Inspirational

You probably already know this, but there is no one way to succeed in Hollywood. Everybody has their own story, their own steps, their own specifics that got them to where they are. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn anything from them. Dreams tend to feel out of reach until there are tangible steps to take, so we need something to grasp to help us move forward. While everyone’s stories are different, there are steps that most people take for every dream. I call this the Foundational Ladd...

Can’t Find The Time? You Got To Make The Time! You have it all down. You have the story, the plot points, and you may have even started the script. But you just can’t find the time to finish it. Like many of us, life just gets in the way…whether it’s work, family, or friends. What do you do when you can’t find the time to finish your screenplay? Well, here’s the good news: everyone gets a fresh batch of 24 hours to use every day. With a little planning and a lot of discipline, you can steadi...

Through 14 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...

You Know More Than You Think You Do When I was a struggling writer and actor in my twenties, I worked as a waiter in an Asian-fusion restaurant. Lots of double shifts, very few studio offers (read: none). When someone told me “Write what you know,” I thought they were telling me that I should write a screenplay about a white twenty-something and the dramas they experienced in the restaurant business. (And, to be fair, maybe they were.) And I didn’t want to write about that, nor did I think anyo...

Happy Tuesday Stage 32-ers! Over the past 10 years, we here at Stage 32 have been thrilled to be recognized throughout the industry as the leaders in online film craft and business education. We are honored to be partnered with some of the most prestigious film festivals and markets in the world including the American Film Market, Cannes Film Festival and the Marché du film, and Raindance Film Festival in London, to name a few. Now, for the 7th year in a row, we are thrilled to be joining fo...

We started as novelists. We, meaning my wife, Jennifer, and I, who met a mere six years ago as aspiring novelists. Then life stepped in. Then two kids stepped in. Then … I am sure a good number of people here understand. Last year we had the “we aren't getting any younger” talk. Viola’! We tightened our belts and last year wrote our first script based on our own content. As a former technical consultant to a few production companies many years ago, I thought we would be invited with open arms....

Happy Sunday Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee and let's dive in. First up, In Depth Cine shares a deep dive into how writer/director Taika Waititi shoots films at 3 very different budget levels. Specifically, they break down the budgets and aesthetics of Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2.5 Million), JoJo Rabbit (14 Million), and Thor: Ragnarok (180 Million). Next up, Varie...

“You cannot have a victory without a battle.” - Kawan Glover, Author, Screenwriter, and Victory Coach My fellow creatives, it’s time to celebrate! Complete a screenplay draft? Great! Win a contest? Fantastic! Secure financing for your film? Phenomenal! But what else is worth celebrating? Must we wait for the accolades to feel good about our work? Recognizing our efforts, whether personal or professional, creative or pragmatic, is an essential step on the journey to be our best selves. Per...

How It Started Earlier this year I joined Stage 32 and I’ve already made some great connections. Now, I’m working on an animated feature screenplay, and an animated TV pilot screenplay with fellow writers I’ve met through Stage 32. Not too bad from where I started about seven years ago. I didn’t start my journey by graduating from college with a degree or being a child prodigy with a pencil attached to my hand since I was five. My journey began by walking into a bookstore and purchasing a “Ho...

Good Morning my Warriors of Writing, my Sultans of Storytelling, my Colossi of Creativity! A Preamble Before you dive in, I want to tell you why I wrote this blog post. I will break into this industry, become an acclaimed writer, and set a new standard. This is not a belief. This is a promise. I'm not the best writer, but I'm dedicated to my craft, so this article is for those who are just as dedicated. Those willing to make that same promise and set the path ablaze to create a new standar...