Filmmaking / Directing

The place to discuss, share content and offer advice and tips on all things filmmaking and the craft of directing. From pre-production to on set practices to navigating the industry and beyond, this is your forum

Liked by Tiffany Watt and 2 others

Vital Butinar
Rehearsal in person or online

Hey, Stage32 people!

So, we just kicked off shooting our first feature film Pure Vortex, and let me tell you, wrangling a cast scattered across the globe made in-person rehearsals a total nightmare. Especially since we were gunning to shoot this thing as fast as possible.

So, we went full digital, r...

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Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on kicking off shooting Pure Vortex, Vital Butinar and everyone working on the film! I think running rehearsals on Zoom is a great idea, and I'm sure it saved a lot of time, money, and...

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Rosie Schreiber

This is a brilliant realization! <3

Desiree Middleton

Interesting. Keep us posted please!!

Eon C. Rambally
July's Month Week Two Challenge:

I'll make it simple!

I'm doing a whole lot of research on topic "the must to use AI software" and the type. As creatives it is good to look after each others wellbeing and this is absolutely important as industry matters are compelling in the relevant direction.

Of course I'm also continuing from week...

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Liked by Vital Butinar and 30 others

Leonardo Ramirez
My goals for the July Filmmakers Club - Week 1

The July Filmmakers Club couldn’t have come at a better time. I recently lost my mom, and I’m still walking the path of healing. Encouraging others has always been a source of strength for me, so this month offers a meaningful opportunity—not only to support others, but also to reconnect with the cr...

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Leonardo Ramirez

Finished the mood board. ;o)

Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations, Leonardo Ramirez!

Asmaa Jamil

This is awesome. I love all of this progress.

Leonardo Ramirez

Thanks Asmaa Jamil and Maurice Vaughan! Just putting one foot in front of the other. ;o)...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Leonardo Ramirez. That's the way to do it!

Liked by Elmare Hendricks and 3 others

Tucker Teague
Take a deep dive into 40 different aspects of filmmaking with 183 women filmmakers

Many of you already know about this amazing documentary but I want to promote it anyway for those who have not seen it and for those who should (I mean why not?) see it again. I'm talking about the 2018 documentary by Mark Cousins called, WOMEN MAKE FILM.

The film is divided into 40 chapters over 14...

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Bliss Nchelem

Nice

Jackie Letkowski

Amazing trailer!! I can't wait to check this out!! :)

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the trailer, Tucker Teague. Women Make Film looks incredible! I'm looking forward to watching it!

Lindbergh E Hollingsworth

Had to Google this up: 14 hours as mentioned, available on Amazon, Apple, Roku Channel, Tubi, and Criterion Channel. Looks wonderful.

Liked by Mark Valadez and 9 others

Laurie Ashbourne
Look what your phone can do.

the talented director Gigi Saul Guerrero was commissioned by Apple to create this film just released today, shot on Apple 16 pro.

Stunning cinematography.

https://youtu.be/-Ip2BiXcrMw?si=0BrfgdqAnsJCJC2Y

Kelvin Thornton

Tech has came a long way. Very creative and as always, keep creating!!!

Lindbergh E Hollingsworth

People need to remember that she was commissioned and had a small budget to work with. Most of us won't have a budget and tech support like she did. Here's the rub: know how to use the iPhone and you...

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Rutger Oosterhoff

It's called "what to do with light."

Willem Elzenga

I don't really understand what Apple is trying to proof here with their iPhone 16. Cinematography like this is done on filmschools for ages already and the financial advantages for using the phone ins...

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Jackie Letkowski

I love it when filmmakers use the resources they have to make something really special!

Liked by David Bentley and one other

Jackie Letkowski
July Week 2 Challenge: Filmmaking in NJ, USA (And beyond!)

Hello Everyone! TGIF!

Writing to you from the NJ/NYC area of the US! So filmmaking is really making a comeback in NJ! Once the original Hollywood (Not too many people know this, but before there was Hollywood, CA, there was Fort Lee, NJ. Fort Lee was considered the filmmaking mecca, and one of the fi...

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Jackie Letkowski

Maurice Vaughan Let me know if you're in the Garden State! It's also the state where you can throw a rock and hit an Italian! (In my case, a "half-Italian".)

Maurice Vaughan

Haha Ok, I will, Jackie Letkowski. I'm going to check out the interview as soon as I can.

Maurice Vaughan

I just watched the interview, Jackie Letkowski. It's a great interview for filmmakers, writers, etc. to watch. Filip said the first thing he notices when watching a movie for the first time is the ton...

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Jackie Letkowski

Thanks, Maurice Vaughan !!! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch it!!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Jackie Letkowski. You're skilled at doing interviews, and you have great energy.

Liked by Jackie Letkowski and 10 others

Dawn Prato
July Filmmaker's Club: '25

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a great first week of July (can you believe it's that time already??)

I have 2 goals for July (well, 3, and one requires being Very Brave(tm)):

1) Engage on Stage32 more again. I have a habit of scrolling through posts and reading things, but not commenting as often as I sh...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Dawn Prato, I love seeing your goal! Reaching out to someone you’ve genuinely enjoyed working with isn’t pushy at all, it’s smart relationship building, and it’s clear from the way you speak about her...

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Libby Wright

What is your pilot about? I'd love to know more!

Dawn Prato

Hi Libby Wright! The pilot is about a woman who discovers her bloodline is responsible for keeping our world safe from a realm of myths and fantastical creatures - and she's the last of her family. Sh...

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Libby Wright

Dawn Prato sounds like some amazing world building!!!

Jackie Letkowski

I would let the producer know how much you enjoyed working with her and present her with a pitch deck for your pilot. Then explain that this would a great way for you guys to collaborate once again :)

Liked by Gulshan Naz and 3 others

Brightman Majiduh
July Film makers club - week two challenge

In my part of the world, you could tell a powerful story—one that moves people, carries the weight of culture, and beats with raw emotion—and still be told, It doesn’t follow the correct narrative arc, which is understandable. It's however challenging and strange, trying to make something honest fit...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Brightman Majiduh. "In my part of the world, you could tell a powerful story—one that moves people, carries the weight of culture, and beats with raw emotion—and still be told, It doesn’t follow t...

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Liked by David Bentley and 10 others

Dwayne Williams
July Filmmakers Club – Week 2 Challenge

Where I’m from, there’s no creative scene for what I do — no space for world-building, creature design, or cross-media storytelling. It’s not a friendly place for creators, and I’ve dealt with doubt from friends, family, and all around. So I isolate to create. That distance helps me shut out the noi...

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Kelvin Thornton

You're welcome. It's easily to get distracted sometimes, even when you're trying your hardest to focus.

Rebecca James

Creativity (original thought) and walking your own path, scares the shit out of most people and hence their reaction. It's their reaction to their stuff not you or your stuff.

Brightman Majiduh

This really hit deep—especially as a creative trying to carve a path through all the noise. Where I come from, some people don’t even whisper behind your back—they point with their mouths and say you’...

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Dwayne Williams

Rebecca James I absolutely love what you just said — you’re spot on. That’s beautifully said and deeply true. It really is their reaction to their own fears, not ours. Thank you for putting that into...

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Dwayne Williams

Brightman Majiduh Wow… you just boosted my focus and energy 100 times over. Those were powerful, wise words — and I can tell you’re a deeply humble and passionate creator. That "delusion" you're talki...

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Maurice Vaughan
What Is Cinematic?

Nathan Woodward talks about the things that make a film cinematic in today's blog. It's a great read, especially for directors and cinematographers.

What does cinematic mean to you? Share it in the comments below or the blog comments.

www.stage32.com/blog/what-is-cinematic-4158...

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Maurice Vaughan

I like your definition of cinematic, Smith Ade! Hope the blog is helpful!

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Desiree Middleton. Does noticing aspect ratios ever get in the way of you enjoying a film?

Billy Kwack

Hi Maurice, going to see Superman in a week or 2

Maurice Vaughan

Cool, Billy Kwack. Superman looks incredible from the trailer and posters!

Billy Kwack

Hi Maurice, I watched a movie review on YouTube, they loved it

Debbie Seagle
What it’s like to create films in my part of the world?

My first feature film is hoping to be shot this fall in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia where wildlife rules. Luckily, some scenes include rogue squirrels, wayward bears, and harsh/hilarious realities of rural living. Scenes depicting civilization will require a 30 mile drive in the pick-up tr...

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Leonardo Ramirez

I'm thinking you should invite Pete the squirrel over to a cookout Debbie Seagle. Whenever our yorkie is sitting on the couch looking out, he flies in out of nowhere and lands flat on the glass right...

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Debbie Seagle

Leonardo - The squirrel's name is Rocky! (and his friend is Bullwinkle) But... Pete may be their cousin. crackin me up.

Ashley Renee Smith

Debbie Seagle, this paints such a vivid and hilarious picture! I can already imagine the rogue squirrels stealing the scene! There’s something so raw, untamed, and visually stunning about the Appalach...

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Debbie Seagle

Thank you Ashley Renee Smith ! I'll definitely check it out. I'm so amazed by the vast resources on Stage 32. I've invited everyone involved in my film to discover something to enhance their role in t...

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