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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

James Kicklighter Shot List Oct '25 Lab
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?


Muzamil Ali Jaffri
Aaron Lumley
Slow Movies

Slow Movies

As an older grumpier man about town, I'm always on the lookout for great scripts and films that SLOW DOWN the world outside. Peaceful movies, movies that calm the soul and ease the brain...

My three would be:

1) The Tree of Life

2) Spirited Away

3) Anything by Paolo Sorrentino

Anyone got...

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Liked by Ilay Yılmaz and one other

Yusuf Onilude
Ai film making

Who else is thinking about using AI to make an entire film

Patrik Gyltefors

Personally, I would enjoy reading a screenplay as-is, and imagine the scenes in my mind, far more than watching an A.I. rendition. Also, if you do want to make a film, there is no lack of talent here on Stage 32 to make it possible.

Ilay Yılmaz

Yusuf Onilude“If you don’t put the right greens at the bottom of the pot, the dish might taste a bit mixed. It’s the same with creativity — before we start cooking, we need to be clear about what we’r...

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Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

It's been done already, at least twice, to no acclaim whatsoever. Anyone who thinks that AI generated content is commercially acceptable should do a deep dive into the term "AI Slop" across social med...

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Brandon Keeton

I would not use it for an entire feature yet. To help accentuate a scene or shot, certainly, with proper training and time on it. I think in it's current form, I'd hold off a bit.

Richard Eckley

I use it for book promotion videos on my publications, its definitely improving and is something I'm looking into

Eon C. Rambally
"CGI" meets "AI"

We know undeniably AI is now a prominent subject,

Q; What happens when AI meets CGI?

 and even more important..

Q; When both mentioned factions meets Actors and more. In other words,

“to approach the inevitable”?…

Q; How prepared then and “anticipated” are you?

I present to you: How do you filmmakers...

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Liked by Wyman Brent and 4 others

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

Wyman Brent

I come at it as someone who has written more than 400 songs. I would love to know how to get my songs out to the right ears.

Liked by Maurice Vaughan 5

James Woodland
Should Crew Talk To Actors On Set?

In some situations true but in other situations not true. Crewmember should never iniate conversation with actors. On set while filming only the people the actors need to talk to (i.e the Director, make up/wardrobe etc.) should talk to them. Everyone else does their job. Off set the actor should ini...

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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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Mone't Weeks

I'm submitting to OWA. I'm also taking all of my queries and synopsis to punch them up and make them sizzle, for my series bible for each show. I'm also submitting to writing gigs. In between time, I'...

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Geoffroy Faugerolas 2

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

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

This week I've already made some pretty big strides in my day job, namely signed up to get certified for a new skill. I'm also slated to help out for a major event, also day-job related, this weekend. There's a third thing, too, but nonetheless I'm going through a hell of a character arc lol

Erik Gagnon

After years of writing features, I'm exploring the 9-act structure of the MOW world. Watching Hallmark Christmas movies this weekend for inspiration. A big bowl of popcorn will help.

Ilay Yılmaz

Ashley Renee Smith“Such a wonderful post, Ashley. I really admire the effort and heart you put into nurturing this community. It’s inspiring to see how you encourage genuine reflection and creative growth every week. Thank you for everything you do — it truly makes a difference.”

Jackie Tarascio
Script to Screen comparison - Hidden Figures

I love these comparison videos. I like to study how a scene is broken up into shots, what is added beyond the page, who's narrative POV we follow, camera choices, pace, tone of speech and pauses... emotional shifts.

https://youtu.be/I78MOuEMqZo...

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Maurice Vaughan 5

I love these comparison videos too, Jackie Tarascio. I study them as a screenwriter. I think they're great for screenwriters, directors, actors, and others in the industry!...

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Husin Alkhatib

This is one of the greatest scenes ever produced in cinema on every level — the actors, the reactions, the moments of silence masterfully distributed by the director — everything about this scene is iconic.

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.

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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Darshan Jaju

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

Pat Alexander
The Horror of HIM with Director Justin Tipping

Director Justin Tipping to unpack HIM, Monkeypaw’s latest horror film, offering a chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry, and the pursuit of excellence at any cost. Justin reveals how he infused the script with his distinctive vision, crafting a cinematic language that will pull a...

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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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