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?


Liked by Maurice Vaughan 5 and one other

Sandra Isabel Correia
Creative Spark: The Take That Danced with Danger

There’s a take in Killing Eve where Villanelle walks into a room, dressed like innocence, and kills with elegance.

No music. No panic. Just precision.

She wipes the knife. Smiles. Leaves.

It’s not just the choreography, it’s the emotional temperature. The contrast. The restraint.

That take reminded me:

D...

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Liked by Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg and one other

Brandon Keeton
Learning from others

Hey everyone! In addition to producing, writing and directing, I'm also an Actor. I find that when I book things as an Actor, I have the ability to do more people watching on set and it's a GREAT way to learn from others without getting in the way.

For instance, I actually get to watch the Director...

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Maurice Vaughan 5

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.

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

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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Liked by Ajay Ajay and one other

Darshan Jaju
My first short film, please watch.

I’m happy to share that my short film One Way: There’s No Turning Back has been re-released on my new channel Shiva Scope Originals.

The film earlier received an overwhelming response from viewers, but as a filmmaker, I deeply value the perspective of working professionals. Your insights and construc...

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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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Nelson de Gouveia
48 Hour Film Project - Putting a team together for a hectic weekend

If you've ever entertained the fantasy of leading a large team of professionals in creating a short or proof of concept that could blow people away, know that the reality is far different...and better than what's in your head.

In my pre-production experience of our latest short, "Bubbles & Boots" for...

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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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Liked by Maurice Vaughan 5 and one other

Keaton Rogouski
Film ideas…

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!

Maurice Vaughan 5

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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Liked by Ponce Deleon and 2 others

Vincent Weberink
How do you manage tight deadlines?

Tips for Balancing Creativity and Deadlines

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

1.Set Mini-Deadlines: Break the project into manageable chunks.

2.Prioritise Tasks: Focus on creative aspects with the biggest impact.

3.Stay Flexible: Adjust timelines when inspiration st...

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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.

Liked by Arthur Charpentier and one other

Ashley Renee Smith
Creative Growth Check-In: First Week of October

Hey Stage 32 Fam,

Welcome to our very first Creative Growth Check-In! Each week, we’ll open this thread as a space to reflect on how we’re actively challenging ourselves to grow, whether that’s creatively, professionally, or personally.

Growth doesn’t always look like finishing a script or shooting a...

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Maurice Vaughan 5

Hey, Ashley Renee Smith. That's great that you've been challenging yourself to learn those things! Congratulations! I'm challenging myself to outline my first adult animated script (a short) this week...

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Tania Ocasio

For me I’m watching classics from the 80s as part of the process also talking to different age groups to see what they like to watch on tv or screen.Ashley Renee Smith plus learning from all the webin...

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Candice Clasby

Thanks Ashley, after years teaching the thing, I've jumped back in as a student taking a screenwriting class to force me to work on at least one of the ideas rattling around in my brain. Currently working the 8 Sequence.

Susan Kelejian

sickening

Mathew Tretola

Boooooo

Mike Boas

It’s all marketing hype until someone makes something compelling to watch.

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

Surprising they got Deadline to print their press release.

Liked by Liger Bashiir and 2 others

Sam Rivera
Amazon Orders Another YA Series!

Hey all! I just saw Amazon just ordered a new YA thriller series, The Lying Game! Shows for young adults are huge on streaming right now, and it looks like Prime is doubling down on their YA content. Considering that The Summer I Turned Pretty series has ended and the movie sequel will drop well int...

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'The Lying Game': YA Series Based On Ruth Ware Book In Works At Amazon From Suzanne Heathcote, Ted Gold & Susan Rovner
'The Lying Game': YA Series Based On Ruth Ware Book In Works At Amazon From Suzanne Heathcote, Ted Gold & Susan Rovner
Amazon MGM Studios is developing 'The Lying Game,' a YA series based on Ruth Ware's novel with writer Suzanne Heathcote & EPs Ted Gold & Susan Rovner.
Rich Terdoslavich
Working With Film Directors

When working on films, the film directors and I keep communication lines open, whether it could be FaceTime meetings, texts, phone calls or emails. Such was the case working with filmmaker Barbara Davis on her film, MEDUSA JONES. I was hired to illustrate storyboards and concept art for the film and...

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Maurice Vaughan 5

Great tips, Rich Terdoslavich! I always keep a director in the loop. I get their approval on the outline, keep them updated on the script, ask questions about the project if they come up while I'm wri...

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Rich Terdoslavich

Thanks, Maurice! Sounds great. I agree. It ‘s good to keep communication lines open when working on a project with a film director. I show them, by email, stages of the jobs from layouts to pencils to finished work.

Rich Terdoslavich

Thank you, everyone.

Maurice Vaughan 5

You're welcome, Rich Terdoslavich. You're right. It's good to keep communication lines open when working on a project with a film director. One reason is something about the project might change....

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Phil Savage
Who makes the final decisions...

If the writer owns the IP and hires the director, who makes the final decisions? A simple question but very complicated to answer. Of course everything should be agreed upon in contracts so there is no misunderstanding after the fact.

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

Phil Savage What final decisions are you talking about? On budget? On production design, etc?

Ashley Renee Smith

Great question, Phil Savage, and you’re right, it’s simple on the surface but gets complicated quickly. Ultimately, it comes down to two things: ownership and contracts. If the writer owns the IP and...

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Phil Savage

Ashley Renee Smith Thank you so much Ashley for taking the time to explain all of that to me, I really appreciate it.

Willem Elzenga 2

projects are often either director or producer driven. when the director just works for hire, its producer driven. when director holds a majority of shares in the project and has f.e final cut, its director driven. no specific contracts are needed for that.

Tucker Teague
Henry Jaglom (1938-2025) Rest in Peace

I recently read that filmmaker Henry Jaglom passed away. He was one of the more unique directors I've ever come across. In the late 80's and through the 90's I saw several of his films and I loved them. They are unlike most anything I've seen. He was a true auteur. He did his own thing in his own wa...

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Henry Jaglom's 22 Films Represent One of the Great Bodies of Work in American Independent Cinema
Henry Jaglom's 22 Films Represent One of the Great Bodies of Work in American Independent Cinema
Henry Jaglom left behind 22 films of fierce independence when he died at the age of 87. 'Hollywood Dreams' represents the pinnacle of his style
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