Advice

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or just taking time to dream up your next big idea, I’ve got some fresh inspiration to keep that fire lit. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. First up, let’s talk about the start of something great. I’ve always believed the first few moments of any project are crucial. You’ve got one shot to hook your audience, and how you deliver that opening can make all the difference....

In over 15 years of working in the entertainment industry, I’ve learned that there will be many ups and downs in a dream pursuit. There will be obstacles, and good days, and opportunities, and rejections. The High Achiever (a.k.a. you!), needs a game plan through it all. The High Achiever needs to handle all of these moments intentionally and carefully, in a way that effectively keeps them on the path to success. That’s why I developed the 10 Pillars of the High Achiever. Here are the 10 pillars...

Stage 32 Reader, we meet again! Most of you know me as a prolific script doctor and as a working screenwriter, but I’ve also got more than a decade of experience working in the trenches of film finance. My career has given me a front-row seat to the rise and fall of packaging and presales as a business model for Hollywood, and I’ve blogged extensively on the unsustainability of any entertainment business plan that cashes out of a project’s risk before we’ve actually sold any tickets. Our succe...

Happy Thursday, Stage 32 Community! At Stage 32, we know your script is more than just a document; it’s your calling card, your passion project, and potentially, your big break. But once your script is polished, where do you go from there? That’s where Stage 32 Pitch Sessions come in. Whether you’re seeking representation or trying to sell your script to a production company, these sessions give you a real shot to be heard by top-tier professionals actively looking for material. Through Stag...

Happy Tuesday, Stage 32 Community! If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the path to success in this industry is rarely linear, but with the right education and guidance, your momentum becomes unstoppable. Every day, I get to connect with so many of you: writers, directors, producers, actors, and crew who are putting in the work to build meaningful careers. And it’s my absolute joy to help you find the tools, resources, and industry mentors that can move your projects forward and g...

Writer's block, the worst enemy of my creative mind, has been the talk of much contemplation and study in the realm of writing and psychology. The Breakout Principle, a concept that I use as a shift into mental focus to overcome obstacles, has emerged as a potential antidote to the paralyzing effects of writer's block. This method has served me well. At its center, writer's block is a psychological barrier and is internal, not external. It impedes the creative flow of ideas and words. It often...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. First up, let’s talk tech. Technology is reshaping the entertainment industry in more ways than ever. From post-production tools and screenwriting software to animation programs and platforms like Stage 32 that educa...

When it comes to building a voiceover business, there are so many different tools out in the world (and on the Internet). But you really only need about five of them to get started. Everyone everywhere has an opinion on what you need to begin your career as a Voice Actor and how much money you need to spend to be considered a professional in this industry, but I’ve come to learn that most of that information is outdated and not helpful. So here’s my list of the five essential tools you need...

Happy Spring! As we welcome a new season, life often calls for a shift—not in speed, rather in perspective. In this case, I am talking about how we choose to see abundance in our creative lives. Abundance is not always about having more. It is about knowing when to move and when to pause. For many, the times in our industry are still uncertain. With shifting trends, new business models, and redefining technology (think AI), you might feel like life is pulling you faster than you can keep up....

My fellow filmmakers, my name is Tim Ogletree and I’ve been chasing this thing since January 2009, just on the heels of the 2007-2008 WGA strike. After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a Radio-TV-Film degree, I made the official move out to LA with a pretty killer short film and a truck full of clothes, books, and DVDs. The short caught some eyes, landed my writing partner and me a manager, and catapulted us into meetings and pitches that led to our first feature script. Tw...