Inspirational

The industry is rapidly changing, but no matter what your skill set or goals, one thing always remains true in entertainment: it's all about 'who you know'. At the center of everything that Stage 32 does is our global community. As you know, this platform is free to join and connect with people at various stages of their careers. No matter what is happening in the world, you can still join in this community and connect with others, so that you have allies that you can turn to for support and c...

We have many different names for the fear that comes along with creative pursuits. Sometimes we call it “Imposter Syndrome.” Sometimes we call it “Resistance” (because, I think, sometimes we hit writer’s block because we’re listening to fear). Sometimes we call it “The Inner Critic.” But no matter what we call it, the effect it has is the same: it’s Snow White’s poisoned apple, that creates a paralyzing slowness that congeals until it looks like death. Fear and I have a long-standing relations...

Hey, Stage 32ers! Whether you're just starting your career or are a total pro, working in entertainment is as much about mindset as it is about doing the work. In today's vlog, I want you to look at your approach to your career so that you can set yourself up for success in the long run. Wishing you a very happy, healthy, & creative week. Cheers, RB If you would like more great industry and career advice, as well as inside access to what's happening behind the scenes at Stage 32, yo...

If your screenplay lands in the forest, will anyone find it? Yes, I’ve mangled an old trope, but the point I’m making is this: as screenwriters we need to proactively ensure our scripts reach producers once we complete our polished creations. After all, the whole point of writing a script is to get it filmed! Fortunately, I discovered the Stage 32 Pitch Sessions. I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical at first, but I decided they would be a great way to connect with executives and others in the...

I’ve had a love affair with writing for as long as I can remember, but my journey wasn’t always on a straight road. Being a screenwriter who after a 27-year hiatus from writing returned to his craft with a renewed passion and dedication, I had written a series of whimsical short stories that were well-received by readers. However, life and its responsibilities took center stage, and I put my writing on hold to focus on other things. During my hiatus, I lived life with no regrets. I gained a we...

We prep. We plan. We come up with moments before, inner dialogue, the character's back history and emotional ties. We’re off book, the pitch deck is set, and then…wait, what!? Plot twist. Something interesting happens the moment we step into the audition room, or the camera hits record. Any of our prep or scene work oftentimes goes out the window and fear sets in. Instead of letting anxiety get the best of the opportunity at hand, or what could happen in the future — which is the cause of anxi...

Hey, Stage 32ers! Hope you had a productive and connective Introduce Yourself Weekend and, for those in Los Angeles, you were able to join the in-person meet-up! This week the WGA overwhelmingly voted in support of a strike if necessary (just a reminder that this was not an announcement that they would strike). I've been asked a lot if fears of a strike would cause buyers to rush to grab projects that maybe aren't 100% in tip-top shape, giving up-and-coming writers a chance to break in. The tr...

Do you have a screenplay that didn’t get into a competition? A film without distribution? An idea that you just don’t know how to make a move on? I have been in all these positions and more than once. So how do we move forward as artists when the world seemingly continues to push back on us? This is the big question and I hope to provide some insight based on my real-world experience. How I work hard to "fail up" as a filmmaker. For anyone who has read my previous blog posts, you’ll know that...

Networking is too often associated with adjectives such as uncomfortable, artificial, or intimidating. However, there are concrete ways to change your mindset and navigate these situations effectively so it goes back to what it was originally intended for: creating and solidifying meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships, in your industry and beyond. 1. Think About Your Purpose As a film producer, I have always wanted to work with people from all over the world to make authentic...

I don’t know when inspiration happens to you, but for me, it’s in the wee small hours of the morning before my mind and emotions become the loudest voices in the room. It’s when I first awake, when I am not quite “all there”. It’s in the magic original minutes before the myriad of daily concerns rush back into my consciousness. That’s when my inspiration manifests and when anything seems possible. In those moments I can see the path ahead clearly and know what I have to do. No concerns, const...