Introduce Yourself : Intro - Misael Sine by Misael Sine

Intro - Misael Sine

Hello Stage 32!

My name is Misael Sine, and I am a Finnish-Indonesian film director. I am currently figuring out how to make my first feature film.

In Finland, this process can be especially challenging, particularly for someone without a film school background. Film school was my plan A. In 2019, during my third attempt, one of the interviewers encouraged me to just start making films. But young, insecure Misael didn’t listen. I applied twice more, desperate for their approval, but I still couldn’t get in. Then, in 2022, in Redding, California, a spark of confidence struck me like a thunderbolt, and for the first time in my life, I believed I would become a film director and make movies—even without film school. There had to be another way.

So, I started taking the steps—writing scripts in my free time and applying for every fund I could find. A few years passed while I focused mainly on commercials and music videos, but eventually, it was time to go all in. Still without traditional funding, I had to find another way. That led my friend Janne Amunét and me to start a company. We spent our first year doing commercial work while developing scripts and concepts, then invested everything we had into a film idea we both believed in. With Janne’s lead, we wrote the script together with Tuuti Piippo in a month, made countless calls to get people on board, and began planning the shoot.

Inspired by Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash approach—creating a short film as proof-of-concept, which then led to funding for the feature—we decided to follow a similar path. Our feature-length idea, Sanctuary, wasn’t financially feasible, so we created a short film that stands alone but also serves as a proof-of-concept for our first feature. The short film, Sleep While I Drive, is a shortened and modified version of ACT 1 of the complete script.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible crew and cast who volunteered their time and talent and believed in the story. So many talented people helped us. And now, it’s finally finished. It would be really nice to hear some feedback on it and what feeling it ignites.

Here is the link for the trailer:

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1065818586?share=copy

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LztKGg2iDlI

I'm also open to connecting with people who share the same passion for film, are on the same journey, or can help me move forward :)

Maurice Vaughan

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5 people like this
2 months ago

Hi, Misael Sine. Great to meet you. Welcome to the community. Here's a blog that'll help you navigate Stage 32 and make connections: www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

Congratulations on starting a production company, Misael and Janne! Congratulations on starting the journey to be a director, Misael! The proof-of-concept looks fantastic! It's gripping and shot really well!

You said you're figuring out how to make your first feature. Stage 32 has a Filmmaking/Directing Lounge (www.stage32.com/lounge/directing). You could make a post asking for advice and insight on making a feature film.

Stephen Folker

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6 people like this
2 months ago

As a fellow filmmaker - I'd suggest you just make your passion project with or without a budget. Investors come from relationships and relationships come from putting in your hard work and due diligence. There is no easy-path to find funding. By the way, your short looks good. But could you do the same and make a feature with volunteers? People do copy-credit all the time for the opportunity. Best wishes either way.

Jordan Smith

Welcome Misael Sine

Thank you for sharing your story! I love the visuals, the moody tone and the negative fill/ backlighting. I am excited to follow your journey!

Ashley Renee Smith

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4 people like this
2 months ago

Misael Sine, your perseverance in the face of rejection and your decision to carve out your own path outside of film school is such a powerful reminder that there is no one “right way” into this industry. What you and Janne have built together with Sleep While I Drive is not only resourceful but emotionally resonant. This kind of proof-of-concept strategy shows such vision and grit.

I’d love to encourage you to share more about your process and journey in the Filmmaking Lounge. You’ve already learned so much that could be helpful to others navigating the same early stages, and I think a lot of folks here would find your approach both motivating and valuable. You can find the lounge here: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing

You should invite Janne and the incredible crew and cast you love collaborating with to join you here on Stage 32 so they can keep learning and growing alongside you. It’ll help you all level up your next projects and expand your networks. You can invite them through our new system here: https://www.stage32.com/invite.

Also, if you haven’t already, I’d recommend reaching out to our Success Team at Success@Stage32.com. Let them know about Sanctuary and your goals and they can suggest resources and executives here on Stage 32 to help you continue moving forward on your journey.

Misael Sine

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3 people like this
2 months ago

Hi Maurice Vaughan, great to meet you too! Thanks for the warm welcome and the helpful links—I’ll definitely check them out. I really appreciate your kind words about the proof-of-concept! Looking forward to engaging with the community. Best, Misael

Thanks, Stephen Folker! I really appreciate the advice and encouragement. You're absolutely right—relationships and hard work are key. Making a feature with volunteers is an interesting idea, definitely something to consider. Thanks again for the kind words about the short! Wishing you the best as well.

Thanks so much, Jordan Smith! I really appreciate your kind words. Glad you liked the visuals and mood—we put a lot of thought into them! Excited to share more along the journey :)

Ashley Renee Smith really appreciate that, thanks so much! It’s been a wild ride figuring things out outside of film school, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Huge shoutout to Janne and the team—we’re all in this together. I’ll definitely check out the Filmmaking Lounge and those other resources, sounds super helpful. Thanks again for the support!

You're welcome, Misael Sine. Keep us posted on your feature film. I'm looking forward to seeing it!

Oh, and you could post your proof-of-concept on your profile, Misael Sine. That way, more people can see it. You can add your POC by moving your mouse over "Profile" on the bar near the top of Stage 32's homepage and click "Video/Audio." You can also post your POC to your profile by moving your mouse over "Browse" on the same bar and clicking "Video."