Latest Blogs

This month, I want to encourage you to explore an abundance mindset. It could significantly change your work and your approach to it. Many times, we believe we view the world from a "glass half-full" perspective when, in fact, we might unconsciously see it as half-empty—a scarcity mindset. This mindset can be shaped by lifelong conditioning, negative biases, upbringing, or the influence of friends, family, and society. Whether you realize it or not, a “glass half-empty” mindset impacts your cr...

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...

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 The Editing Podcast, hosts Hayden Hillier Smith and Jordan Orme sit down with the acclaimed editor behind David Fincher's brilliant cinematic masterpieces, Kirk Baxter! Kirk's illustrious career spans iconic films such as “The Social Network”, “Gone Girl”, and “The Killer”. H...

In 2020, I had the privilege of cutting a horror/thriller film titled The Boy Behind the Door. It was the directorial debut of David Charbonier & Justin Powell, and it was also my first feature-length project as an editor. The film was part of the Official Selection at Fantastic Fest in 2020 and received some genuine critical acclaim during its run. It then sold to Shudder and became available for streaming in 2021. The whole post-production process took over 2 years of diligent work and I lea...

Ever been to - or coordinated - a wedding? A special birthday party? Perhaps a charity event, musical concert, or film festival? More than likely, you have benefited from some wonderful person employing Location Scouting for a truly enjoyable experience. Or possibly been rudely introduced to the perils of poor Location Scouting when you couldn’t park, packed all the wrong things, and couldn’t find a clean bathroom. Preparing for a film shoot is not too dissimilar from any other live event. But...

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! While you may have missed out on getting to attend Cannes in person, you certainly won’t miss out on the incredible insights that were shared there! At this year’s Cannes 2024, Stage 32 hosted a fantastic expert panel exploring the pros and cons of distribution deals, ranging from theatrical to streaming to self-distribution, providing insights into the best options for producers today. Moderated by Emma Louis Smith (ACCA, Finance Strategist, Monaco), our dis...

Writers. We live for that sale, entering contests, querying producers, agents, and managers, and seeking validation. With contests, it’s a step-by-step climb to claim that win. But it’s not the end. Not by a long shot... In The Beginning Not all contests are equal. Many promoters are offering new prizes in lieu of cash - meetings with professionals, mentorships, or even production packages. Stage 32 & Palm Springs Women in Film and Television Contest offered $10,000 towards production for a s...

At some point, most filmmakers come across a great idea for a documentary film. It might be an interesting topic or personality, and you just know there is a story that must be told. But similarly to narrative filmmaking, there’s a huge difference between having an idea and being able to carry it into a finished motion picture. We talk about “packaging” in scripted films, attachments, pre-sales, and budgets, but oftentimes overlook the importance of doing the same thing in documentary films....

In a land not so far away, in a time not so long ago, the veil to the film world was a mighty feat to cross. I'm not saying it still isn’t tough to get out there and become a financially stable filmmaker. However, we hold the power now. What started as a simple picture of myself that I shared on Instagram, one taken while I was filming a Docuseries using the RED Epic and Cooke Anamorphic, turned into a wild adventure called social media. That one picture launched me into so many opportunities....

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. First up, in this video from In Depth Cine, they’re breaking down the two most...