Filmmaking

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. This video essay from Film Stack dives into the fascinating career of GARY OLDMAN, an absolute master of transformation. He’s played everything from Dracula to Churchill, Beethoven to Sirius Black. But there was a ti...

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the very individual process a professional creative must go through in order to be present for their “tribe” or be strong enough to lead a team. Especially since doing the work for yourself, BY yourself is essential. It is the foundation of everything else we create. Consider for a moment when you visit a doctor. It is certainly their job to help analyze what ails you and suggest a plan to heal you, expecting them to do all of the work is ineffective at...

Hello Stage 32! As many of you already know, Stage 32 Certification has been training people all around the world in the skills they need to work in the global film production industry. Today, The Made inLimpopo Film Hub is proud to join the over 40 film commissions and guilds working with Stage 32 Certification as a partner to support the Limpono film community. We are also honored and excited that Stage 32 is sponsoring our 2025 Writing for Film Workshop. The winner of the workshop will...

There comes a point in every creator’s journey where the weight of it all feels unbearable. You’ve poured time, energy, and your very soul into a project, only to be met with roadblocks, failures, and moments where quitting seems like the most logical option. The world doesn’t see the sleepless nights, the doubts, the financial strain, the countless rejections. But you do. And that’s exactly why you have to keep going. The Breaking Point is the Turning Point The projects that matter most are...

CASE STUDIES IN DISGUISE Quietly in the background, decades of independent production has given me something of incredible value; project case studies and laser-focused insight. This cumulative past experience now reveals just how much consideration my films have had locked into them from the get-go. (Left to right) Sean O'Grady, Kim Michelle, and Kathleen Murtagh in a production still from Al Carretta's 2024 feature 'It Starts In This Room'. In Autumn 2024, I released my 23rd (Thirst) a...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or just taking time to dream up your next big idea, I’ve got some fresh inspiration to keep that fire lit. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. First up, let’s talk about the start of something great. I’ve always believed the first few moments of any project are crucial. You’ve got one shot to hook your audience, and how you deliver that opening can make all the difference....

In over 15 years of working in the entertainment industry, I’ve learned that there will be many ups and downs in a dream pursuit. There will be obstacles, and good days, and opportunities, and rejections. The High Achiever (a.k.a. you!), needs a game plan through it all. The High Achiever needs to handle all of these moments intentionally and carefully, in a way that effectively keeps them on the path to success. That’s why I developed the 10 Pillars of the High Achiever. Here are the 10 pillars...

Happy Tuesday, Stage 32 Community! If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the path to success in this industry is rarely linear, but with the right education and guidance, your momentum becomes unstoppable. Every day, I get to connect with so many of you: writers, directors, producers, actors, and crew who are putting in the work to build meaningful careers. And it’s my absolute joy to help you find the tools, resources, and industry mentors that can move your projects forward and g...

Writer's block, the worst enemy of my creative mind, has been the talk of much contemplation and study in the realm of writing and psychology. The Breakout Principle, a concept that I use as a shift into mental focus to overcome obstacles, has emerged as a potential antidote to the paralyzing effects of writer's block. This method has served me well. At its center, writer's block is a psychological barrier and is internal, not external. It impedes the creative flow of ideas and words. It often...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. First up, let’s talk tech. Technology is reshaping the entertainment industry in more ways than ever. From post-production tools and screenwriting software to animation programs and platforms like Stage 32 that educa...