Happy Thursday, Stage 32 Community!

I hope that the last month has been joyful and productive for you all! Our Stage 32 Education Team has certainly been hard at work to bring incredible education opportunities and resources to this fantastic community.

This May, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, award-winning screenwriters, producers, directors, showrunners, animators, podcast hosts, authors, script supervisors, attorneys, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on or represented such projects as PARANORMAL STATE, MIRACLE AT TRAPPER CREEK, GLORIA GAYNOR: I WILL SURVIVE, SEVEN SECONDS, VIDA, BIG LOVE, JANE THE VIRGIN, THIS IS US, PARADISE PD, THE SIMPSONS, THE POCKET LAWYER FOR FILMMAKERS, TOUR OF DUTY, ODESSA OR BUST, IDENTITY THEFT, OCTOBER SKY, JURASSIC PARK 3, HIDALGO, BRIGHT, COLLATERAL, CAPTAIN AMERICA, SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, ALMOST FAMILY, CASTLE, CSI CYBER, NCIS NOLA, BLINDSPOT, THE CATCHER WAS A SPY, LIFE OF A KING, THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, LOVELACE, THE ACOLYTE, DAUGHTER OF THE WOLF, SCORE TO SETTLE, and many others.

Don’t wait for all of the spots to fill up! Below is an exciting list of upcoming Stage 32 Education that is already available for you to register for!

Webinars

10 Crucial Steps to Making a Successful Documentary Feature Film

Starting: Thursday, May 2nd

Instructor: Betsy Schechter

Navigating the landscape of documentary filmmaking involves more than just capturing compelling footage and telling a compelling story. It requires an understanding of the industry's business side, including budgeting, legal pitfalls, marketing, and distribution. Understanding these challenges and the potential missteps is crucial for aspiring filmmakers to succeed in the industry. From required legal releases to creative marketing and distribution, students of this webinar will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to help ensure a successful outcome for the film. Ultimately, mastering these aspects of filmmaking can mean the difference between creating a documentary that languishes in obscurity and one that is set up for success. In this webinar, we'll share ten essential lessons learned and crucial insights to consider before embarking on the journey of making a feature documentary. Through this webinar, participants can gain valuable insights into the entire filmmaking journey, from the creative aspects of producing to the strategic elements of marketing and distribution.

Betsy Schechter is an Emmy-nominated producer who has worn many hats including building and overseeing successful production companies including Storyville Entertainment which she launched in 2013. Schechter has created and produced both scripted and non-scripted programming for major networks and digital outlets including CBS, NBC, ABC, A&E, ANIMAL PLANET, DISCOVERY ID, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, HISTORY, OWN, VH1, and MTV. Betsy created and produced the hit series PARANORMAL STATE, which aired on A&E for five seasons. Betsy has created and sold documentary series in many genres including cooking, true crime, music, and paranormal. Betsy’s scripted endeavors include movies-of-the-week WHAT HAPPENED TO BOBBY EARL (CBS), RUNAWAY HOME (NBC), and the comedy series WARREN THE APE (MTV.) She also created and produced the syndicated reality dating show, SHIPMATES with Carnival Cruise Line. Betsy was nominated for an Emmy for the documentary MIRACLE AT TRAPPER CREEK, which aired on ABC. Betsy’s branded efforts include the successful Match.com national commercial campaign, as well as online branded content for JEEP, KLONDIKE, THE GAP, DON JULIO, and GLAMOUR MAGAZINE. Other series under the Storyville Banner include BROTHERS GREEN EATS, THE RIDE for MTV International, and THE ABUSE OF POWER for Oxygen. Betsy recently directed, wrote, self-funded, and produced the critically acclaimed documentary GLORIA GAYNOR: I WILL SURVIVE which premiered at The Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023 and received 100 percent positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. With a proven track record of creating, selling, and producing over 200 hours of successful content for film, television, and multimedia outlets worldwide Betsy has also consulted for networks, streamers, and brand companies including Netflix, Fox Entertainment, AETN Productions, Tubi, Chicken Soup For The Soul, Just Ask A Woman.

20 Steps to Planning and Writing a Memorable Scene

Starting: Tuesday, May 7th

Instructor: Anna Henry

In this webinar, Anna will go through her proprietary 20 ELEMENTS TO PLAN A SCENE worksheet that she has developed for her labs, which will help you plan each scene of your script. What is the structural role of the scene within the story? How should it be set up visually? What is the purpose of the scene in terms of communicating information to the audience about the character and the world? How will the scene play on screen? What about dialogue, emotions, tone, and themes? Anna will show you how to work step-by-step to plan a scene that will be an essential component of a strong script. She will show the planning in action by analyzing some sample scenes, and of course, you will receive the worksheet as a downloadable file you can replicate and fill in as you plan your next rewrite. Along the way, she will cover a variety of screenwriting topics, including structure, character-driven storytelling, linking scenes, dense writing, pacing, thinking visually, dialogue & subtext.

Anna Henry is a Producer and Development Executive. Anna has set up projects at Sony, 20th Television, EOne, Starz, Amazon, Netflix, Corus, ITV America, and more. Anna began her career as a development executive at Nickelodeon, then crossed over to prime-time television working at CBS and ABC in drama development and programming before working in management and establishing herself as an Independent Producer. She was Head of Development at Andrea Simon Entertainment, a boutique literary management and production company representing writers and directors. She has more than 15 years of experience working with writers on developing their passion projects and building their careers with client credits including Netflix's SEVEN SECONDS; Starz VIDA; BET’s IN CONTEMPT; HBO's THE DEUCE, BIG LOVE, and VINYL; Showtime's THE CHI; NBC's THIS IS US; The CW's JANE THE VIRGIN; Direct TV's KINGDOM; AMC’s FEAR THE WALKING DEAD; PBS' MERCY STREET; and more. Anna has projects currently in development around the world. She is currently developing procedurals, crime thrillers, dark comedies, YA and Millennial-focused projects, character-driven sci-fi, and recent period. She is a member of HRTS Associates and Greenlight Women.

A Deep Dive Into The Effects Of Ai Across Department In Film

Starting: Tuesday, May 14th

Instructor: Mike Disa

A.I. is coming for Hollywood and it will literally change every part of production. No contract or promise will prevent the colossal and inevitable economic impact will have on creatives’ lives. From writing to pre-production to acting, animation, video games, post, and even marketing and distribution, A.I.’s impact will rival the seismic shift of the introduction of sound or the breaking up of the studio monopolies. And it is happening all over the world right now. So creatives must get ready and adapt as they did in the past. A.I. has huge potential to increase creatives' incomes, reinvigorate small studio pipelines, streamline production, and open new profitable venues of distribution. But the truth is those production companies and individuals that do not embrace A.I. tools will be left behind. It’s time to get up to speed with the latest advancements and understand what’s coming next.

Mike Disa is a working filmmaker, writer, show-runner, and animator with over twenty years of experience in both studio and independent productions in live-action, animation, hybrid, and video games. Mike directed shows like the hit Netflix series PARADISE PD and THE SIMPSONS and has been in the animation industry for over twenty-five years. Mike found success working with studios such as Dreamworks, Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, and many others. Over a fascinating career, Mike has worked with some of the greatest and most infamous people in Hollywood including Steven Spielberg, Eric Goldberg, Ralph Bakshi, Glenn Close, Steve Oedekerk, David Tennant, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Jeffery Katzenberg and Roy Disney. He is a former Cal Arts teacher who majored in computer programming in college and has seen incredible and disruptive technological changes in the industry. He now works with young filmmakers to learn and embrace new technologies.

Legal Guide to Producer and Director Agreements

Starting: Thursday, May 23rd

Instructor: Thomas A. Crowell, Esq.

In this one-hour legal webinar, author of “The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers,” entertainment attorney Thomas A. Crowell, Esq. will guide attendees through the complexities of producer and director agreements in the film and television industry. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these agreements differ from other contracts, such as location agreements, and why they are vital for the smooth operation of production. Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of each clause’s significance and learn how to leverage them for their benefit.

The course will place particular emphasis on those deal points that control :

• Compensation: Understanding how payment structures are defined and what conditions may affect them.
• Credit: Clarifying how credits are allocated and the implications they have on professional reputation and future work.
• IP Rights: Outlining the ownership and usage rights of intellectual property created during production.
• Approvals: The power and obligation to approve create and business aspects of the production and hierarchy of approval.
• Exclusivity: Discuss the importance of exclusive agreements and their impact on availability for other projects.
• Publicity Rights: Examining the rights to use an individual’s likeness in marketing and promotional materials.
• Option for Future Services: Exploring the terms under which a party may be contracted for future projects.
• Warranties: Ensuring that all parties fulfill their contractual promises and understand the consequences of not doing so.
• Indemnification: Protecting against financial loss due to lawsuits or claims related to the production.

Drawing on his wealth of experience in entertainment law, Thomas will explore the key elements of these agreements, including the delineation of duties, creative control, and financial arrangements. He will offer valuable advice on how to negotiate terms that benefit both the producer and director while safeguarding the interests of the production.

The course will demystify common above-the-line deal concepts, providing clarity on terms that often cause confusion:

• Most-Favored Nations: Ensuring that no party receives more favorable terms than others.
• Pay-or-Play: Guarantee payment regardless of whether the project moves forward or the individual’s involvement is terminated.
• Frozen Rights: Understanding the implications when rights to a project are put on hold.
• Waterfall Provisions: Detailing how profits are distributed among stakeholders.

The session will also include a detailed Q&A segment, providing attendees with the opportunity to seek advice on specific concerns related to producer and director agreements.

Thomas A. Crowell, Esq. is an entertainment and intellectual property attorney and partner with the New York law firm of LaneCrowell, LLP. A former television producer and director of development for STN, Thomas counsels clients on a wide range of entertainment law and intellectual property rights issues. He has worked with clients who have had deals with Sony, Starz, TLC, Elsevier Publishing, Discovery Communications, Focal Press, Smithsonian Network, WE: The Women's Entertainment Network, The Science Technology Network, and IDW Publishing. His clients' work is seen in the pages of Marvel and DC Comics and on movie, TV, computer, and mobile screens worldwide. A frequent columnist for film industry publications, Mr. Crowell is also the author of a best-selling legal guide for independent producers, THE POCKET LAWYER FOR FILMMAKERS, adopted as a core textbook in many film and law schools across the US. His latest book, THE POCKET LAWYER FOR COMIC BOOK CREATORS, is the first dedicated legal guide for the comic book industry. He currently serves as a series editor for Focal Press and its new line of legal guides for artists.

Classes

4-Part Screenwriting Class: How to Master the Art of Dialogue with Writing Exercises

Starting: Thursday, May 9th

Instructor: Brian Herskowitz

Over four weeks, we'll explore the multifaceted aspects of dialogue writing. Starting with the basics of what dialogue is and its pivotal role in storytelling, we'll then delve into how to craft authentic voices for your characters, ensuring they resonate with audiences. We'll tackle the common pitfalls of exposition, teaching you how to weave background information seamlessly into conversations without bogging down the narrative. The workshop will culminate with a deep dive into the art of subtext, enabling you to layer meanings and emotions beneath the surface of your characters' interactions. Each week features targeted assignments—from creating character bios that influence dialogue to reworking scenes for enhanced subtext—designed to put theory into practice and bring your screenplay to the next level. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your writing, this course offers valuable insights into making dialogue work for you, pushing your story forward, and deepening character development.

Brian Herskowitz is a veteran film and television writer and producer who has worked on over 2 dozen films and television shows. Some of his film credits include the feature film BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS, which starred Jason Alexander from SEINFELD, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, which starred Michael Welch from TWILIGHT, MUSICAL CHAIRS, which was directed by Susan Seidelman from SEX IN THE CITY and TIO PAPI, which was directed by Fro Rojas. As director/writer/producer, he is slated to begin production on a new film BEFORE MOONRISE. In television, his writing credits include working with HBO, NBC, CBS, Universal Television, and FOX on shows such as HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, DREAM ON, BLOSSOM, RENEGADE and more. He was on the producing team for the critically acclaimed TOUR OF DUTY where he was recognized by the TV academy for his contribution to the show by the Emmy-winning post-production sound department. Brian co-wrote the FOX pilot MANTIC with Jason Alexander. Also, he worked as a punch-up writer on BOB PATTERSON and LISTEN UP. As a director, Brian wrote and directed the award-winning short film ODESSA OR BUST starring SEINFELD’S Jason Alexander and RUSHMORE’S Jason Schwartzman. His new short content series MURRAY GHOST which he directed, produced, wrote, and edited is currently making the rounds on the festival circuit. He currently has a nine-episode podcast, IDENTITY THEFT, running on Spotify. This is the first offering from the THRILLING STORIES podcast series.

4-Part Producing Class: Attaching Actors and Directors to Your Indie Film Project

Starting: Friday, May 17th

Instructor: Jim Young

The most critical aspect of building an independent film project from the ground up is having the right creative partners in the endeavor. Bringing on a Director who can bring the vision of your script to life and be attractive to talent and finding the right actors for the lead roles that work creatively and financially is key to getting your project off the ground. Jim will teach you the ins and outs of the right approach to attract the right talent and director to get a green light for your project. You'll be working directly with Jim in an intimate class setting, hearing his stories from the trenches.

PLUS, he'll share example actor and director offer letters, as well as actor and director agreements, to give you the tools you need to move your projects forward.

Jim Young of Animus Films is a leading independent non-fiction producer, with almost two dozen films under his belt. Jim has created a successful career producing true-story films such as THE CATCHER WAS A SPY with Paul Rudd, LIFE OF A KING with Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding Jr., THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY with Oscar-nominee Dev Patel, LOVELACE with Oscar-nominee James Franco and Amanda Seyfried, and the upcoming film, THE PEOPLE VS. VEGAS DAVE. Jim has a long history of producing critically acclaimed features and documentaries including YEAR OF THE BULL at Showtime, THE WORDS with Oscar-nominee Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana. Animus Films productions have been released through Showtime, Paramount Pictures, CBS Films, Millennium Entertainment, and Image Entertainment. His films have also premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, and the Toronto Film Festival.

2-Part Shot Coverage Class : Advanced Shot Coverage - Implementing Shot Lists and Visual Diversity for Your Project

Starting: Monday, May 20th

Instructor: Brenda Wachel

In this advanced-level, interactive, and intensive two-part class, Brenda will dive into the intricacies and strategies of shot coverage and give you a series of tools and strategies you can use to best shoot and cover your project, no matter how involved it may be. Brenda will review strategies for shooting basic scenes like standard dialogue scenes and interior car scenes and will dig more into how to capture complex scenes like action sequences, nonverbal scenes, and transitions. Brenda will also go through how to put together an effective shot list ahead of time and will teach you how to pivot and adapt in the moment as plans change on set. She will then dive into what you can do to expand beyond basic coverage, like employing visual diversity, having multiple masters, and the power of the insert.

PLUS, Brenda’s lessons will be accompanied by live demonstrations and exercises, including reverse engineering shot lists of notable film scenes and creating shot lists from a scripted scene.

Brenda Wachel is an accomplished feature film script supervisor, having worked with critically acclaimed directors across the globe. Some notable films include OCTOBER SKY, JURASSIC PARK 3, HIDALGO, THE NEXT THREE DAYS, I AM SAM, BRIGHT, COLLATERAL, CAPTAIN AMERICA, PLANE, and the upcoming Apple series CHIEF OF WAR. In addition to her credits as a Script Supervisor, she writes, directs, and produces branding ads for her own company, and is preparing to film her own narrative short film. She believes in giving back and has become a guest speaker and mentor for young filmmakers at universities. When not working on films, you can find her making friends with the neighborhood animals, cooking Italian dinners, and always searching and learning something new.

Labs

Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Female Driven One-Hour Television Pilot in 8 Weeks

Starting: Saturday, May 11th

Instructor: Colleen Labella

Your pilot is your calling card. But it shouldn’t just be a strong sample of your writing: If you want your pilot to stand out, it needs to be the best example of your unique voice, infused with your “special sauce.” What is the story YOU are meant to tell? What irreplicable experience will YOU bring to a writer's room? What do YOU have to say? These are the questions I ask myself when I read a pilot, and the pilots that stand out to me as an executive have the answers to all of these questions within them. Throughout this eight-week course, we will focus not only on telling the most relevant kind of female-centric story but also the one that only you can tell.

Colleen Labella is a producer and the Director of Development for Leslye Headland’s company, Shoot to Midnight. She has read hundreds of pilots and met with countless writers. She has sold numerous television series to various networks, and she is currently in development with projects at FX, Hulu, Freeform, and Lucasfilm. Her television credits include SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, ALMOST FAMILY, and the upcoming Star Wars series, THE ACOLYTE. She also has a number of films in development with Shoot to Midnight. Colleen has a background in theatre and loves working with playwrights as they transition to the world of television, and she’s dedicated to telling stories about womxn and the LGBTQIA+ community.

8-Part Budget Lab: Create A Professional Budget & Schedule For Your Feature Film

Starting: Saturday, May 18th

Instructor: Julie Buck

Anyone who wants to make a movie should know something about film budgeting. Understanding how much a film will cost to make, and being able to prepare a realistic budget is the first building block of transforming your script into a brilliant film. It doesn’t matter whether you’re making a self-financed microbudget feature or a multi-million-dollar indie looking for financiers, knowing realistic costs before production begins is key to getting your film finished. So, how much is your film going to cost? There are many items that filmmakers overlook, and many errors start with not knowing how to break down a script. This lab will begin with a formal script breakdown, which will flag potential big-ticket items, and then we will use that vital information to inform every decision to create a budget tailored to your script; all the way from hiring cast and crew to getting the film distributed.

Julie Buck is a film producer, photographer, and filmmaker. As a film producer, her work has played at such festivals as Tribeca, South by Southwest, London Film Festival and Sundance. As a line producer and production manager, she has budgeted and scheduled hundreds of independent films and has worked from the early stages of development to seeing films play and sell at major festivals. As a filmmaker and artist, her photography has been exhibited internationally and her experimental shorts have played at over 20 festivals including HotDocs, Hamptons, and Cinequest. She has an MFA in film from Columbia University and is a member of the Director's Guild of America.

Screenwriting Lab: Write a Comedy TV Pilot in 6 Weeks - From Concept To Completed Script

Starting:

Instructor: Spencer Robinson

In this exclusive Stage 32 6-part lab, you will write a TV comedy pilot script that stands out, can get you representation, can lead to meetings with decision-makers, and/or help you land a coveted seat in a comedy writer’s room. Spencer will be working directly with you in a virtual class setting and in one-on-one sessions to mentor you as you write your market-ready comedy pilot script. Spencer will guide you through picking a concept, creating engaging characters, perfecting your structure, constructing an outline, and, finally, writing your pilot. Over 6 interactive sessions, you will put pen to paper and write the comedy TV pilot that until now has only been bouncing around in your head. Whether you want to write a single-cam or multi-cam comedy pilot to sell or you are looking to create a sample script to help get you into a writers' room, Spencer is here to help you write your comedy pilot that can help break you into the industry!

Spencer Robinson is a literary and talent manager at Art/Work Entertainment who's been in the industry for over twenty years. His clients have been in films with directors Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Gore Verbinski, and more. In the TV world, his clients have been regular cast members on shows for Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, TBS and more. Spencer’s clients have also recurred on series for Freeform, TNT, AMC, Showtime, and many more. He currently has a client writing on 2 Netflix series and another client who just sold a show to Amazon. He also reps a writer who currently has a project at Aggregate Films, which has a deal at Netflix. One of Spencer’s clients had her first film shot for Netflix last year. Art/Work's writing clients work in both features and television on broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.

8-Part Screenwriting Lab: Breaking Story For 1-Hour TV Dramas With An Interactive Mock Writers' Room

Starting: Wednesday, May 22nd

Instructor: Kate Sargeant

Over the course of this intimate eight-week workshop, Kate will delve into the craft of the network procedural hour drama and then lead the class through a mock CSI: CYBER writers' room, where students will gain experience pitching A, B, and C story ideas, breaking the episode on a virtual whiteboard as a group, and then practice pitching acts to the showrunner. What better way to learn than to break the PILOT of a new CSI spinoff? So not only will you experience what it’s like to work in a writers’ room – but you will also have hands-on experience breaking the pilot of a procedural show. Through both Kate’s lessons and her leading of the writers’ room, you will gain direct, practical, and real-world experience that you can take with you as you pursue your own television career.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• This workshop is designed for working and aspiring TV writers of all levels looking to learn about network drama TV writing and how to pitch and work in a writers' room. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• This lab will consist of eight sessions, each roughly two hours in duration. Sessions will vary between presentation-style lessons and interactive mock writers' room sessions where all students will have the opportunity to participate.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the process.

Kate Sargeant launched her writing career when she wrote, directed, and produced her original play REVOLVING DOOR in London. After its successful three-week run, Kate took her production on tour to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it received rave reviews. Since returning to the states, she has been staffed on multiple shows, including CASTLE, CSI CYBER, NCIS NOLA, BLINDSPOT, among others. She most recently wrote a freelance episode of THE ROOKIE: FEDS on ABC. She has also written, directed, and produced a few of her passion projects, including the short films CHANGING LANES, FACING LIFE, and ANOTHER FOREIGN CONCEPT. In addition, Kate launched an original web series that she wrote, directed, and produced called YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON THE INTERNET about our obsession with social media in the digital age. In 2020, Kate created a half-hour comedy series, VIRTUALLY SINGLE, which is streaming now.

Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Feature Screenplay in 12 Weeks with Expert Guidance from a Global Executive

Starting: Sunday, May 26th

Instructor: Thomas Pemberton

Over 12 intensive weeks, Thomas will work closely with you to outline, write, and actually complete your feature film screenplay. Thomas will lead intimate group sessions where he will offer notes and guidance on specific portions of each writer’s screenplay or vision documents, incrementally and methodically working towards a completed and polished product. You will also work one-on-one over Zoom with Thomas and will have direct access to Thomas over email for the duration of the lab. You will additionally have the benefit of getting support, feedback, and perspective from the other members of the lab, as well as the opportunity to offer your own for their projects. This is a perfect time to take control of your creative career and give yourself the accountability and guidance you need to take this leap and write a screenplay that you can be proud of... and that will get you noticed. You will walk away from this 12-week lab with a completed feature film screenplay in-hand that has been vetted by a top executive that you can share with studios, financiers, agents, and managers!

Thomas Pemberton is the Development Executive at the global production company Mind's Eye Entertainment, which has produced over 60 feature film and television projects. The company has been instrumental in establishing the Canadian film and television industry with exceptional, exportable projects that have sold to over 200 territories around the world. The company has produced over $400 million in production and has garnered over 50 national and international awards. Thomas recently worked on a slate of films including Mel Gibson and Famke Janssen's latest action-thriller, DANGEROUS, RECALL with Wesley Snipes, HUMANITY BUREAU with Oscar-winner Nicholas Cage, DISTORTED with Christina Ricci, and John Cusack, DAUGHTER OF THE WOLF with Oscar-winner Richard Dreyfus, SCORE TO SETTLE again with Nicholas Cage, and a YA series based on the best selling books called AVALON.

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