Happy Sunday, Creative Army!

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

This week’s featured video comes from Vanity Fair: Emerald Fennell Breaks Down a Scene From Wuthering Heights.

What I love about this breakdown is how clearly Emerald talks about every creative choice coming from an emotional place. The costumes, the food, the lighting, the scale of the rooms, the props, the candles, the dollhouse, none of it is just there to be beautiful. It is all working to communicate power, longing, cruelty, class, repression, desire, and emotional danger.

That’s what great world-building does! It doesn’t simply recreate a period or decorate a set. It creates a feeling. Emerald talks about wanting the film to feel timeless, uncanny, primal, and emotionally resonant rather than strictly literal. That’s an important distinction. Sometimes the most truthful version of a story is not the most historically exact one. It’s the version that makes the audience feel what the characters are feeling.

And this scene is a perfect example. It’s “just” a dinner scene on the surface, but underneath it, everyone at that table knows a bomb has gone off. Heathcliff has returned. Cathy is trying to prove she made the right choice. Edgar is trying to hold his place. Isabella is awakening to something dangerous. Nelly is watching the madness unfold. The room is polite, but the emotions are feral. That’s why the details matter.

To me, the biggest takeaway is this: when you’re building a world, every element needs to know what story it’s telling. The costumes should know. The props should know. The lighting should know. The blocking should know. The silence should know. That’s how you create something that stays with people.

And speaking of walking into rooms with intention, Cannes kicks off in just over a week, and I want to talk for a minute about attending markets like Cannes, AFM, or any major industry event. My biggest piece of advice is simple: be prepared.

Do the work before you arrive. Know why you’re going. Know who you want to meet. Know what you’re trying to accomplish. You don’t need to schedule every second of your day, because plenty of business happens in the streets, restaurants, hotel lobbies, parties, and unexpected conversations. But you do need a strategy.

I have seen too many people show up to major markets with no plan, and then they start flailing. They’re handing people cards at the wrong moment, forcing trailers onto phones, trying to pitch anyone who stands still long enough to listen. That energy reads as chaos. And you never want to come across as chaotic.

You want to come across as clear, calm, knowledgeable, and prepared.

Have a logline for your goal. When someone inevitably asks, “What brings you to Cannes?” you should have a concise, confident answer. Not a ramble. Not a desperate pitch. A clear reason for why you’re there and what you’re looking to do. Because everyone at a market is there for a reason. The more clearly you can communicate your purpose, the easier it is for people to understand how they might connect with you, help you, or remember you.

And my second piece of advice is just as important: have fun!

Markets are serious business, absolutely. But desperation is loud. People can feel it. If you walk into every room like this one conversation will make or break your entire career, you put too much pressure on yourself and everyone around you. Instead, be curious. Ask people what they’re there for. Listen. Build meaningful connections. Follow up. Stay open to the unexpected.

That’s where the real magic of these markets often happens.

When you walk into an industry event, meeting, or creative opportunity, what helps you feel most prepared and confident? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

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

Vanity Fair | Emerald Fennell Breaks Down a Scene From Wuthering Heights

RBWalksIntoABar | Advice for Attending Markets Like Cannes or AFM

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Ashley at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

Please help support your fellow Stage 32ers by sharing this on social. Check out the social media buttons at the top to share on Instagram @stage32 , Twitter @stage32 , Facebook @stage32 , and LinkedIn @stage-32 .