Happy Sunday, Creative Army!

I hope your weekend has been a creative one so far. Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or sketching out the next spark of an idea, I’ve got something today that will give you a boost. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in.

This week’s featured video comes from StudioBinder and explores a question that’s fascinated filmmakers for decades: What makes Studio Ghibli’s work so powerful—and why is it nearly impossible to replicate?

In The Secret Behind Studio Ghibli’s Success, the video breaks down how Miyazaki, Takahata, and their collaborators built a studio defined not by speed, scale, or formulas, but by intention. From Miyazaki’s famously improvisational process to the studio’s commitment to hand-drawn animation, stillness, and emotional restraint, Ghibli reminds us that storytelling doesn’t always need to rush toward conflict to be compelling.

One of the most striking ideas in the video is the concept of ma, the use of stillness and quiet moments that allow emotion to breathe. Ghibli films aren’t afraid to linger on the small details: a breeze through grass, a character pausing before a decision, the texture of everyday life. Those moments are what make their stories feel human, grounded, and timeless. Visually, Ghibli’s dedication to hand-drawn animation and fine-art influences demands patience and precision. Narratively, their films often resist rigid three-act structures, favoring character evolution over traditional villains or high-stakes plot mechanics. And thematically, their work consistently returns to ideas of environmentalism, pacifism, coming of age, and coexistence.

The takeaway here isn’t “copy Studio Ghibli.” It’s understanding why their work resonates. They know who they are. They know what they value. And every creative decision flows from that clarity.

Which brings me to the business side of things, specifically, how you decide where your work belongs.

I see too many writers casting their nets way too wide when pitching. They chase executives because of reputation or recent success, without asking the most important question: Does my project actually fit what this company makes? When I pitch, I start broad and then get ruthless. I might list 40 companies at first, then cut that list in half, then half again, until I’m left with only the places that truly align with the material. Not “maybe.” Not “they’re famous.” But they actually make this kind of project.

When we sold a show to Amblin, we narrowed hundreds of possible companies down to just four. Four. Because we were honest about what the show was: expensive, prestige-driven, and not for everyone. And when we walked into those rooms, we led with clarity. We didn’t just pitch the story—we explained why we were pitching it to them. We showed that we understood their taste, their risk tolerance, and their brand. That’s the difference between throwing spaghetti at the wall and pitching with intention.

Just like Studio Ghibli knows exactly what kind of stories they tell and how they tell them, you need that same level of self-awareness when you take your work out into the world. Your job isn’t to pitch everywhere. Your job is to pitch right.

So let’s talk. When you’re developing or pitching a project, how do you decide where it belongs? Are you casting wide, or narrowing with purpose? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s learn from one another.

As always, here at Stage 32, we love sharing stories and knowledge with our fellow film fans. Know someone who would love this content? Share it with them! You can keep up with all of our videos by subscribing to the Stage 32 YouTube Channel. For more inspirational, educational, and motivational content on all things entertainment industry, follow me on Instagram and X @rbwalksintoabar.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and creative Sunday.

Cheers,

RB

StudioBinder | The Secret Behind Studio Ghibli’s Success

RBWalksIntoABar | Narrow Down Where To Pitch

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