Dreaming of Hollywood? Stage 32 might just be your launchpad. It is not a physical stage but a U.S.-based social network. It is also an educational site for creative professionals. They work in film, television, and theater.
Stage 32 links directors and writers. Actors and entertainment staff also use it. It caters to film industry professionals. Featured bloggers share their insights. Industry executives teach online courses. You can find news from Hollywood and filming locations. Stage 32 has a meetups page, an online lounge, and a jobs page. Members connect on film ventures. It offers standard social media functions too.
Richard Botto, the CEO and founder, is an Orson Welles fan. He named Stage 32 after RKO Soundstage 17. Citizen Kane was filmed there. That sound stage is now Paramount’s Stage 32. Botto wanted to connect and educate people. He also aimed to increase success for film and television creatives. Location should not matter. As of 2013, the website was only available in English.
Three months after its launch, Stage 32 had 50,000 members by April 2012. In January 2013, the company launched its app. It was available on iTunes for iPhone and Google Play for Android. By August 2013, the site had 150,000 members. They announced their 2nd phase of development. It included Creativefest and Next Level Webinars.
Stage 32 acquired The Happy Writers in April 2014. It became The Stage 32 Happy Writers. By May 2014, the website had over 325,000 members. They partnered with The Blood List. It was for the Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest. The top 3 screenplays were featured on The Blood List’s “New Blood” section. The winner met with Richard Potter of Relativity Media in LA. Glenn Forbes, the winner, signed with Infinity Management Group. Frank Ponce, the 2nd-place winner, signed with Atlas Entertainment.
Forbes called Stage 32 “Lynda.com Meets LinkedIn For Film, Television And Theater Creatives” in July 2014.
Stage 32 and the Producers Guild of America Women’s Impact Network launched an event in April 2015. It focused on education and pitching for female-centric scripts. In June 2015, Stage 32 was at the Cannes Film Festival Marche du Film. They were recognized as a leader in entertainment and tech convergence. Richard Botto spoke about social media and crowdsourcing for filmmakers. Over 200 Stage 32 members from 20 countries attended.
Netflix and Stage 32 teamed up in December 2021. They created workshops for the Creating Content for the Global Marketplace program.
While English-based, Stage 32 projects have found international success. Mark Jacobs, a writer and director from California, hired Massimo Restaino Max, a UK composer, via Stage 32. He scored his film, Mission Angels. Lyse Beck, a visual graphics artist from New Zealand, got a script into development with Night and Day Pictures. Guy McDouall from Australia signed with literary manager Lee Stobby. These connections were made through Stage 32 Happy Writers online pitchfests.
Craig Walendziak landed a writing assignment via Stage 32 in February 2015. He co-wrote A Dying Art with Matthew McCarty for producer David Harris and director David Moscow. In June 2015, nineteen Stage 32 members had films at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Stage 32 site has a “jobs” section. It shares open positions in film, television, or theater. “Next Level Education” hosts webinars, online classes, and labs. There is an online lounge for discussions. Stage 32 has a meetups section for offline gatherings. The “Stage 32 Happy Writers” section offers screenwriting services. This includes one-on-one online pitch sessions.
The Stage 32 Blog features contributors from film students to Academy Award nominees. Terence Stamp, Danny Rubin, Alysia Reiner, and Doug Richardson have contributed. Thomas Curley, an Oscar winner, is also a contributor.
Stage 32 connects, educates, and creates opportunities. It’s a global network. It helps creative professionals succeed in the entertainment industry.