Filmmaking

The team and I just returned from the Austin Film Festival, and I can't underestimate the power of putting yourself out there. After talking with hundreds of writers, filmmakers, and producers over the past few days, it's clear that creatives are increasingly thinking globally. Multiple filmmakers approached us to share how they're shooting internationally, partnering with global production companies, and leveraging local tax incentives to push their projects forward. New production hubs are e...

Producing an independent film is an exercise in patience, collaboration, and controlled chaos. The journey of bringing After All to life was no exception. In this blog, I want to pull back the curtain on what producers actually do for your film, and how the right producing team can make all the difference when navigating the unpredictable world of indie filmmaking. The Early Stage: Building the Foundation In the beginning, when the script is finished and the director’s vision starts to crysta...

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. The team over at Corridor Crew recently dropped an incredible video: ONE YEAR of Work for TEN SECONDS of Film. If you love The Matrix, filmmaking, or just watching artists push the boundaries of what’s possible, this...

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...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! I am so excited to share that the Stage 32 Community Open House is back this October — and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and completely reimagined with you at the center. If you’ve attended a Stage 32 Open House in the past, you know it’s one of our most energizing community events — a place to meet fellow creatives, learn how to make the most of the platform, and leave feeling inspired to take your next big step. But this month’s event is completely new. This is...

The Rollercoaster By the time I arrived in Austin a few weeks before filming After All, the experience had already been an exercise in patience and perseverance. Five years had passed since development on the project officially began. As this was my second feature film, I had hoped things might move a bit faster. My first feature, Fair Haven, took about ten long years from start to finish. Two of After All’s development years were lost to a global pandemic, but regardless, the creative part of...

On behalf of the Writers Guild South Africa (WGSA), it is my great pleasure to extend a heartfelt thank you to Stage 32, David Zannoni, and Sam Sokolow for the outstanding webinar recently hosted for our WGSA members, and for your decision to partner with the Guild to offer Stage 32 Certification courses to our writers. As someone deeply committed to the advancement of South African screenwriters and storytellers, I am genuinely excited about the opportunities this partnership brings to our crea...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Let’s kick things off with a huge shoutout to everyone who has already jumped into this month’s Introduce Yourself Weekend. Thousands of creatives from around the world are connecting, sharing their stories, and building relationships that will lead to collaborations, opportunities, and lifelong friendships. If you haven’t yet made your introduction, you’ve still got time! Head over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge before the weekend wraps. Be bold. Introduce you...

We can all agree that it’s nigh impossible for a finished film to be even 90% close to the original screenplay. Budget and logistic constraints can be very limiting for the filmmaker, and often the creative vision changes according to the ebbs and flows of the production. Locations are changed, dialogues are added, and sometimes even characters are edited out. As a result, when the filmmaker has finished post and is busy procuring deliverable material required by film festivals or the distribu...

Happy FriYAY, Stage 32 Community! One of my favorite things about being Head of Community here at Stage 32 is connecting you with opportunities that don’t just inspire you creatively, but give you the tools to level up your career. And next week, we’ve got one you absolutely don’t want to miss. We’re teaming up with SAGindie to bring you an incredible FREE webcast: Short Films, Big Plans: Building Powerful Indie Shorts That Launch Careers Join Us Live Tuesday, October 22nd at 11:00 am PT...