Filmmaking / Directing

Stage 32 is excited to welcome Thomas A.Crowell, Esq. for his upcoming webinar!

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Stage 32 is excited to welcome Thomas A.Crowell, Esq. for his upcoming webinar!

In this one-hour legal lecture, 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 a 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: Discussing 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.

Email edu@stage32.com with any questions!

In the realm of Hollywood, characters tossing away cigarettes is practically an art form. But let's delve deeper into the symbolism behind this seemingly mundane action.

Picture this: the antagonist strides onto the scene, exuding an aura of menace that sends shivers down your spine. With a physiqu...

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In the realm of Hollywood, characters tossing away cigarettes is practically an art form. But let's delve deeper into the symbolism behind this seemingly mundane action.

Picture this: the antagonist strides onto the scene, exuding an aura of menace that sends shivers down your spine. With a physique like a heavyweight champ and eyes that could pierce through steel, he's the epitome of tough-as-nails. And then, in a moment of nonchalance, he flicks away his cigarette...

Meanwhile, in the real world, millions of cigarettes are snuffed out daily, each one poisoning gallons of precious subsoil water. Our planet is facing a crisis of epic proportions, with rising temperatures, plastic-choked oceans, and rampant deforestation pushing us towards the brink of catastrophe.

So, let's ask ourselves: does stubbing out a cigarette really make this tough guy any tougher? It's a cliché we've seen time and time again, regardless of whether the character is a hero or a villain. But what if we dared to break the mold?

Imagine the same scene, but with a twist. Instead of tossing away the cigarette with careless abandon, our antagonist extinguishes it with deliberate precision, tucking it away in his pocket. What message does that send to the viewer? Perhaps that there's more to this character than meets the eye. Maybe he has a code, a sense of respect, or even a shred of humanity amidst the chaos.

And let's face it: tossing cigarettes is not just bad for the environment, it's a tired cliché that adds nothing to the narrative. It's time for Hollywood to step up and challenge the status quo, to push boundaries and defy expectations. After all, actions speak louder than words, and it's high time we started setting a better example for the world.

So, Hollywood, take note: it's time to ditch the tired tropes and embrace a new era of storytelling. Let's make every action count, both on screen and off, and strive to leave a legacy that we can be proud of.

/Fredrik Sträng

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Emily J

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
4 weeks ago

Can't wait! And yes, Billy Kwack, that is the same film :)

Billy Kwack

Thanks Emily, thanks Maurice, cool

Maurice Vaughan

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1 person likes this
- Billy Kwack
4 weeks ago

Ok, thanks, Emily J.

You're welcome, Billy Kwack. This AMA is about pitching, so I'm definitely looking forward to it.

Cool Maurice

4 weeks ago

I didn't know there was a "Ripley" series, Nick Phillips. And I didn't know there were any adaptations except "The Talented Mr. Ripley," so I can't rank them. Haha "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is the onl...

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1 person likes this
- Geoff Hall
1 month ago

Hope Alex changes his mind, Amanda Toney. He's a really talented director. If he doesn't direct again, at least he's still gonna write scripts.

Ashley Renee Smith

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2 people like this
- Geoff Hall
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Ugh. That's so disappointing. Alex Garland has a unique talent and I always enjoy his work. =(

Geoff Hall

Amanda Toney I’m off to see Civil War with my son, next week. I’m excited to see what he makes of an American story.

I am surprised that this has happened I thought he would be a marathon man of the f...

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1 person likes this
- Geoff Hall
4 weeks ago

"In this industry, we can be REALLY hard on those around us and ourselves for being perceived as giving up or quitting. But sometimes, we have to experience things, pursue interests, and most importan...

M LaVoie

I was at the AMC Empire 25 test screening of Civil War in Times Square. This was Feb 9th 2023 . Sat in a row in front of him and his team. The screening of the film went pretty well apart from a horri...

Hi Maurice, he worked on stranger things awesome

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2 people like this
- Benjamin Elliott
- Billy Kwack
4 weeks ago

You could ask Gareth what it was like working on "Stranger Things" if you want, Billy Kwack.

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2 people like this
- Benjamin Elliott
- Maurice Vaughan
4 weeks ago

Maurice is right, Billy Kwack! Don't miss out on a chance to ask Gareth anything that you may be curious about regarding his career or cinematography in general. You can join in here- https://www.stag...

Hi Maurice, maybe

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Hi Maurice, I seen Wonka, pretty good

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1 person likes this
- Billy Kwack
1 month ago

I really like "Wonka," Billy Kwack. I usually don't like singing in movies, but I like the singing in "Wonka." Maybe because there isn't a lot of singing in the movie.

Hi Maurice, I understand, some movies have singing there okay

Maya Table

Thanks for sharing! I’ll check this out.

You're welcome, Maya Table. Ok, great. I think you're gonna have a lot of takeaways from the videos.

Daniel Husbands

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2 people like this
- Jim Boston
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Small but impactful change, thanks for sharing thoughts Fredrik Sträng Certainly time to change the narrative.

Angela Romeo

Best cigarette use - Kevin Spacy at the very being of USUAL SUPSECTS. The story is given away in that split second when we see him holding the cigarette in a very Eastern European manner. That imagery...

Frank Detrano

1 month ago

I think there are worst things happening in Hollywood right now than worrying about whether a tossed cigarette is going to leave a carbon footprint…here’s a thought…have an AI actor toss a cigarette…i...

Jed Power

Already sent it in and hope it is accepted and not another rejection!

I love this, Fredrik Sträng! Not just because I agree that it's promoting an unnecessary behavior that's bad for our planet, but also because it's lazy storytelling. Your idea of seeing the villain do...