Composing

When you decide to write music for Film and Television as a full-time job, you’ll soon realize that from that moment on it is not just about your music, but about the music business. There is so much to know and to learn about the process of negotiating a deal. I am going to share some of the experiences I have had so far, hoping that it will help you with your negotiations a little bit. When And Why: Signing An Agreement When you are offered a composer job, your first instinct is probably to...

I’ve always told myself and heard the phrase, “Never give up” (then he sat down speech). Which is why I have continued to seek out different producers and others in the film industry for years here at Stage 32. Wanting to write music since my 30’s, I’ve been going to different schools, starting in Ohio. I started in Music Ed. At Wright State University – for two years, I learned music theory and ear training. Then I had an opportunity to perform ‘on the road’ with a group for a year, called Am...

Want Success? Stop Listening to the Hollywood Narrative! Is it just me, or does it feel like Hollywood is set up to make you fail? Obstacle, after obstacle… Rejection, after rejection… It’s *almost* not even worth trying. And I can say ‘almost’ because those of us who still believe in the magic of our dreams, have a passion so strong that we are going to go for it, despite all of the hardships we hear about. If you are one of those people, like me, I want you to really listen to what...

Freelancing in the film industry, whatever your role, and as exciting as it can be, sometimes means navigating turbulent waters. So how do we stay put and not lose sight of our true North? I moved from Italy to Los Angeles in 2016, after a 21-year-long plan to follow my childhood dream of making music for the silver screen. Once in L.A., coming from a 9-to-5 day job, I soon realized how much I had to learn not only about Hollywood but also about how to stay healthy while freelancing. In the...

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...

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...

So you landed a job as a composer for a Film. Congratulations! But now where do you start? I think a good point is to build a positive relationship with your Director. That could definitely contribute to the success of your gig. Like any other kind of human relationship, there are no rules to make it work and there is always room for improvement, but here you’ll find some tips and thoughts, based on my experience, that I think might be helpful. Let’s suppose you have negotiated the deal, the...

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...

Happy Monday Stage 32-ers! Over the past 12 years, we here at Stage 32 have been thrilled to be recognized throughout the industry as the leaders in online film craft and business education. We are honored to be partnered with some of the most prestigious film festivals and markets in the world including the American Film Market and the Cannes Film Festival Marché du film to name a few. Now, for the 8th year in a row, we are thrilled to be joining forces with one of the few Oscar-qualifying...