Joy Merriweather's Lounge Discussions

Hello everyone, Happy Sunday

My real acting career began when I STOPPED being afraid of "them." Stopped worrying if they liked me or my work and I started to just pitch MYSELF directly to directors, casting directors and producers on Stage 32 instead of "waiting" for my agent to do it for me. I knew what I was great at and I let "them" know it. I pitched myself as "the love child of Bette Midler and Woody Allen."

I'm now the proud owner of 4 Best Supporting Actor Awards.

So, if you are NOT succeeding as an actor, get up, dust off and start pitching.

I've been in the film industry for 12 years with the mentality to help build a mainstream platform in the vacant areas of the south eastern region in the states.  Of course it's been a challenge and experience and we're still in the growth process.  But the first rule that we stand by, and that serious writers or filmmakers should know, is that story's first.   Might sound a little cliche but aside from budget, talent and a big production, quality stories can determine success and longevity in any area as it draws other creative minds that can help build a force. 

Hollywood offers many opportunities but not every serious filmmaker gets that 'chance.'  That's why I'm an avid fan of quality indies.  I encourage anyone that would like to start fresh in a new market... keep hustling.  Get inventive.  Think outside the box.  The opportunities are there, especially in the information world we're in.  You might have to compromise and create a solid blueprint, but as you may know, one of the most important ingredients is to stay consistent.  And quality over quantity!  I'm always open to conversation and look forward to following more work of some very talented people on stage 32.  A lot of you have great knowledge of the film industry.     

That being said, I'm excited to pass on the latest episode of our web-series, Bermuda City.  It's currently a 6 part series based on a comic book.  Written, produced, directed and co-starring yours truly.  Production was shot in the northern region of Alabama with local talent and a very low budget.  Some of you have followed the series since it started and have given great feedback.  And some of you we still plan to collaborate with.  :-)  I just hope you enjoy the damn thing!  

Bermuda City - episode 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RYy0JqRP8Q

Hello everyone I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Timon Morales and I got a late start at the Entertainment game. You see in 1993 while attending acting school at Columbia College Chicago I was hit buy a van while riding my bicycle to work. I went face first into the glass window shield. (Thus the name Broken Face Productions. My scull x-ray logo is the actual x-ray after they put all the screws and bolts unto my face.) I took a long journey down an alcohol and drug path that I wouldn't wish on my most hated enemy. 20 years in that toxic world! But no more. I have found new joy in writing, acting, directing, storytelling like back when I was a child. So I got to be on Sons of Anarchy, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family. Now I'm ready to make my own Breaking Bad, My own Sons of Anarchy! So I am down here in Florida currently working 3 angles. 1.) I am pitching my Pilot "Night Ministry" right here on Stage 32 and the EX requested the script. 2.) I am filming a sag Low budget doc titled Wildlife Inc. aka Anna Maria Island and the lost treasure. 3.) I am starting to write a new roller derby script which I have all ready outlined and am now working on the writing process. So thank you anyone who actually read all of thisThank you very much!

Hi my name's Daryl. I recently set up a small film production company and Facebook page called Dead On Films with a few good friends. We had no experience and no budget but we managed to complete our first short horror film. It's been a lot of fun and the experience and lessons learned are invaluable. I'm currently writing our next script which we hope begin next month. Thanks for reading.

Hi there guys. My name is Virginia McKevitt and I have been a member of Stage 32 since April of 2012. I'm an independent published author who writes fantasy/science fiction with a much broader scope to include romance, mystery, action and adventure. I am currently in the process of taking my series, Fracture The Secret Enemy Saga, from book to a screen written version for movie or television. Stage 32 has opened up opportunities for so many people in the years I have been here. Thanks for joining. You may be next. Hello and welcome to the neighborhood!

Hi Everyone. My indie feature just went up on Vimeo on Demand and Fandor. I'm looking for ways to make it stand out from the crowd and get some views.Here's what it looks like - let me know what you think: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/whiterabbit Have a great weekend. -bill

Hello, I've written a book call (One Way, no left turn). I've also written a curriculum for 10 classes trying to help change mind. Praying to help save lives. The book has 9 short stories about left turns and how they can destroy your life. These stories can be played out and or be short shows like The Twilight Zone. Remember that show? My passion in life is to help others. Thanks everyone

Hi Everyone, I've been part of the STAGE 32 universe for awhile but never stepped into the weekend intros before. Glad to be here now. I'm here to report at dream come true. After nearly a year (while producing and directing numerous projects) I've finished writing (and re-writing) my feature called "Objects of Belief". Just yesterday I registered it with the WGA and listed the script with InkTip to get the work into the marketplace. I'll list the LogLine on this site as soon as figure out where it goes and how to get it there. We'll talk Leo Maselli San Francisco

Joel Savage is a freelance writer, journalist, and author residing in Belgium. Being a black journalist in a country dominated by a hundred percent white journalists, his articles have changed the landscape of journalism and caused provocation in Belgium. “I didn’t come to Belgium to praise their chocolates and waffles, I came to speak against their applauded, praised, and honored crime they committed in Africa, especially in Congo and Rwanda.” says author Joel Savage. He was born in the coastal town of Cape Coast, in the Central Region of Ghana, on January 19, 1957, a town where a lot of Africans were taken as slaves. He lost his nationality in 1985 when working in Freetown, Sierra Leone for many years. Much influenced by his father who was a veteran journalist, Joel started writing while very young. His work is considered to be a pure genre of creative nonfiction of human touch, with an appeal to a broad general audience. He studied at Ebenezer Secondary School, Accra High School, and had a course in journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. As a freelance writer, Joel wrote feature articles for the Daily Graphic, the Ghanaian Times, and the Weekly Spectator in Accra for a certain period. In Belgium, Joel joined the Flemish Journalists Association. He served as a Belgium correspondent to the Voice News Magazine, published in the Netherlands. He also writes for other international news magazines including ‘Sprout Africa, African Business. Com and Diplomatic Aspects Newspaper. He currently lives in Antwerp, with his wife and three children, and has published eight books. https://juskosave.blogspot.com/

Hi, I'm a makeup artist/hairstylist based in Chicago. With experience in Tv/Film, runway, commercial and print. I have to say I love it all as long as I'm doing makeup I'm happy. But if I had to pick, I'm pretty positive tv/film is where I want to be. Here's a link to my site checkout some of my work www.beautybygenell.com updates coming soon.

Hey everyone! It's so exciting to see everyone here. The sense of excitement is very palpable. As usual I'm moving ahead, slowly letting go of the day job and writing more. I came up with a few more writing projects to develop, not all of them screenplay related, but writing nonetheless, including being hired to ghostwrite a biography. Yay for stretching boundaries! I hope everyone takes a chance and believes in themselves, because y'all have it in you!

I've been mostly a lurker on Stage 32 for the nearly 4 years that I've been a member, but I guess it's never to late to jump all the way in. I've had a love of filmmaking since I got my first hulking camcorder as a teenager (not to date myself, but it was a two-piecer --one with the camera works, and a separate piece to lug around the recording media). For some reason, I had a youthfully misguided distrust of the Hollywood "machine," so I tried to further my film education and experience as far from L.A. as possible. To make a long story short, it didn't really work. So, I tried to craft a "normal" life without giving filmmaking a second thought--and I did so, quite successfully, for nearly 20 years. But then, while considering a Masters program to further my boring career, I found myself wandering around web sites for low-residency MFA Screenwriting programs. I eventually found an excellent program that combined craft, practical experience, and industry-insider knowledge (National University's Professional Screenwriting MFA) and, after a few years of hard--but rewarding--work, I obtained my degree. The experience also rewarded me two extremely well-vetted scripts and the practical know-how to write and evaluate scripts that are ready for the Hollywood "machine." Of course, a successful screenwriting career is a marathon--not a sprint--so I know that I am still building momentum in my writing cadence. I look to Stage 32 not just for finding that one producer or manager who will "make" my career, but also for the camaraderie and support that we all need as we stumble along our rambling courses.

Hey everyone on Stage 32, I'm just dropping a quick message to introduce myself on here. I'm Rey Janjua the dreamer, conjurer, warrior and mighty R.E.P Knight of movie making, film and production. I've been working hard over the last few years creating some really cool things with my R.E.P Knights and we've got some really magical and fun stuff coming out soon. We're a positive, dynamic, resourceful and creative team that love to create awesome stuff with new and exciting people. Please check out my reel here with my team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIY8CYEJTh0 I love all aspects of film making and the challenges it brings. I have a never say die attitude and enjoy all the vast cultures and walks of life that the mighty marble offers. I relish the opportunity to work with new, positive and exciting people. I'm currently based in London with my Knights, but I travel when I can to the to U.S and other countries to connect, create and have some real fun living life to the max. I enjoy the prospect of progressing my career further on this platform by connecting with more industry professionals who would like to work with me and create some new magic on the big and small screens. All the best, Rey

Hello STAGE 32 members, I have 2 movies coming to the big screen this month of August. "Sinister2" which was filmed in Chicago a year ago and I was the Department Head Hair. The other is "Shanghai" which as filmed 6 years ago in London and Bangkok and I was John Cusack's personal makeup artist and hairstylist. And as ever I very happy to connect to productions in need of my expertise. Message me!:)

Hello All! I've been a member of the Stage32 family for almost a year now and it has been such a wonderful experience. I have learned so much from RB, the staff and fellow members, and so grateful for the guidance and support. I came to LA in October, 2013 with suitcase in hand and looking to start over yet again. I had just published my 5th book, It's Simply Serendipity and wrapped up the 34th America's Cup as a photographer and event ambassador. It's Simply Serendipity is my personal story of transformation from homelessness to published author in 2011-12. At the end of 2012 I injured my back and lost my job and home AGAIN. Didn't we already do this Universe? I had been living in the San Francisco Bay Area but my soul led me to LA for reasons I did not understand at the time, however I listened. Fast forward nearly two years and I'm living MY DREAM in a beautiful home in Santa Monica. Five of my now six published books have hit the bestseller list, and I have written my first script. I've taken a bit of a break from film the last couple of months to focus on my business of supporting other writers in becoming bestselling authors, and complete my 7th book, PEARL which is due out in November. PEARL is the sequel to It's Simply Serendipity and chronicles my journey from 2012-13 to landing in LA. I recently completed the trailer for the book and posted it on my page. I'd LOVE feedback. If you'd like to learn more about me and my work to support other writers as well as women in transition, please check out my website at www.CaliGilbert.com or come say on Facebook - www.facebook.com/CaliGilbert I look forward to connecting and supporting you any way I can.

Hello again, Stage 32. I am Brian. I am a self-taught film/video/audio editing artist. I have a growing sound effects portfolio on Pond5, and i have several video projects on vimeo and YouTube. I had two recent projects featured on the Official Facebook Page of The Yardbirds in June for the 50th anniversaries of their two hit songs, "For Your Love", and "Heart Full of Soul" respectively. I have been editing for over eight years. I would love to work with any creative types. Thank you for reading.

Hi everyone, I have recently graduated and am excited to be a part of Stage 32. I would love to connect with others to make wonderful stories come to life.

Hi Guys My name is Johnny Farrell and I'm an actor based in the UK. Have a great weekend everyone! Best Johnny