Inspirational

Whether it’s a knock on the greenroom door or a pre-show roll to opening credits, the “5 Until Showtime” shoutout always makes my heart flutter with anticipation. “5 Until Showtime” signals that “it’s happening,” you are happening, and the performance or project that you’ve been working on is now being launched into the world to live a life of its own. Taking anything from idea to implementation is a huge task, with working relationships being the fundamental building blocks to success. The be...

It’s a familiar story: you have the ingredients, a completed screenplay, comparable films, a target audience, a finance plan, a marketing strategy, a ‘wish list’ of talent, location ideas, bundles of enthusiasm... But there’s one vital missing component: funding. As a ‘balanced producer,’ you try to be patient. You wait for emails and calls, make pitches, submit to competitions, consider mentoring schemes and courses, and throw everything at it. But the months and years roll on, and still noth...

In the wild jungle that is the film industry, this is the motto that I try to live by: Make your film no matter what.  Two years ago, in 2020, I finished and released my first film, a 20-minute-long romantic comedy titled Titus & Mirabella. Great timing, I know. And I mean this both in a sarcastic and a not sarcastic way. It was great timing because my film was dealing with the topic of germophobia, so I think it resonated with a lot of people, given the fact that we were going through a pande...

“Why don’t we just make it ourselves?” This was the question posed to me in January 2021 by producer Michael Alfieri of Miantri Films regarding my script, The Throwback. The start of every new year gives us a newfound boldness and optimism. “I will lose fifty pounds.” “I will read 20 books per month.” “I will learn Tuvan throat singing.” That’s me. So when Mike posed that question, my response was an enthusiastic “YES!” Why not? Never mind that my annual new year’s optimism routinely vanishes by...

Don't ever give up... That's it... Blog done. Okay, so you want to know where that comes from... Well, I started writing my screenplay two years ago. It's called The Postcard, and it is based on the true story of my great grandparents. I have wanted to tell this story since my father told me all about it when I was 11 years old. I've written poems and songs about it, I've tried writing it as a novel over the years, but for some reason, I just could not keep it going and totally gave up....

Behind every animated film, there's a creator. These creators' contribution to this industry has shaped the industry in large ways. From their visual style, color combinations, the stories they tell, use of inclusive representation, and more, these artists have helped impact their own industry and audiences who love their work.  In this article, you will find nine animators who shaped the world of animation and a few lessons we can learn from their experiences. So let's get into it! Hayao...

Certain success markers have become so ingrained in our industry that we may be striving for them without knowing there's much of an alternative. How did your latest film do? Did it go viral? Did it get into festivals? Any good festivals? How about distribution? Did it make a profit? What’s the Rotten Tomato Score on your feature? How many five-star reviews do you have on Prime Video? Yes, but are those reviews Verified Purchases? While we’re on the subject, how’s your IMDb ranking? How...

I still remember the email that came to my inbox inviting me to join Stage 32. I was intrigued and quickly clicked through to see what opportunities might lie ahead for me, being someone who’s all about making new connections and discovering new and helpful resources. While we’ve all experienced a degree of online video conferencing burnout from doing far too much of it during the pandemic, the Stage 32 online community that we all know and love can be so impactful. Between requests to “join...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! I've got my coffee in hand and your weekly dose of content coming in hot - grab your coffee of choice and let's dive right in. First up, the Acting Career Center shares 5 mistakes beginner actors make. Hosted by Kurt Yue, an Atlanta-based actor with over 50 credits, this video covers self-tape audition tips, why you shouldn't pretend (or mime) actions in auditions, how to handle your first on set experience, and more.  Next up, The Writers Guild Foundation share...

I had a dream once. I had a dream, and oh! I dreamed it boldly and strongly, and I shouted it into the wind for everyone to hear! And proudly, I proclaimed it, told it to everyone who was willing to listen. With pride in my chest and a thrill in my voice, I called it out: I’m going to be a filmmaker! I’m going to work in the film industry! And so I worked, and I plotted, and I networked, and I wrote as much as I could, and I learned my trade and dipped my toes in, and then… then I took t...