Coffee & Content

Good Morning, Creative Army! This edition of Coffee & Content focuses on ways we can use CGI, graphic design, and camera movements to up the ante with our filmmaking. First up, computer generated imagery is being used more and more, especially in action films. If you're interested in what films like ATTRACTION and SAN ANDREAS look like without special effects, pull your coffee cup closer to you. Because 7 Movies Before and After Special Effects is going to show you. Next up, our friends at...

Good Morning, Creative Army! This morning as I brew with a french press, creating videos while flying solo comes to mind. Most of us have done it, want to do it, or could use some tips on how to improve our self-tapes or tutorials. Even shooting a short film starring ourselves can be tricky. So while we brew, let's dig into the first video today from Peter McKinnon, How to Film Yourself. Even with zero budget, you can create a great video with just a few tools. The short video below shows...

Hello, Stage 32 Family!From filming on set in Chicago with Rain Beau's End this past spring to mentoring other screenwriters at a writing retreat in Dordogne, France (and everything prior and yet to come), I've seen and will continue to see my share of continuity mistakes in filmmaking. And as I pour myself a hearty 'cupajoe this Sunday morning, I bring to you another edition of Coffee & Content that covers this very problem. We've all watched films where we've been able to pick up mistakes in...

Happy Sunday, everyone. Hope your day is off to a fantastic start and that you've been active, contributing, and making some invaluable connections right here on Stage 32. This Sunday we want to offer an edition of Coffee & Content that focuses on capturing the dramatic and fast actions of sport. Films like I, Tonya and the iconic Rocky films capture some powerful and theatrical moments on camera, and need to do so without losing the fast action or art of the shot. So first up, How to Sh...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Summer's here, the coffee's on, and we've got some great content to go with it. So let's stir it up, shall we? First up, for those focusing on documentaries or a single subject, a strong reminder of the importance of the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds divides the frame into a 3X3 grid, with each intersecting point offering an ideal place to frame your subject. This, and five other video composition techniques are covered in our first video from B&H Photo Vide...

Happy Sunday to all.  Hope you're all having a fulfilling and creative weekend. Coffee is brewed and piping hot...Let's get to the content. First up today, many great screenwriters and playwrights - David Mamet is one who comes to mind immediately - speak about the need for writers to create conflict in every scene.  Our first video today dives deep on conflict, citing examples from a plethora of revered films to drive the point home. Second, a video no filmmaker or producer is going to wa...

Happy Sunday, everyone. And Happy Father's Day to all fathers and father figures across the globe! Hope you're day is off to a fantastic start and that you've been active, contributing, and making those invaluable connections during Introduce Yourself Weekend. Don't miss out, there's still 24 hours to go! As if that wasn't enough to motivate you, here's another edition of Coffee & Content. When we talk with the executives who work with us through Stage 32 Script Services about the main issue...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army.  Let's jump right in to another edition of Coffee & Content. First up, for my money, the screenplay for The Social Network is up there with some of the greats of the last decade.  In our first video, the good folks at Behind the Curtain break it down and go to the source to take a look at why it all works so well. Next up, Variety is back with their Actors on Actors series.  This time around it's the great Michelle Williams and Patricia Clarkson talking about the...

Hello, Creative Army!  Miss me?  It was a remarkable and rewarding week plus at Cannes this year.  Our Stage 32 events with the Marche were packed to the gills and filled with inspiring, motivational and actionable information.  And it was standing room only at our party at the American Pavilion.  A full recap coming soon right here on the Stage 32 Blog.  In the meantime, if you'd like to see some photos and videos from Cannes 2019, click here. Now it's time to jump into another long overdue e...

What's up, Creative Army. Happy Sunday to you and to all our incredible moms around the world, a very Happy Mother's Day. As a reminder, we're gearing up for a jam packed couple of weeks at Cannes. If you're attending, remember to RSVP to all our events HERE. Now, whaddaya say we dive in to another edition of Coffee & Content? Everyone likes crackling dialogue in their movies, but for most writers, the practice is easier said than done. And sometimes what's in your head, doesn't quite come...