Networking

Someone who was a guest on my weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast recently had a massive opportunity, getting to open for country star Lainey Wilson. That’s an opportunity that my interviewee won’t soon forget. When she posted about it on Instagram, I pulled out the old, “Don’t forget us little people when someone is sharing a video someday of opening for you” in commenting on her reel. I can paint you a picture of the long, long road of how I ever got to her in the first place. And...

Hello to the Stage 32 Community! I’m Producer Kristen Lucas, founder of the production and management company, Goldilocks Productions. “We tell stories about badass women”. My background is in corporate retail marketing and, for a time, I was the Marketing Manager for HomeGoods. I went to grad school for Screenwriting at Emerson College in Boston, MA. After writing one feature script I realized screenwriting wasn’t for me. Fast forward… After navigating the changes brought on by 2020, while...

Hello Creative Army! Over the past 13 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 and the Cannes Film Festival Marché du film to name a few. Now, for the 9th year in a row, we are thrilled to be joining forces with one of the few Oscar-qualifying short...

When It All Slows Down, Don’t Give Up Have you ever heard of The Three-Legged Stool? It sounds like a children’s fable, doesn’t it? It’s more like an industry fable, and it’s just as invaluable as The Deathly Hallows. In fact, many have attributed it to their longevity in the industry. Allow me to tell you the wisdom behind the notion, and make of it what you will... It is said every professional creative should have three distinct ways to stay active in their career. The three legs are: what...

I started to work in the independent film business in 2007. I have since, as an employee, consultant, representative, and executive producer worked for and with global service providers, production companies, individual filmmakers, sales agents, and others in this industry. And although knowledge, expertise, and affinity with the industry are certainly and undeniably important elements as well, I have learned that nothing has been of more importance to my career than building and managing my bus...

Before we do anything else, let’s get the trite, buzz-wordy - and largely inaccurate - piece of non-advice out of the way first: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” It’s pithy and sounds so wise. And you’ve heard it so often that it basically just folds into any conversation you ever have about how to build your network. It’s also one of those nothing phrases that people say without really digging into it deeper. The first major problem with it is that it’s not who you know, but i...

The entertainment industry and the public relations business both thrive on relationships and traffic in social currency. It’s one of the many reasons a platform such as Stage 32 exists—it’s a wonderful place to network and share creative ideas and experiences. The mass adoption of Artificial intelligence isn’t likely to change the importance of relationships. Instead, my belief is that it will make growing important and authentic relationships significantly more valuable. We’re already seeing t...

If you are considering attending the Cannes Film Festival Marché du Film for the first time but are unsure whether you will be able to navigate it, keep reading. I was in your shoes before I decided to take the plunge this year! I hope sharing my experience will give you that final push you need and help you make the most of your time there next year. First A Bit Of Context I am a director based in Dubai. Earlier this year, a grounded sci-fi thriller feature film I wrote and will direct was s...

Happy Tuesday, Creative Army! 2024 was Stage 32’s 11th year on La Croisette at the Cannes Film Festival and our 8th year as an official education partner of Cannes Marché du Film! It was amazing to see so many people from our global community show up to celebrate, network, and support each other. We had Stage 32 members screening their films and closing big deals, showcasing the immense talent that we’re lucky to foster here every day. We also had members attending and hosting panels, furthe...

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 this video from Just An Observation, they’re analyzing Jeremy Allen White's award-winning performance as Carmy Berzatto in FX's The Bear. Specifically, his masterful ability to lean into Carmy’s physical stress, anxiety, and personal trauma in unique ways that amplify the story. It’s a showc...