Filmmaking

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. Whether you’re building worlds on set or crafting the story that brings them to life, the journey of a creative is all about transforming ideas into reality. This week’s Coffee & Content is here to inspire and empower you to tackle those challenges head-on. First up, in this fantastic video, Adam Savag...

Over the last 8 years in LA as a director and producer, I feel like I've seen so many sides of the filmmaking world. I've done backyard shorts with friends and family with guerilla shooting, I've done features for over a million dollars, I've directed a big studio episodic for TV, and I’ve even funded my own short docs. As everyone in the industry knows, this work can be intense. We often have long hours. We give 120% of our brain power dissecting scripts, making shot lists, and scouting locat...

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! As many of you already know, Stage 32 Certification has been bringing new film commissions, institutes, colleges, streamers, and other organizations into the mix on a consistent basis. This week we’re thrilled to welcome the Pittsburgh Film Office to Stage 32 Certification! The Pittsburgh Film Office and Stage 32 are excited to partner to bring Certification opportunities to creative professionals in the Pittsburgh, PA area. This is their chance to get certifie...

Last year, I watched a YouTube video interview with a working screenwriter who said it took him ten years to make a feature film. What a coincidence; that’s how long it took me to make a deal for Purgatory Station, recently released on Amazon Prime, Fandango, and Tubi. And when I say a feature, I don’t mean a microbudget indie that plays on the festival circuit. I mean a film with a legitimate distributor that gets it onto proven streaming networks. At the risk of immodesty, this was a goal I wo...

Happy Tuesday, Stage 32 Community! Our Stage 32 Team has been working diligently to bring in new educational and mentoring resources and opportunities to this fantastic community! This January, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, award-winning writers, producers, directors, cinematographers, coaches, consultants, authors, actors, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on or represented such projects as JOY RIDE, NOW YOU SE...

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 by In Depth Cine, he’s analyzing the most common 4 reasons why starting a career in filmmaking can be so difficult. All of his points are topics that I’ve spoken on before and we provide many courses right here on Stage 32 where working professionals can help you better understand...

Fun. The main reason most of us got into (or are trying to get into) the film and TV industry is because it sounds so much fun! And it is - some of the best times of my life have been on set. I have been lucky enough to have filmed all over the world, from Pinewood to Bollywood and from Montana to the Sahara. I’ve worked on some really wonderful productions and I’ve been on some really awful productions that if I could get in my TARDIS, travel back in time, and change that timeline - then I woul...

Creating Paradise Falls: A Christmas Story has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. This film is more than just a Christmas story; it’s a testament to perseverance, passion, and the power of collaboration across borders.   As the producer and founder of Café Cinema and Café Televisión, I have always been deeply committed to my craft, striving to deliver work of the highest quality. This dedication has earned me international recognition in the industry, a responsibility I ca...

Happy New Year, Creative Army! Hope you all had a terrific holiday season and are now ready to launch into 2025! Those of you who have been around the site for a while know that on New Year's Day, we utilize the Stage 32 Blog to discuss and share our plans for the coming year. So... What are you looking to accomplish in 2025? What are your creative goals? What skills are you looking to learn? What fears are you looking to overcome? What strategies are you planning on implementing...

There’s a natural soul-searching during this time of year. Do I spend money on my loved ones, or is quality time more important? Have I been spending too much time investing in my work, or not enough? Am I living my best life NOW, or am I still in survival mode? Whether this reflection is brought up by family visits, relaxing vacations, or making plans for the new year, it all comes to a pinnacle as we shift away from celebrating holidays and into starting anew in January. As someone born on N...