Cinematography

Hi, Stage 32-ers!   Right now is a challenging time for film and television creatives worldwide. Even though things are uncertain, the one thing that is certain is that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes will not last forever. At the end of this difficult time, the marketplace will emerge with new possibilities and opportunities. Still, we have heard from so many members of the Stage 32 community who are struggling to stay inspired and motivated. We get it, it’s not easy. But we’re here to he...

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, it may seem like common sense to some, but we're looking at film slates, or "clapperboards" in this video from StudioBinder. You'll dig into the history of their use, all the information they carry, and their importance. This simple little object carries a great deal of importance on a film set...

Hello, my fellow creatives. In this survival guide, I will be focusing on a checklist and things to keep in mind when shooting a documentary or good old fashion interviews. There are many ways to skin a cat, and it is up to you to test and refine what works so you can effectively handle any curve balls and do your job efficiently while keeping on schedule. Choosing The Right Space It goes without saying picking the right location for your documentary or interview is important. Does it make s...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. First up, SUCCESSION may have ended, but we still haven't recovered from some o...

Introduce Yourself Weekend is a great way to kick-start engagement every single month here on Stage 32, but that’s just the starting point! One of the biggest relationship builders in the industry is consistency. When you’re able to be consistent, you build inherent trust while also staying top of mind—and staying top of mind MATTERS. If you want to be successful in the entertainment business, you need your name to become synonymous with what you do. That way, when someone is looking for a sc...

Want to stand out and make connections fast on Stage 32? Introduce Yourself Weekend is one of the greatest ways to do that. On the third weekend of every month, all weekend long, members of Stage 32 are looking to connect with one another. Considering that Stage 32 is the largest online networking platform for Film and TV creatives and professionals—that’s pretty epic. Whether you’re looking to connect with industry executives, make industry friends, or simply practice getting your work out i...

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, we're looking at taking your project's visuals to the next level with framing in this video from In Depth Cine. There are certain framing styles that everyone is taught, and then there are the ones you mimic as you emulate the filmmakers you love and are trying to find your own style. But frami...

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 Nerstalgic, we're taking a look at visual effects from a different angle. It's pretty commonplace today for big studio films to be filmed largely on a soundstage with almost nothing but actors and green screens (or blue screens). The film SIN CITY is almost 20 years old, but...

My name is James Kicklighter, and I am a Stage 32 Thought Leader and a multi-award-winning Film Director and Producer. I have been fortunate to direct documentaries (The Sound of Identity), narrative films (Angel of Anywhere), and advertising across the country and around the world.   I hope that you enjoyed Part I of my discussion with my collaborator and friend, Emmy-nominated Director of Photography, Jonathan Pope (The Social Dilemma). Because we had so much to talk about, we thought it bes...

Hi, Stage 32-ers!   Over the last few months, we’ve welcomed tens of thousands of new members and, of course, welcomed our 1 millionth member which was featured in Variety. Every day, I hear from creatives and executives who are through with broad-based social media platforms. They’re tired of the negativity, the toxicity, and the toll it’s taking on their mental health. They want to be surrounded by positive, like-minded people who share similar interests and goals. I know you can relate...