Filmmaking

Happy Monday, Creative Army! As many of you already know, Stage 32 Certification has been bringing new film commissions, studios, institutes, colleges, streamers, and other organizations into the mix on a consistent basis. This week we’re thrilled to welcome the hq7 Studios in Austria to Stage 32 Certification! hq7 Studios in Austria and Stage 32 are excited to partner to bring Certification opportunities to creative professionals in Austria, one of Europe’s leading film and TV locations ac...

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. If there’s one question that every filmmaker asks themselves, it’s “Where do I put the camera?” It's a deceptively simple question, but as we all know, the answer can make or break a scene. This week, we’re diving into an insightful video essay by Every Frame a Painting, which explores the critical thoug...

Welcome back to TALKING BUSINESS: Insights from the Independent Film Industry, hosted by Stage 32 Thought Leader and Business Consultant, David Zannoni, from Freeway Entertainment and Zannoni Media. In TALKING BUSINESS, David brings you in-depth conversations on the behind-the-scenes of the filmmaking business with industry veterans. In today’s fifth episode, David is talking with Daniel Castillejos, a leading entertainment lawyer based in Mexico City, who runs his boutique firm Clearance & Co...

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 by Vanity Fair, Wicked Director Jon M. Chu and Cinemato...

I remember seeing the van speeding toward my vehicle. When it struck, the impact sent a shudder through my nerves. Fortunately, I had enough sense to lean away from the window, so my head didn’t smash through the glass but only slammed into it with a mild “thud”. I was left with a bump on my head instead of a concussion, or worse. The car, sadly, did not fare as well: it was a write-off. Later, I learned that a piece of the engine had been propelled through the bodywork and had missed me by i...

The television and film industry is often perceived as glamorous, fast-paced, and competitive. While it can be all of those things, there is one aspect that underpins success in this industry: community and collaboration. No matter how talented or driven you are, forging meaningful relationships and fostering a spirit of collaboration is essential for building a sustainable career in entertainment. Why Community Matters in Film and Television Shared Knowledge and Mentorship The entertainmen...

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...