Starting a filmmaking career requires a knowledge of the craft and an unyielding will to succeed. Maintaining a filmmaking career requires a knowledge of how the industry works, where the landmines are buried, and how to navigate the politics like a pro. Who better to learn from than from someone who has been in the trenches and out on the battlefield again and again?

Get ready to have some serious fun and to learn how to build a lasting career as a filmmaker. This is the s*** they don't teach in film school. Or for that matter, anywhere else but here on Stage 32.

Michael Davis has worked with the likes of Spielberg, Lucas, Eastwood, McTiernan, and Ross, and with actors such as Giamatti and Owen to name a few. He's navigated the studio world and the challenges of independent filmmaking multiple times. The man has seen things. And he wants to share what he's learned from all his experiences, triumphs and failures with you.

In this jam packed on-demand webinar, Michael will teach you about the politics of studio and independent filmmaking.  He'll tell you when to kiss the ring, kiss ass, and kick ass. He will discuss, explain, and instruct you on the strategic decisions that advanced his career as well as the huge mistakes that held him back and stalled his career for huge chunks of time. He will teach you how to run your set and how to keep pesky executives and producers off your back.

As if that wasn't enough, from his wealth of experience writing and directing six feature films, Michael will reveal the mistakes he’s made so you can learn from them and avoid making these same missteps, as well as discuss the smart moves he made that led him to directing a studio feature so you can emulate them.

"You will leave this webinar with a comprehensive understand of how to maximize your directing work, gain bigger and better exposure, and build a lasting career as a filmmaker."

- Michael Davis

Some of What Michael Will Teach You Includes:

• Film Production
  • How to get producers off your back.
  • Making your days without making yourself crazy.
  • Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, and Defcon 5.
  • The rabbit hole of multiple takes.
  • Decision making – Faking it and “Was it good for you?”
  • Why your shoes matter!
  • The lull after the take – and the lull before the storm!
  • How to avoid the director’s trailer trap.
  • Using the monitor and “The Long Walk”.
  • How to empower your AD and DP without letting them proxy direct for you.
• The Art of Film
  • George Lucas design, Paul Greengrass impressionism, and content as style.
  • Visual storytelling – AKA getting layered.
• Pre-production
  • Why the war is won or lost in pre-production.
  • The line producer is your friend, not your enemy.
  • The profound wisdom of pre-lighting.
  • Storyboards, shot lists, and “You can’t change plans that haven’t been made yet”.
• Politics of Film
  • Why Hollywood is like high school but with more money.
  • When to kiss the ring, kiss ass, and kick ass.
  • The plus and minuses of blowing it with Steven Spielberg.
• Dealing With Producers and Film Executives
  • The reasons they hire certain directors.
  • The “No” that grows.
  • Dealing with producers that have your back and those that stab you in the back.
• Getting Attention and Getting Work
  • How to brand yourself.
  • Short films for short attention spans.
  • How to pitch.
  • The double edged sword – Hollywood’s love/hate of visionaries.
• Agents
  • Do they work for you or do you work for them?
• Dealing With Actors
  • Judging actors’ creativity.
  • Stress relief when actors implode.
  • Hunting for a cast and actor bait.
  • The destructive power of star power.
• Post Production
  • Know your footage.
  • Cutting Shoot ‘Em Up action scenes.
  • Music, music, music!
• Marketing and Distribution
  • How to find a good sales rep.
  • How to deal with critics.
  • Theatrical release – Holy Grail or Holy pain in the ass?
  • Cutting your own trailer.
  • The future of filmmaking – Freddie Wong is right!
• Recorded, in-depth Q&A with Michael!

• Directors interested in improving their skills to get more work.
• Directors looking for representation or who want to get more out of their current representation.
• Directors interested in pursuing independent and/or studio production.
• Directors interested in learning more about the business of filmmaking.
• Directors interested in learning how to navigate the prevalent political culture within the industry.
• Experienced directors, who want to know they aren’t alone facing the challenges of filmmaking.
• Film school directors who want to avoid making early career mishaps.
• Filmmakers applying to film school and filmmakers wondering if they need film school.
• Writers who want to direct their own work.