Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stage 32?

Stage 32 is the world's largest social network and educational site for film, television and theater creatives. Launched in September of 2011, the community is now filled with over a quarter million members from every country on the planet. Simply put, Stage 32 is the online community uniquely populated by the most creative people on Earth.

For more on Stage 32, please read our mission statement.

Who Created Stage 32?

On the morning of June 29th, 1940, Orson Welles stood at the center of what is now Stage 32 on the Paramount lot and yelled, "Action!" The very first scene for RKO 281, better known as Citizen Kane, was underway. Welles was only 25 years old at the time, but he was wise enough to understand that if he was to have success, he needed to surround himself not only with extremely talented creatives, but true collaborators.

History hasn’t been kind to Welles - megalomaniac is a word that gets thrown around often – but if you are to read articles and books from back in the time of Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons you’ll find that those who worked closely with Welles are quick to praise him as someone who not only solicited the opinions of others, but yielded to them. In short, he embraced the collaborative spirit.

It is with this spirit in mind with which I created Stage 32. As an actor, screenwriter and producer, I have experienced the challenges and frustrations associated with living a creative life. What I’ve learned over the years is that connections, support and affirmative energy matter equally to honing one’s craft. This platform is designed to provide the networking opportunities as well as an extremely positive and collaborative environment conducive to the success of every film, television and theater creative regardless of geography or experience.

But Stage 32 is not only about networking, it’s also very much about education. Years back, when I was looking for some screenwriting guidance, I was amazed to see find such a lack of quality education and, for that matter, educators, online. I had my fill of unqualified instructors doling out either base or simply incorrect information. It became my mission to rectify the situation and to give creatives around the globe access to top-notch education. I couldn’t be more proud to have accomplished just that.

Today, Stage 32 works with over 1,000 industry executives and has been recognized by Forbes magazine as the leading source for educating film, television and new media creatives through our Next Level webinars, classes and labs. Further, Stage 32 Script Services provides access to producers, directors of development, managers and agents. Stage 32 Script Services works with hundreds of industry professionals to provide feedback on scripts through script coverage, pitching, consultations and the Stage 32 Writers' Room. To date, over 500 writers have been signed, sold, optioned or staffed by meeting through the platform.

Since Curt Blakeney and I founded Stage 32 and launched it in 2011, connecting, educating, job opportunities and unparalleled content have been and remain the cornerstones of Stage 32. The mission from day one, when I invited 100 of my closest industry friends to join the platform, has been to provide a welcoming and productive environment for all film, television and theater creatives. Today, we are over 500,000 members strong and our base ranges from students to Academy, Emmy and BAFTA Award winners.

This is a network for you, built by you. And like most things in life, the more you put in the more you get out. I hope you will take the time to participate in this remarkably talented, selfless and collaborative community. You have my pledge that my staff and I will continue to do all we can to provide you with the resources, education and content designed to give you the best opportunity at success no matter where you are in the world. Creativity is truly universal.

I look forward to connecting with you.

Rich "RB" Botto Founder/CEO Stage 32

Is there a Stage 32 App?

Yes! Click here for more info.

What is Stage 32's policy on self-promotion and SPAM?

We have a zero tolerance for spam at Stage 32. And while we realize that many of our members have a company to promote, a crowdfunding project they'd like to get exposure for, or even perhaps a reel they'd like to get more eyes on, we ask that you do so in an organic way.

The following are not permitted:

1. Spamming multiple member walls or multiple Lounge topics with the same message or promotion.
2. Sending canned private messages to multiple accounts.
3. Soliciting payment for a product or service via wall posts, Lounge posts, private message, project posting, etc. Crowdfunding promotion for your own projects is allowed in the appropriate sections of the Stage 32 Lounge.

Violation of any of these spam policies will result in an automatic account suspension and removal of the offending content.

We ask all of our members to be active in the community. To not only self promote, but to participate in conversations and offer assistance and guidance to other members where possible.

For information about advertising on Stage 32, please contact biz@stage32.com.

I just joined Stage 32 - where do I start?

Our Founder and CEO, RB, did a FREE webinar that goes over all of the site features. This "tutorial" is about 20 minutes, followed by a 2 hour Q&A session about how to best use the site, as well as questions about the industry. You can access the FREE video here: http://www.stage32.com/blog/On-Stage-With-RB-%E2%80%93-Now-Available-Fre...

What Professions Are Permitted on Stage 32?

Stage 32 is a community for film, television, and theater creatives. If you work in any of these fields - be it as a actor, producer, director, writer, composer, crew, etc - you are invited to join. If by chance you feel your profession is missing from our comprehensive list, please feel free to drop us a line.

Can I choose more than one profession?

Yes! We accept all multihyphenates! If you are an actor who also directs or a producer that also writes, you have the ability to choose more than one profession by editing your profile.

Can I refer people?

Yes! A network is only as strong as its members. That's why we ask all new members to invite 5 fellow creatives. You can do this right through the site by using the Invite friends to Stage 32 section directly below your profile picture. We also ask our members to spread the word through other social media such as Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

Are companies allowed on Stage 32?

Yes, however we prefer that you associate a name with the company however, such as - John Doe - Planet X Productions. Many Stage 32 members are reluctant to accept network requests from profiles that do not have a proper name attached.

I have a personal website - Can I link to Stage 32?

Yes! And we encourage you to do so. Many of our members have had great success in directing interested parties from their personal website to their Stage 32 profile.

We've made it easy to post a Stage 32 icon linking your personal website to your profile - Click here for more: http://www.stage32.com/button

What about my blog? Can I blog about Stage 32?

Yes! Many members of Stage 32 have blogged about their experiences with the site. To schedule an interview with CEO Richard Botto, please email press@stage32.com

I Hate My Face - Do I Need To Upload a Headshot?

Don't be shy! Profiles without a headshot will have limited access to the site, not be featured in certain sections ("People Near You", for example), and will rank lower in search results. Also, many Stage 32 members are reluctant to accept a network request or communicate with those who do not post a headshot.

Simply put, adding a profile picture will allow you to experience everything Stage 32 has to offer. Put a face to the name!

What is Build My Network?

There are two ways to build your network and expand your area of influence on Stage 32. Remember, who you know is as important as what you know, so start reaching out to as many people in the industry as possible.

Expand your network -- Will list individuals who have projects that may be of interest to you. Check out their projects in progress and see if there is a good fit. For example, a director may be looking for actors/actresses, a playwright may be looking for a producer, or a producer may be looking for a director.

People you may know -- This is a list of individuals who have something in common with you -- whether a mutual friend or contact, film school attended, or city that you live in.

How do I ask someone to join My Network?

Once you find someone you'd like to add to your network, go to their profile page, and look for the "Add John Doe to your network" link under their profile ID. Alternatively, you can find people suggested under "People near you," "Expand your network," or "People you may know," in which case there will be a small "Add" button next to their profile picture.

How do I "talk" with another Stage 32 member?

There are several ways to communicate with another member of Stage 32. You can post on another member's wall, which is open for all members to see. You can start a discussion or participate in an existing conversation on the Discussion Board. You can post a topic or reply to a post in the Stage 32 Lounge. You can send them a private message, which is located just under the other party's profile ID. You can check to see "Who's Online," and do an instant private chat session. Explore the site, find people and topics that interest you and then NETWORK!

What is network activity?

The Network activity section shows you the most recent wall posts, Lounge discussions, and content uploads from your Stage 32 network. Click here for more information.

What is the Stage 32 Lounge?

The Stage 32 Lounge is the coolest hangout on the web. You can add a lounge topic to any post - there is a drop down menu beneath every posting bar - or you can just enter the Lounge (top menu button) and join any conversation in any topic.

Further, you can subscribe to Lounge topics or simply just follow a Lounge discussion.

The Introduce Yourself section is a great place to quickly make yourself available to the entire network.

What is the difference between a Wall Post and a Lounge Post?

When you post on your wall without a Lounge topic, your post is ONLY visible to those in your network. This is a great way to communicate directly with those in your inner circle.

When you post with a Lounge Topic attached, you are posting to EVERYONE who subscribes to the topic, wanders into the topic, and those already in your network.

How do I use the "Search" function?

You can use the quick Search bar in the upper right to search members by name. For more advanced searches, under Browse, select People or Projects.

People can be searched by Name, City, College/University, Film school, or Profession.

Projects can be searched by Title, Location, Project Status, Project Type or Genre.

How many private messages can I store and how long do they stay stored?

Currently, we have no limit on the number of private messages a member can store. As long as your account is active, all private messages will be stored until the recipient deletes them.

What is the Tip of the Week?

The Tip of the Week is our way of helping Stage 32 members get the most out of their networking experience. All tips can be found under the Browse menu on the top bar.

How can I change my email notification settings?

To change your email notification settings, click "Notifications" on the menu that appears when you hover over your headshot in the upper right-hand corner of the screen (next to the search bar). Here you can choose what types of notifications you'd like to receive.

What's that number in the corner of my profile?

Those are Karma Points.

What are Karma Points?

Karma Points is a measurement of a member's activity level on Stage 32. You build "good karma" by creating content, adding members to your network and interacting with the community. Good things come to people with good karma.

How do I report abuse or inappropriate content?

If you believe you are the victim of an unfriendly Stage 32 user or you find content you believe to be inappropriate, please report it by clicking on the "Report Abuse" link at the bottom right of your profile page. All reports are taken seriously and we have zero tolerance for abusive members.

What is the Stage 32 Deals section?

Stage 32 Deals features exclusive special deals for Stage 32 Members.

To become a strategic partner with Stage 32 and offer your services or products in the Stage 32 Deals section, please contact biz@stage32.com

Who do I contact with a press inquiry?

Please direct all press requests to - Press@stage32.com

Who should I contact for marketing, strategic partnerships, or sponsorships?

For any marketing, strategic partnership, or sponsorship inquiries, please contact - biz@stage32.com

I still have a technical question. Who can I contact?

Please review the FAQ one last time. If you are still having technical difficulties, please contact our CTO Derrick Ontiveros.

How can I format text and add links?

You can add special formatting and custom links to Lounge posts, wall posts, and messages on Stage 32.

Here's a quick reference:

italic

Wrap your text with a single asterisk (*) like this: *italic*

bold

Wrap your text with two asterisks (**) like this: **bold**

italic and bold

Wrap your text with three asterisks (***) like this: ***italic and bold***

Links

Place the link text in [brackets] and the link URL in (parenthesis) immediately after. Don't put a space between the link text and the URL. Here's an example:

[Link Text](http://www.example.com) will turn into Link Text

How do I link directly to a Lounge or wall post?

Click the blue bookmark icon under any Lounge or wall post (directly above the comment section).

This will take you directly to this post's permanent page. To share a link to this page, just copy the URL from your browser's address bar and paste it in an email or share it with friends via Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks.

How do I delete my account?

Click on your profile button at the top right corner. Under Account Settings click "Email & password". On the bottom right corner there is a button for DELETE. We're sorry to see you go.