Filmmaking

I have a secret. I write screenplays. There, I said it. It feels good to get that out in the open.   If you live across the pond in the States, that sentiment might seem strange. After all, coffee shops are chock full of people hammering away at their latest screenplay. Even the barista and unbeknownst to him his cat Twinkles are all working on the next spec to crack Hollywood.   Over here in Ireland, it’s a little different. Divulging that you write screenplays in not something you do in po...

Running this site has afforded me the opportunity to speak in front of creatives from all over the world about the power of networking, particularly online networking.  Often, questions I'm asked during these teaching moments inform some of the blogs, resources, and classes we feature here on Stage 32.  There's one question I'm asked most often which sparked some changes and new features we're introducing today.   That question is:  What's the biggest mistake creatives make when it co...

Our family’s movie fanaticism started a few years ago when my oldest son, Ben, who has Asperger’s, developed an obsession with Star Wars.  Not only did he have toys, blankets, posters, and a lunch box emblazoned with images from the movie, but every conversation was dominated by his opinions or memorized facts about the film.  I knew from my schooling and training that the best way to help a child on the autism spectrum with a singular obsession is to expand from his/her initial interest.  So...

"When it comes to art, you're either in, or not in. If you're half in, you're not in." -- Richard "RB" Botto Our thanks to Duane Barnhart from The Door Post Project for having our Founder and CEO, Richard "RB" Botto, on his highly popular podcast featuring entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry. For an hour Duane and RB discussed RB's background from New York to LA, how he got into the entertainment business, and the evolution of Stage 32.  They went over breaking into the busines...

The Hire I had been hanging around the Universal lot for months, hoping I could find a way onto one of the massive soundstages to get myself a job.   I was terrified of getting kicked off the lot again and thought that if I tried to enter the stage, it would certainly happen. If only I knew then what I know now... (for the uninitiated: if you look like you belong, nobody will question you).   Anyway. There were signs on every door to the stage which read:     It's funny now to think th...

The Sneak I had been living with my Dad on and off for a few years (whenever my Mom didn't move me back with her) and he lived only a couple of blocks from Universal Studios. I remember buying my first Universal Season Pass (when it only cost nine bucks!). I used to go up there every weekend and ride the tour. Sometime later, I heard the story of how Spielberg had snuck into the lot and set himself up in an office (true? guess we'll never really know) and found myself determined to pull off a s...

1,000 Stage 32 members from 36 countries joined our Founder and CEO, RB, for the October 2014 edition of On Stage with RB.  For almost 3 hours he went over site features, answered Stage 32 community member questions and brought on 2 special guests for exciting interviews – Mitchell Peck and David Rountree. 25 year producing veteran Mitchell Peck talked about the current state of the film industry as it relates to production and development. Mitchell also explained how he raised funding for an...

It’s an exciting week for filmmakers under the age of 18 who submitted their trailers to the Stage 32 and U + Trailer Film Festival. After receiving over 150 entries, we have chosen the top 10 trailers. We were simply amazed at the talent that poured in from the next generation of filmmakers. The top 10 contestants will be judged by a panel of celebrities and industry professionals including: Nicola Pearcey (Managing Director, Lionsgate UK), William Romeo (American Gladiator), Kierston Warein...

We are excited to let you know that the special Stage 32 3 Year Anniversary On Stage with RB is now available On Demand for FREE! In a live and interective online webinar, Stage 32 Founder and CEO, RB spent 3 (yes, 3!) hours going over site features and answering your questions.  In honor of Stage 32's 3 year anniversary, we had on special guests Doug Richardson (screenwriter Die Hard 2, Bad Boys, Hostage) and Rex Pickett (writer, Sideways). RB opened up for Q&A with the community and talked...

Please help support our future generation of filmmakers by sharing the Stage 32 and U + Trailer Film Festival. This opportunity is available to anyone in the world under the age of 18 to film and submit a trailer to be judged by industry executives.  The filmmaker of the highest judged trailer will be work directly with industry executives to turn their material into a short film. (Complete details are below) There are only 2 more weeks left to enter!   We've been blown away by the tra...