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My fellow creatives, we’ve chosen a path that’s not for the faint-hearted. You have to believe, all the way down into the core of your being, that you can do this thing -- that you can create worlds, that you can bring imagination to life. And we ride the pendulum, sometimes on the daily, as it swings between godlike swagger and the abject fear of not being enough. And then there’s dealing with feedback. We are our own harshest critics in so many ways, but we all have our blind spots. Part o...

Welcome back to TALKING BUSINESS: Insights from the Independent Film Industry, hosted by Stage 32 Thought Leader and Business Consultant, David Zannoni, from Freeway Entertainment and Zannoni Media. In TALKING BUSINESS, David brings you in-depth conversations on the behind-the-scenes of the filmmaking business with industry veterans. In today’s fifth episode, David is talking with Daniel Castillejos, a leading entertainment lawyer based in Mexico City, who runs his boutique firm Clearance & Co...

Hey, Friends! Hollywood "Awards Season" is upon us, and it's one of the most exciting times of the year! The world's best actors and filmmakers step out in their finest fines to strut the red carpet amid the flashing lights and adoring fans. It's always a vibrant display of the passion and spirit of filmmaking. Storytelling truly comes alive this time of year as The Oscars, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, BAFTAs, etc. set off to the races! We always say the best way to get better as a creative is...

So I’ve now made it to year two in my journey with Stage 32 and what a journey it’s been! As I mentioned in my year one post (click here to read it!), I enjoy reflecting in order to stay positive on this journey full of obstacles and “no’s”. So what did I learn in Year Two...? Nothing Was Wasted Some time ago, I worked for a major music distribution company called EMI, which has since been absorbed by Capitol Music. I was an International Marketing Manager, overseeing releases that took pl...

In car parlance, I might be a barn find -- a dust-covered vehicle that’s been unearthed after many years of storage. I wasn’t exactly in storage but I was in the barn for 40 years, inching toward the door -- i.e. my lifelong goal to be a working actress. I worked 9 to 5 and was a single parent and couldn’t get an LA agent, so I simply did what I could around those parameters. For decades. At times my forward progress seemed imperceptible. Then in 2022, I went from zero ability to get an agent,...

“If I fail, I accept and I learn. If I succeed, I will learn and celebrate. My happiness is in me and not in other people." My own words encapsulate a mindset that every writer-turned-entrepreneur should adopt. Writing is not just an art but a potential business. Why I Am Writing This Blog I joined Stage 32 a year ago, and my background couldn't be more different from the world of screenwriting. As a Portuguese entrepreneur, I pioneered female entrepreneurship in Portugal and founded the f...

I remember seeing the van speeding toward my vehicle. When it struck, the impact sent a shudder through my nerves. Fortunately, I had enough sense to lean away from the window, so my head didn’t smash through the glass but only slammed into it with a mild “thud”. I was left with a bump on my head instead of a concussion, or worse. The car, sadly, did not fare as well: it was a write-off. Later, I learned that a piece of the engine had been propelled through the bodywork and had missed me by i...

The television and film industry is often perceived as glamorous, fast-paced, and competitive. While it can be all of those things, there is one aspect that underpins success in this industry: community and collaboration. No matter how talented or driven you are, forging meaningful relationships and fostering a spirit of collaboration is essential for building a sustainable career in entertainment. Why Community Matters in Film and Television Shared Knowledge and Mentorship The entertainmen...

How I Used AI to Become a Better Storyteller Full disclaimer: I wrote the article myself, then used AI to correct grammar and some structure. But I didn’t follow all of its suggestions because I would have lost my voice. As a technophile by day and a screenwriter by passion, I’ve used AI for storytelling. Maybe you have tried it, too, even if you don’t admit it. Or maybe you’re upset about the very real concerns about your creative IP turning into a free mash-up for hacks to get a leg up i...

Happy Wednesday, Stage 32 Community! As part of the Stage 32 mission, we are always looking for ways to refine and enhance the experience for both our members and our executive consultants. We work diligently to give our members access to professional, constructive feedback from and direct meetings with our executives, and we aim to provide our executives with steady exposure to emerging talent with amazing potential. That said, we are very excited to announce a fantastic new feature here o...