Ashley Renee Smith's Reel

This business runs on relationships. Want to break in and stay in? Let’s take away the anxiety and fear. There are no shortcuts in entertainment. But there are two proven paths to success: 1. Show up and build relationships—every single day—by offering real value to others. 2. Invest in yourself by staying informed and staying ready.

Every writer hits moments where the words won’t come. But what you do next is what separates working writers from hobbyists. As Stage 32 CEO RB Botto says in this video: “I don’t really believe in writer’s block. What I believe is that the stress of the creative process allows you to paint yourself into a corner.” It’s not about being out of ideas — it’s about being creatively exhausted, burned out, or so deep in your head that you’ve lost perspective. One of the simplest...

If you’re serious about working in film or television—on any level—you need to be reading the trades every single day. That means Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter at minimum. But there's also IndieWire and The Wrap! These outlets are where the industry announces what’s being made, who’s being hired, what trends are rising, where the money is moving, and how the business is evolving. You can’t position yourself or your project in a meaningful way without knowing the...

It's not too late to join in on this week's July Filmmakers Club challenges to be eligible to win 1 of 3 DaVinci Resolve Licenses that we're giving away in partnership with Blackmagic Design on Friday, July 26th at 12:00 pm PT! Join in on the challenges outlined in this blog >> ...