different kinds of genres and has been involved with many popular television shows, including SMALLVILLE, SHADOWHUNTERS and most recently THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY, for which he was nominated for two Emmys.

Labs

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

Starting: Jul 8, 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 also find out who the TV 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.

Plus! You’ll meet one-on-one with Matt twice 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.

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.

8-Part Lab: Write Your One-Hour or Half-Hour Female-Driven TV Pilot

Starting: July 9, 2023

Instructor: Audrey Knox

In this intensive and interactive lab, you will work one-on-one with a top literary manager to take your female-driven half-hour or one-hour television pilot from concept to completed script. To take your character from an idea to the television screen, you’re going to need to know how to write complex women and understand what producers, showrunners, and buyers are looking for in your pilot scripts.

You will receive direct and personalized feedback on your work throughout the eight weeks so you walk away from this course with a completed vetted pilot script that you can show to producers, executives, and production companies.

PLUS! Audrey will provide you with a series of successful female-driven pilot scripts to learn from.

Audrey Knox is a literary manager at Cartel Entertainment, which has hundreds of writer, director, and showrunner clients who have created shows like AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS, THE GIRL FROM PLAINVILLE, FREERIDGE, and more.

8-Part Screenwriting Lab: Breaking Story For 1-Hour TV Dramas With An Interactive Mock Writers' Room

Starting: Jul 15, 2023

Instructor: Kate Sargeant

Over the course of this intimate 8-week workshop, Kate will delve into the craft of the network one-hour drama and then lead the class through a mock writers' room for the hit ABC SERIES THE ROOKIE: FEDS. Students will gain experience pitching A, B and C story ideas for THE ROOKIE: FEDS, breaking the episode on a virtual whiteboard as a group, and then practice pitching acts to the showrunner. Through both Kate’s lessons and her leading of this mock writers’ room, you will gain direct, practical, and real-world experience that you can take with you as you pursue your own television writing career.

Kate Sargeant is an accomplished television writer with especially deep experience in network procedural dramas, working on over 100 episodes of network TV on shows like CASTLE, CSI: CYBER, NCIS: NOLA and BLINDSPOT. Most recently, Kate served as a Supervising Producer on a one-hour drama for TBS entitled OBLITERATED.

8-Part Screenwriting Lab: Rewrite Your Horror Script With A Top Story Editor

Starting: July 22, 2023

Instructor: Karina Wilson

In this exclusive Stage 32 8-part feature script rewrite lab, you will create a polished new draft of your currently completed horror screenplay. You will work in a virtual online classroom setting and in focused one-on-one sessions with Karina to learn the tools you need to improve your writing and storytelling and supercharge your rewriting process in the horror genre. You will be held accountable by completing the weekly assignments listed in the syllabus. If you miss any live sessions the recordings will be sent to you so you can easily keep up. You will also have direct access to Karina via email for the duration of the lab. Plus, to keep you motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout your rewriting process.

You will walk away from this 8-week course with an updated and polished draft of your horror script that you developed under the guidance of an industry professional!

12-Part Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Feature Screenplay in 12 Weeks with Expert Guidance from a Global Executive

Starting: July 23, 2023

Instructor: Thomas Pemberton

Over 12 intensive weeks, Thomas will work closely with you to outline, write, and actually complete your feature film screenplay. Thomas will lead intimate group sessions where he will offer notes and guidance on specific portions of each writer’s screenplay or vision documents, incrementally and methodically working towards a completed and polished product. This is a perfect time to take control of your creative career and give yourself the accountability and guidance you need to take this leap and write a screenplay that you can be proud of... and that will get you noticed. You will have the benefit of getting support, feedback, and perspective from the other members of the lab, as well as the opportunity to offer your own for their projects. You will walk away from this 12-week lab with a completed feature film screenplay in hand that has been vetted by a top executive that you can share with studios, financiers, agents, and managers!

Plus! You will work one-on-one over Zoom with Thomas and will have direct access to Thomas over email for the duration of the lab.

Thomas Pemberton is the Development Executive at the global production company Mind's Eye Entertainment, which has produced over 60 feature film and television projects. Thomas has a keen eye for great material and is quick to champion material he believes in. He's discovered three writers through Stage 32 who now have their projects under option with Mind’s Eye Entertainment!

Don't miss out on any of these exciting Stage 32 webinars, classes, or labs!

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