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Featured Stage 32 Blogs
Coffee & Content: What Are 3 Things That Motivate You?
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 fantastic interview from Film Courage, Screenwriter, Director, & Editor R.J. Daniel Hanna is sharing the truths that no one can teach you about screenwriting. Honing in on the hard fact that sometimes “good” isn’t good enough. As creatives, rejection is a constant part of the journey an...
5 Tips For Creating Great Characters In Your Screenplay
There are so many different aspects to your screenplay that will guarantee its success. A compelling story is one such aspect, but without interesting characters, the story will just fall flat. Here are some tips to help you write the best characters possible, and bring that story to life. 1. Make The Lead A Likable Person You may want to avoid this, as trying to make a character likable can often make the story dull and uninteresting. After all, if there's no one creating conflict, then the...
5 Rules For Writing Horror
So you’ve finally caught on that the easiest script to get made is horror. It’s global, it’s cheap and it’s the most-made genre with independent investors. What do you need to know? 1) Low Budget If You Are Not Established There are so many genius horror movies that take place in a house or a hotel or in the woods. Why? Because you only need one location. Monsters are tricky, but ghosts that you never really have to see (Paranormal Activity) are cheap. The cheaper your budget, the more likely...
Gender Equality in Animation
We had two buildings when I started working at Walt Disney Feature Animation in 1999. There was the Northside building up near the Burbank Airport and the Southside building across the street from the lot off the 134 Freeway. It's commonly referred to as the "Hat Building" because of the giant iconic wizard's hat from The Sorcerer's Apprentice on the west end. The original Disney Animation building still stands in the middle of the Disney lot, but now it's mainly production offices. It has a lon...
What I’ve Learned About Screenwriting From Stage 32!
I started screenwriting and joined Stage32 in 2016 when I read a statistic that only one out of 3,000 feature scripts are made into a movie. My response was, “I’ll just write 3,000 scripts.” I’ve received great feedback and encouragement from RB and the Stage 32 community. I want to share my three most important lessons after almost eight years into this new chapter in my life after a career as a scientist. 1) Just Keep Writing I’ve completed 90 scripts to date. I try to write compelling, con...
Can Someone Tell Me What Producers Even Do?
My name is Tennyson E. Stead, and I’m a showperson with thirty years of stage experience, fifteen years in film development, and more than 40 screenplays under my belt as a writer. I’ve survived fraudster film producers, I’ve survived a crippling brain injury subsequent to having an actor accidentally beat my head in with a prop sword, I’ve survived homelessness, starvation, and even employment as an Arclight Cinemas usher and concessionaire in order to make my dreams and plans in Hollywood a re...
Announcing the 5th Annual Feature Drama Screenwriting Contest
Hey, Stage 32 Community! The Biggest Feature Screenplay Contest in the World is Back! Ever dreamt of seeing your feature film script come to life on the big screen or streaming on TVs in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! Drama is the basis of every story that endures throughout entertainment. From the world-altering tension of OPPENHEIMER to the relentless turmoil of KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON and the emotional depth of THE HOLDOVERS, audie...
Coffee & Content: Is The Spec Sale Market Heating Up Again?
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 StudioBinder, they’re explaining Aristotle’s Poetics, one of the earliest examples of literary theory analyzing dramatic storytelling. By understanding Aristotle’s 6 principles- plot, character, thought, diction, spectacle, and song, you’re mastering a guide that if followed...
Navigating Social Media Marketing For Creatives
Whether you are making Hollywood blockbusters, indie darlings, or passion projects in your back yard marketing your film on social media is incredibly beneficial. However, you may not be sure where to start. This article hopes to give you a guide, offering tips and advice on using social media as a creative. Create a Plan Work out what you want to share and when you want to share your posts. Take time to work out your target audience and post at the best times for them in order to get the m...
How Working With A Publicity Consultant May Help You Stay Within Budget
I know it’s thrilling when you’re in the midst of creating something. However, many put off working with publicity, even for consultation, because many think it’s going to be really expensive. To be sure, a full-scale publicity campaign can get quite expensive—depending on several factors. However, consulting with publicity in a limited capacity can be a smart investment to help you figure out your specific publicity strategy without making a total commitment until you’re ready. Which in the lon...