Learn how you can transition to a creative career from an Academy Award winner who began his filmmaking career at age 63!

Hollywood is overwhelming for anyone trying to break in. The politics are difficult to track, the gatekeepers are challenging to get past, and there’s no clear blueprint for how to “make it.” It’s hard to know where to start, how to make inroads, and how to build a career. And these challenges can feel even steeper for those trying to transition to a creative career from a different industry or later in life.

This doesn’t need to be the case. With a strong understanding of the industry and the right tools, this transition is absolutely achievable. Because, no matter what anyone tells you, this industry doesn't have an expiration age for people trying to break in. 

In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, you’ll see how your unique life experiences can inform your creative work so that your age actually works in your favor and makes you an asset in this industry.

Frank Stiefel began making films at age 63 and then won an Academy Award at age 70. Formerly a TV commercial executive in New York, Frank decided later in life to pursue filmmaking. His directorial debut, the documentary short INGELORE, played in national festivals and was later broadcast on HBO. His film HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405 went on to win the Jury and Audience prizes at the Austin Film Festival and earned Frank the Oscar at the 90th Academy Awards. Frank has found incredible success transitioning to a creative career later in life and is excited to reveal what he’s learned on his journey exclusively with the Stage 32 community.

Using his own story and path to success, Frank will discuss how he made the jump to filmmaking later in life, what he learned along the journey, and what lessons you can take along with you as you make your own transition.

Frank will use his first short film INGELORE as a case study to explain how to do research and take notes in the trenches. He’ll give you ideas of how to make something of your own on the cheap and what resources are available to you.

Frank also helps you prepare to transition to a new creative career. He’ll go over questions you should ask yourself before making the switch and how to form your plan. He will talk about how to better afford the transition and other advice you should consider before making the leap. He’ll also explain the most important thing he learned while making the transition.

Frank will then use HEAVEN as an example to demonstrate how you can use your unique personal background to inform your project and take criticism along the way. Frank will also discuss what he’s learned from his multiple festival runs and how he’s used it to win an Oscar, and what comes next after winning. Finally, Frank will break down how to make your own age and experience work in your favor while breaking in.

Finding success in Hollywood is difficult, but Frank has done so by carving his own path. He will give you perspective, inspiration, and strategies so that you can do the same.

Praise for Frank's Stage 32 Webinar

"Extremely inspirational. Great words of wisdom for mature people who want to break into the business." - Karen B.

"It was awesome and encouraging to have Frank Stiefel talk to people in their 50s, 60s and 70s that its never too late. Thank you Stage 32 for bringing this programming." - Ann K.

"I thought the candor with which Frank spoke was amazing." -Kerry B.

"Perfect seminar. I shy away from signing up for these when it's someone who is just 'in the biz.' Frank had a very real take on how to be successful in the industry and I appreciated that. Dedicated filmmaker with years of experience in other aspects of art and storytelling. It made for a very engaging and emotional webinar." - Anthony N.

A Short History of Frank

• How Frank began in Hollywood at 63 and won an Oscar at 70

Short Film Case Study: INGELORE

• Doing your research and taking notes
• How to film on the cheap, including resources
• Forming “the band” – the tribe you need to break in
• Tips for running your project

How to Know You’re Ready to Transition to a New Creative Career

• Questions to ask yourself before making the change
• How to form your plan (and then how to ditch it)
• How can you afford the transition?
• Advice to take the leap
• The most important thing to know if you take the leap

The Oscar Winning Film: Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405

• How the film came to be
• How to begin without a plan
• How to transition to a plan
• How to use your personal background to inform your film
• How to take criticism

Festival Run

• How to plan your short film run
• Doing it the 'wrong way'
• After you win an Academy Award-what comes next?

How Age and Experience Works In Your Favor

Q&A with Frank