Coffee & Content

Happy Sunday, everyone.  Hope you're all enjoying the weekend. Before we get started, a reminder that I am hosting another AMA (Ask Me Anything) this week, right here on Stage 32.  I'll be answering all your craft, business and industry questions in what is sure to be a lively session this coming Tuesday beginning at 1PM PST.  This is a FREE webcast.  You can register here. Now...Coffee ready?  Let's roll. First up, one of the most celebrated and studied screenplays of all time is Chinatow...

Greetings and salutations, Creative Army.  And a happy Sunday to you all. Got a little French press workin'.  How about we compliment it with some content? First up, a look at two of my favorite films, Boogie Nights and the legendary Goodfellas.  How did P.T. and Marty go about setting their mood (visually) for these films?  Our friends at Entertain the Elk break it all down in one cool, comprehensive video essay. Next, another great video from the crew at Lessons from the Screenplay.  Thi...

Hope you are all having a fantastic weekend.  Let's amp it up further with a little Coffee & Content action. First up, a Film Courage video featuring one of our very own.  Mark Sanderson is not only very active in the Stage 32 community, but is constantly helping writers behind the scenes as well.  Here he discusses what he believes are the 5 worst habits screenwriters fall into. Next up, some quality advice from Emmy Award winning casting director, Holly Powell.  In this video, Holly guides...

Happy Sunday, everyone.  Let's get to the action, shall we? We start this edition of Coffee & Content with a video from our friends at StudioBinder and Dan Harmon. Dan has been quite prolific over the last decade plus and here he explains his 8 proven steps to better stories. Next up, a look at cuts and transitions with examples from some iconic, classic, and recent films designed to help your editing skills. As always, I ask that you share this content with those you believe would benefit...

Welcome to Sunday, everyone. And another edition of Coffee & Content. From our friends at IndyMogul, and for all those making or thinking about producing/filming a short film, it's the appropriately titled 7 Things to Know About Making Short Films! Next up, it's 5 Tips for Acting brought to you by the good peeps at Film Riot. There you have it...Short and sweet. A quick word of thanks to all who have taken the time in recent weeks to share and comment on this content.  While I get much s...

Happy Sunday, guys!  Hope you're having a great weekend.  It's been an inspiring one around these parts with another lively edition of Introduce Yourself weekend.  If you haven't posted or contributed, you're missing out on what's been a July record for new connections made here on Stage 32.  Join the biggest online networking party here. For Coffee and Content this week, I have two items I think you'll find inspiring and motivating.  First up, I often receive letters, private messages or simp...

Welcome to another edition to Coffee & Content.  Hope you're all enjoying your weekend! First up this week, it's no secret that Pixar has a knack for telling great stories.  But how does the magic happen time and again?  How about a TedTalk on the subject?  Danielle Feinberg, Pixar's director of photography, creates stories with soul and wonder using math, science and code. Go behind the scenes of Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Brave, WALL-E and more, and discover how Pixar interweaves art and scien...

Happy Sunday, everyone.  Hope you're all well rested and ready for some quality content. In this edition of Coffee & Content, we begin with the comedy of the Coen Brothers.  For my money, no filmmakers have embraced a wider range of comedy over the last 30 years than the Coens.  Sometimes darkly funny, other times broadly humorous, the Coens manage to mine laughs out of just about any scenario.  How do they get it done?  Our first video deconstructs the ins and outs of what makes it all come t...

Hello, creative army.  Happy Sunday. Earlier this week, I published a blog called First Time Screenwriter at 41, Oscar Nominated at 46 which chronicled the journey of arguably the hottest screenwriter on the planet, Taylor Sheridan.  The blog was extremely well received (give a read through the comments section for the wide variety of opinions and personal stories) and served as a source of inspiration and motivation for many. It also led to me receiving numerous emails asking me to post some...

What's up, my creative friends?  Ready for some more killer content to push you through the remainder of the weekend and get you fired up for the week ahead?  Good.  Let's roll. For many filmmakers, Sidney Lumet's book, Making Movies, is a beloved treasure.  Today I bring you a fantastic (and rare) interview featuring Lumet speaking about his process.  This is one I have no doubt you'll bookmark for repeat viewings - and deservedly so. Next, one of the bigger laments we hear from our executi...