Composing

I recently gave some thought to what actions and strategies had made the most significant impacts in my success over the years.   I was surprised to realize how it really was not the things most of us expect. Not agents. Not union membership. Not publicity. Not awards or accolades. Not proactive networking.   The reality is far more subtle, nuanced and more powerful than any of those things. It took decades of perspective for me to recognize the indisputable patterns. When...

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...

In February of 2011, we went live with the first iteration of Stage 32. For me personally, this was the culmination of 3 years of plotting, planning, executing, and, ultimately, fully forming and realizing an embryonic idea that had been living in my head and keeping me awake at night. As you might imagine, it was an exciting moment. Still, I didn’t know how people would take to the idea. From a business standpoint, I had done it backwards. Normally, you take (what you believe to be) your fab...

Happy Thursday Creative Army! You’ve heard me say it a thousand times, no matter what your goals as a creative or an entrepreneur, you are the CEO of You Inc.Recently, I had the pleasure of being a guest of my dear friend and mega producer, Alexia Melocchi's, uplifting and enlightening podcast, The Heart of Show Business. We discussed many topics I believe will help inspire and motivate you including how you’re much more in control than you think you are, how to make your own luck, how to c...

Stage 32 is proud to continue our partnership with Raindance Film Festival and its founder Elliot Grove and Festival Producer David Martinez for the 6th year in a row! This year, Raindance has an impressive lineup of features, shorts, and documentaries from amazing filmmakers all over the world and will be honoring Sir Michael Cane with their Icon Award. In person, the festival will bring this year’s program of ground-breaking indie features to a range of new venues as Raindance partners for t...

Happy Wednesday Creative Army! Since 2011, the Stage 32 team has been working tirelessly to help you stay connected, creative, motivated, and informed. As always, we are committed to bringing you networking opportunities, education and mentoring from top-level industry executives and professionals, and access to decision-makers around the globe all from the comfort of your own home. Recently our efforts have been noticed by the media in a big way. We are incredibly proud and honored that Sta...

“Stay in your lane.” Stings, doesn’t it? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it. There are plenty of people in the industry who will, though. Studies, such as the Asch Conformity Experiments, exemplify the power a group of people can have over an individual’s decision-making, especially if the desire to be accepted by that group is strong. Like storytellers who wish to join the “entertainment industry”, for example? These four words can quickly kill the spark of enthusiasm and ingenuity that drives all...

Greetings, Stage 32 Creative Army! I want to personally invite you to the 13th Annual Burbank International Film Festival (BIFF), which will be returning in person this year to the Burbank AMC 16 Theaters for live screenings and events, running from September 9-12, 2021. The festival has chosen Mads Mikkelsens’ award-winning film RIDERS OF JUSTICE (courtesy of Magnolia Pictures/Magnet Releasing), as their Opening Night feature to launch this year’s event on Thursday, September 9, 2021. ...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! I've got my coffee in hand and your weekly dose of content coming in hot - grab your coffee of choice and let's dive right in. First up, our friends over at Netflix put together an amazing behind-the-scenes video about the making of the Emmy-nominated series The Queen's Gambit. In this video, lead actor Anya Taylor-Joy, writer/director Scott Frank, and several other amazing cast/crew members take you deep inside the making of the show that scored a staggering 18 E...

What is up Creative Army? Today, I wanted to share some exciting news. Our fearless leader, Rich "RB" Botto, who I have worked alongside for the last 10 years, has been recognized by Fast Company as a CEO and thought leader who has been disrupting the industry in which his company operates. As a result, RB has been officially named to the Executive Board of Fast Company. For nearly 25 years Fast Company has profiled some of the business industry's biggest disruptors -- companies that move FAST...