Producing

The place for all producers to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on raising funds, setting a budget, on set strategies and all other topics related to producing a film, television or theater project

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg
Unscripted Production

What do you want to know about unscripted production? Ask me here!

Our show Uncharted Freedom has officially wrapped principal photograph today!  In its wake, we are putting together a discussion and seminar on "unscripted" production. But we thought we'd open it up here to S32 members who have quest...

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Maurice Vaughan

Thank you, Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg! This really helps!

Rutger Oosterhoff 2

Hi, Shadow, check the (two page pitch for an) unscripted tv showTHE TRUMAN SHOW DELUSION under it's logline, and tell me if it could work? Good stand-up comedians made unrecognizable, and acting. They are stand-up comedians suffering from TSD.

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

Rutger Oosterhoff 2 That reads like a scripted film to me. What is the unscripted (ie. real people in real situations) part? However, when pitching unscripted, it is important to understand that you m...

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Phuc Quang Vu Dao

Congrats on wrapping! Love the idea of opening this up to the community. Unscripted work is such a different beast—excited to learn from your experiences.

Karolina Rum
Prepping for AFM: Sales Agents as strategic partners for Producers

When we’re in production mode, our heads spin with cameras, talent, location logistics. And then—post wrap—we hope the distribution world will be a walk in the park. Spoiler: it rarely is.

As a producer I’ve learned this the hard way: the film doesn’t live solely in the edit room or on set—it lives i...

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Phuc Quang Vu Dao

Such an important topic, Karolina! Distribution strategy can make or break a film. Thanks for shedding light on the sales agent partnership!

Karolina Rum

Phuc Quang Vu Dao you're welcome!

Aleksandr Rozhnov
Theme or Storyline — What Matters More?

Dear producers, I have a question for you.

When agents or producers in Hollywood — or in the West in general — watch films, what interests them more: the theme or the storyline?

For example, today I finished the final draft of my film “Fast as a Fly.”

The theme of this film is that success is not a mir...

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Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

Well, any of us might be looking for something on a given theme - but it's the storyline that is what is being bought.

Aleksandr Rozhnov

Thank you very much, I understand.

Douglas Esper

I think what’s most important is how those two elements are blended into a fresh, unique form. without both working in unison, scripts get muddy.

Phuc Quang Vu Dao

Aleksandr, that's a great question! I think both matter, but storyline is usually what hooks people first. The best scripts weave theme seamlessly into the narrative—when theme and storyline work together naturally, that's when magic happens!

Darrell Pennington
Pros / Cons of Inspired By Real Events

I am curious as to the general thoughts of Producers or Production Companies using 'Inspired By Real Events' as part of the promotion of a project. Has the Baby Reindeer blowback significantly impacted the ideas about that approach? It applies to my Dixie Dynamite project, but I don't want to utiliz...

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Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

I am not aware of any blowback. But I honestly don't know that "inspired by real events" is or is not an actual selling point in any promo.

Darrell Pennington

It has been suggested a few times that I put that reference in on the cover page of the pilot.

Marc Nelson
Alive - Short Film

Hi All,

I've been working on my scriptwriting for over 2 years now and have utilised the services of Stage32 for many of them.

Back in August, I had the idea of starting my own production company, having previously owned and sold an IT company, I believed I had a lot of experience to bring to the tabl...

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Ashley Renee Smith

This is such an inspiring update, Marc Nelson, congratulations on taking that leap and turning your story into a film with real purpose behind it. Alive sounds deeply personal and incredibly meaningfu...

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Marc Nelson

Thanks Ashley. I'm excited to bring it to life. I've setup an Instagram account that will provide updates and photos etc. Search for doublesixproductions.ig and follow us.

Marc Nelson

As a side note (probably something bigger than a side note actually) I am producing another film. A 30 minute film called Got to be Certain. An aspiring artist falls for both the lead singer and a bis...

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Piotr Peszek

a great initiative, it will definitely be a film full of emotions. I wish you success, it will be nice to see it.

Darrell Pennington

So inspiring to hear from others taking chances in promoting their creative dreams. It's not aways an easy decision to make. Hope to hear more about upcoming projects as they develop.

Geoffroy Faugerolas
Last chance to submit! Get your Genre Script Packaged & Developed!

This is it, friends! Today is THE LAST DAY to submit to the Stage 32 + Mammoth Pictures Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest here: https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/contests/12th-Annual-Search-for-New-Blood-Screenwriting-Contest.

The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will get into a script d...

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Richard "RB" Botto
How Tom Rothman Won The War For Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon A Time … In Hollywood’

Some great insider pool on how Tom Rothman won over QT to secure ONCE UPON A TIME...IN HOLLYWOOD. Fascinating read.

https://deadline.com/2025/10/how-sony-won-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-......

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Ashley Renee Smith

That was a fascinating read, Richard "RB" Botto, it really highlights how much strategy and trust go into landing a project of that scale. Rothman’s ability to understand what Tarantino needed creativ...

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Richard "RB" Botto

"It’s a reminder that strong relationships and a genuine respect for the creative vision can still win out, even in a highly competitive studio landscape."

This is a great takeaway. And you're spot on...

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Ashley Renee Smith
This Week’s Paramount Layoffs Signal Major Shifts Post-Skydance Merger

Big changes are underway at Paramount following the $8.4 billion merger with Skydance. According to Deadline, roughly 1,000 workers in the U.S. will be laid off this week, with another thousand expected to follow in the near future. Read the full article here:

https://deadline.com/2025/10/paramount-l...

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Maurice Vaughan

It's terrible that there are going to be layoffs, Ashley Renee Smith. "What do you think these changes mean for the future of producing, especially for independent filmmakers navigating a studio syste...

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Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

The mainstream industry continues in free fall... Where will it all land? My team is moving fast so as to take advantage of the changes, and not be crushed when the major studios finally hit the ground.

Ashley Renee Smith

I agree, Maurice Vaughan. The ripple effects of these kinds of corporate shifts often create both challenges and opportunities. Agile indie producers have the flexibility to move fast, take creative r...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg The shake-up at the top is definitely unsettling, but it’s also creating real space for independent teams to move in with fresh ideas and streamlined production models....

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Sandra Isabel Correia
Global Film Production Hits Record High and India Leads the Charge.

According to the latest Global Innovation Index, global film production soared to 9,511 films in 2023, the highest ever recorded. But here’s the headline: India produced over 2,500 films, more than triple any other country.

As producers, this raises a powerful question: Why is India number one, and w...

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Maurice Vaughan

That's a lot of films for one country, Sandra Isabel Correia! Maybe the population plays a part. More people, more filmmakers, writers, etc., more movies.

Sandra Isabel Correia

Can you imagine that, Maurice Vaughan? 2,500 films it's "insane," but yes, their population is also giant. I found it interesting; thats why I shared :)...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Netflix Enters the Podcast Game — But Is It Leaving Comedy (and Major Viewership) on the Table?

Netflix’s upcoming partnership with Spotify and The Ringer marks a fascinating next step in how streamers are expanding beyond traditional video content, but it also raises serious questions about what drives engagement and longevity in the streaming age.

According to Deadline’s full breakdown, which...

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Maurice Vaughan

I think Netflix should lean harder into Comedy podcasts as part of its long-term streaming strategy, Ashley Renee Smith. Comedy is huge! It's what I mainly watch during breaks and at the end of a long...

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Fred Smith

I get why some folks are skeptical of Netflix’s new podcast move — they risk sidelining comedy creators and “big names” in favor of formats that just drive repeat engagement. That said, this shift fee...

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Maurice Vaughan
The Making of After All Part 2: The Producer’s Journey

And Christian is having a FREE Ask Me Anything here in the Producing Lounge from 10/28 to 10/29. Join in with your questions. ww...

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Kevin Hoyer
Guidance please.

Hello Stage 32 Community,

I’m not exactly new here, but it feels like it. I joined about 11 years ago and never really utilized Stage 32. However, I’m back and in need of some guidance. I’m reaching out for help finding a producer for my first feature script, A Hell of Heaven, a horror/thriller set i...

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Kevin Hoyer

First, thank you, Maurice, for all your help. While yes, I can upload my pitch deck in the designated spot for a screenplay, and yes, the file name does contain “pitch deck,” the icon/link that redire...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Kevin Hoyer. It's because Stage 32 mainly encourages members to add screenplays to their profiles. You could put a note in the synopsis area like I do saying the file that's attached i...

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Geoffroy Faugerolas

Welcome back, Kevin!

Your project sounds interesting. Great timing too, as period horror has been performing well.

I'd recommend targeting producers who've done 1980s period pieces OR psychological horr...

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Kevin Hoyer

Thank you, Geoffroy. I believe I was speaking (emailing) with Pat A(lexander) earlier today. I’ll ask him to forward my information to you. Please let me know if you need any additional information.

And once again, thank you, Maurice, for being patient with me.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Kevin Hoyer. Hope you find a producer for your script!

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