Filmmaking

Media Platforms 101 New technology and platforms pop up every time you open your phone or a tab in your browser. With updated and additional software, media and social platforms, apps, algorithms, and search engine optimization rules, it’s hard to keep up. When it comes to marketing, these are common attitudes: Newbie: “I just need to get my book on Facebook, and I’ll be rich.” Arm crosser: “I don’t do social media. I tried Facebook once. It didn’t work.” Seasoned platform user: “You c...

Happy Tuesday, Creative Army! Today officially kicks off the 2024 American Film Market!  Every November, the entire global film industry converges for AFM, the premier film acquisition, development, and networking event where more than $1 Billion in distribution and film financing deals are closed each year on completed films and those in every stage of development. More business-oriented than any other motion picture event, thousands of professionals from all corners of our industry come to...

Happy Wednesday, Stage 32 Community! I hope that the last month has been joyful and productive for you all! Our Stage 32 Education Team has certainly been hard at work to bring incredible education opportunities and resources to this fantastic community. This November, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, award-winning writers, producers, directors, consultants, authors, actors, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on or re...

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 essay by Thomas Flight, he’s analyzing Hollywood’s obsession with the theme of ambition, by taking a closer look at praised projects that are centered around this theme like The Bear, and contrasting it with its opposite, Wim Wenders and Takuma Takasaki’s film Perfect Days. So why...

We’ve all heard the stories. Paranormal Activity, a film with a budget slightly less than a used Honda, made $193 million worldwide and launched a profitable franchise. That film’s progenitor, The Blair Witch Project, had a $60K budget and turned out a $250 million box office haul. The most profitable films from 2010 to 2015 were all horror films. 10. The Last Exorcism ($68M gross vs. $1.8M production budget) 9. Annabelle ($257M vs. $6.5M) 8. Chernobyl Diaries ($37M vs. $1M) 7. Ins...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. First up, in this video from It Was A Sh*t Show, they’re sharing an in-depth vi...

In this survival guide, I'll be focusing on a checklist of things to keep in mind when shooting a horror film. It's no surprise that horror films cost less to produce and shoot. A good example is Jordan Peele’s Get Out. James Wan made his career with the SAW franchise. Horror films bring in lots of money at the box office and audiences flock to the screen to get their fright on! With that in mind, let's dive right into the belly of the beast. Costume & Make-up Design If there is one thing...

Happy Friday, Stage 32 Community! Joining a platform like Stage 32 can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. While we’re incredibly proud of all of the resources, events, and unique perks that we offer our members, we know that it can take time to get your footing and know where to look to find what you’re most in need of. That’s why the Stage 32 team works so hard to reach you with the information that you need and be a constant source of support. Starting with this helpful guide s...

I remember when I first dove my toes into screenwriting. I was working in retail at the time and going to school full-time. At the time, I was lucky that the software I had recently purchased for writing my novels also allowed me to format screenplays. Shortly after that, there was a project I was working on collaboratively with another writer. They introduced me to a second program because it allowed for more open collaboration. Over the years, I’ve played with different pieces of software a...

Happy Wednesday, Friends! As many of you already know, Stage 32 Certification has been bringing new film commissions, institutes, colleges, streamers, and other organizations into the mix. This week we’re welcoming the Zagreb Film Office in Croatia to Stage 32 Certification! The Zagreb Film Office and Stage 32 are excited to partner to bring Certification opportunities to creative professionals in the Zagreb, Croatia area. This is their chance to get certified in multiple production skills...