Advice

Horror is debatably one of if not the most misunderstood genres in film and television. Outside of "beloved" intellectual properties, it arguably has one of the most hardcore, savvy, and devoted audiences, but… what quantifies a proper Horror film? Tropes? Jump scares? Demonic creatures? Monsters? A psycho with a machete? How about all of the above? Let's dive in and break down a few subgenres highlighting the best and most diverse stories that will leave your minds twisted and your skin crawlin...

As an artist, you’re called to show up in the world. Whether it’s on stage, making a pitch, submitting your screenplay, putting on an art show, you make yourself vulnerable to others over and over again. Making art is a unique process. The initial stages of creating are deeply personal, but, eventually, you need the attention of your audience to bring your creative work to life. Though it began as something private, your art only achieves its purpose and full potential when it impacts someone...

My short film, Rematch was finally released this year, and I’m excited to share it with the world. It’s a 20-minute domestic dramedy about two contentious brothers shot entirely in my home on an ultra-low budget. I’ve already outlined the hard lessons learned making that film in a recent Stage 32 blog, and I encourage you to give that a read if you haven’t already. However, while it’s important to shine a light on your mistakes, I also wanted to highlight a major success: How Stage 32 was ess...

You’ve spent hundreds of hours pouring into your book or your script. You’re finally finished, and in the midst of your celebration, you realize now it’s time for edits and rewrites. The confetti is short-lived and now you have a decision to make: who are you going to choose for your editor? If your thoughts drift to one of your friends, family members, or even yourself—you may want to reconsider and make sure you have a professional in your corner. Having a fresh set of eyes from a storytelli...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! The Biggest Family Friendly Screenplay Contest in the World is Back! Ever dreamt of seeing your feature film script come to life on the big screen or streaming on TVs in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! Family friendly stories bring everyone together for fun, bonding, and entertainment. From the sheer delight of THE GARFIELD MOVIE to the relentless hi-jinx of KUNG FU PANDA and the emotional depth of IF, audiences c...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, in this video from Film Courage, television writer Zimran Jacob talks about 5 entry-level jobs that are common for aspiring television writers to work their way up to a staff writing position within the industry. He shares advice about the art of networking and helps to clarify the expectations...

Writing a script is challenging in many ways. After you overcome the stress of facing the first draft review and all the reviews after that and then you see the job done it is, without a doubt, a very satisfying achievement. During the process, we can make mistakes (yes, even writers make mistakes) with the way we tell the story. This is why we must keep reading and or talking about script techniques. Today I want to talk specifically about three things we must not do when we are writing a horro...

Today, I had an inspiring conversation with a talented writer who is passionately navigating the journey from script to screen. Over the past few years, she has shown remarkable dedication, and as a consultant, I've been fortunate to witness her progress. Yet, the reality of filmmaking is that it truly takes a village to bring a project to life. Depending on the size and scope of the project, various roadmaps can lead you to that coveted finish line: a completed film. My Journey Into Film Fina...

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! As many of you already know, Stage 32 Certification has been bringing new film commissions, institutes, colleges, streamers, and other organizations into the mix. This week we’re welcoming the St. Pete-Clearwater Film Commission to Stage 32 Certification! The St. Pete-Clearwater Film Commission and Stage 32 are excited to partner to bring Certification opportunities to creative professionals in the St. Pete-Clearwater, FL area. This is their chance to get certi...

Hello There, Stage 32 Community! Summer has turned to Fall, time for sweater weather, foliage and all things pumpkin spice! And of course it is also time for end of the month celebration of our phenomenal members here at Stage 32, in particular their recent successes! We love to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on just some of the incredible writers and creatives in the Stage 32 family and share their stories of success with everyone! We know how much time, effort and dedication y...