Filmmaking / Directing

The place to discuss, share content and offer advice and tips on all things filmmaking and the craft of directing. From pre-production to on set practices to navigating the industry and beyond, this is your forum

FREE Stage 32 Webcast Event – Wednesday, October 8th at 11am PT!!

FREE Stage 32 Webcast Event – Wednesday, October 8th at 11am PT!!

Register by clicking the link below!

When you’re crafting an indie film, the music you choose isn’t just background—it’s storytelling. The right score sets the tone, builds emotional depth, and can make your film unforgettable. But too often, filmmakers bring composers in too late or struggle to align visions, leaving powerful opportunities on the table.

That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our Stage 32 + Film-Raderie Webcast: Composer + Filmmaker Relationship: How to Make Your Indie Film Successful—a FREE live event designed to help you navigate this crucial collaboration.

This expert panel features:

  • Dara Taylor, celebrated composer (Marvel’s Ironheart, The Tender Bar)
  • Lagueria Davis, director of Black Barbie (acquired by Shondaland)
  • Phil Popham, veteran composer (Helix Collective)
  • Emilie Upczak, filmmaker and storyteller

Together, they’ll share real-world insights on:

  • Why early music integration shapes your film’s tone from day one
  • Practical strategies for aligning creative visions with composers
  • Case studies from projects like Ironheart and Black Barbie
  • How to overcome common challenges like budget and timing

This is your chance to learn how to use music as a storytelling superpower—and to build the creative partnerships that can elevate your indie film.

Click here to register, if you can't make it live you'll recieve the full recording on-demand: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-x-film-raderie-composer-filmmaker-collaboration-webcast 

Let us know in the comments below- What’s a film where the music completely transformed the story for you?


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Maurice Vaughan 5
How Music Can Transform Your Indie Film: Join Our Free Stage 32 + Film-Raderie Webcast

Join us Wednesday October 8th for this FREE webcast! You’ll learn the importance of early music integration, strategies for effective composer-filmmaker collaboration, and more.

11:00 A.M. PT / 2:00 P.M. ET

This webcast is for filmmakers, producers, composers, writers, and more. No matter what corn...

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Darshan Jaju
My first short film, please watch.

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Maurice Vaughan 5

Congratulations on re-releasing your first short film, Darshan Jaju! I remember watching it, but I think it's been a while. I'll rewatch it and post some feedback....

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Darshan Jaju

Maurice Vaughan 5 Glad that you remember watching it. Do rewatch and share your feedback.

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I love this and the accountability for it. This week I want to learn more ways to incorporate AI to help our workflow and share it with the team!

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Mone't Weeks Congrats! Every milestone counts. Writers are like athletes. It's the daily grind that counts.

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Amanda Toney - Next Level Education
Free webcast: Composer + Filmmaker Relationship: How to Make Your Indie Film Successful Webcast

If you're interested in learning about how to work with your composer as a filmmaker we have a FREE webcast coming up with top composers, including Dara Taylor (Marvel’s Ironheart and Amazon Studios’ The Tender Bar directed by George Clooney); Phil Popham of Helix Collective, a veteran composer with...

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Maurice Vaughan 5

I just signed up for this webcast too, Amanda Toney - Next Level Education. Looking forward to it! Thanks.

John Latham

I just signed up too Thanks

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That take reminded me:

D...

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Brandon Keeton
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Hey, Brandon Keeton! I'm a writer-pitch design designer, and I people watch to learn things. I haven't been on set yet though.

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Brandon Keeton Depending on the set, actors can learn a lot, but most often they are ushered on and off set around their scenes. The primary position to learn everything on set is production assistant...

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Maurice Vaughan 5

Thanks for sharing your experience making a 48 Hour Film Project, Nelson de Gouveia. I haven't done one, but I tried to produce two feature films way back. You're right. Wearing a producer's hat is da...

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Keaton Rogouski
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hey I’m a young screenwriter/script writer who’s a filmmaker or screen writer who can help pitch my ideas and give me feedback on what I can do to change it thank you!

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Hey, Keaton Rogouski. Welcome to the community. Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Directors, producer...

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How do you manage tight deadlines?

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Creativity doesn’t always follow schedules. Here’s how to balance both:

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Maurice Vaughan 5

I do all of those things to manage tight deadlines, Vincent Weberink, especially prioritize tasks and use time blocks.

Vincent Weberink

That’s awesome to hear, Maurice Vaughan 5 Prioritizing and time blocks really do make a huge difference when the pressure is on.

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I looked at the teaser trailer. This ain’t it.

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