Richard “RB” Botto is changing the way the entertainment industry operates. A forerunner in his field, Richard saw first-hand the obstacles facing fresh talent in the entertainment industry and decided to create the solution himself. He pulled his resources, created a vast network of talent, and in 2011 Stage 32 was born.
Stage 32 serves as a global social networking and education platform for the entertainment industry connecting over 750,000 members worldwide. But it’s more than just social networking and education; it’s revolutionizing the way this industry has operated for decades. Stage 32 boasts networking tools and an extensive library of resources for those in the entertainment industry.
“I recognized the doors were going to swing open for creatives and professionals all over the globe, and that’s exactly what happened,” Botto said. “I believed there needed to be a platform that democratized the industry by connecting content creators with executives, production companies, studios and streamers effectively creating a robust marketplace between the two parties.
Stage 32 does this for its content creators by connecting, training and providing access beyond the gatekeepers. For our executives and pros, they are getting a first look at curated content creating a winning situation for all. With the sheer amount of content being produced today, more and more financiers, production companies, networks and streamers are turning to Stage 32 to discover new voices and material.
RB and his team at Stage 32 have been faithful to their promise and continually provide the tools everyone in this growing industry needs for success. Stage 32 boasts the largest library of its kind in the world, with over 1,500 hours of on-demand film, television, and digital education.
Its main strength? Connecting talent across the globe, regardless of location or existing industry connections, and providing that talent with the pertinent information and education plus access to industry experts necessary to shorten their path to success. Stage 32 is an entertainment industry networking tool like none other, helping with peer-to-peer collaborations, professional mentoring, script reviews, online writers’ rooms, and more.
It’s changing the game, ensuring more than just a select few hold the keys for success, creating an equal playing field for everyone. Executives at streaming companies such as HBO Max, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Netflix are working with Stage 32 to find undiscovered talent that is not from the traditional studio or agency system, offering once-in-a-lifetime opportunities on a daily basis.
RB is intimately aware of the challenges surrounding actors and other creatives, having faced them himself throughout his career. He started his own career as an actor in New York, and then shifted into screenwriting and producing upon moving to Los Angeles.
His successes in screenwriting and producing include the Sundance award-winning feature, “Another Happy Day,” starring Ellen Barkin, Demi Moore and Kate Bosworth, written and directed by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson; road trip thriller “What Lies Ahead,” starring Rumer Willis & Emma Dumont; documentary “Crutch” and the upcoming “Rain-Beau’s End” starring Ed Asner and Sean Young, among others.
For the past decade, RB has focused his efforts on Stage 32 and creating opportunities for its members. He’s overseen numerous successes in connecting creatives with industry titans. Some notable recent projects to be incubated through Stage 32 include “Chick Fight,” starring Malin Akerman and Alec Baldwin, Kevin Connolly and Bella Thorne, produced by Yale Productions and Ramo Law; and “10-31,” produced by Eli Roth and Orion Pictures.
In addition, thousands of writers, filmmakers and other talent have found representation or other notable connections through Stage 32. A recent example of this is Zach Tirone, a screenwriter based in New York, who after sharing his logline on Stage 32 signed with top veteran Literary Manager Andrew Wilson at Wonder Street, who also produces the Octavia Spencer series “SELF MADE” on Netflix. These kinds of successes happen daily on the platform.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when festivals worldwide were being canceled, RB and his team at Stage 32 saw a massive opportunity and took it. Ahead of the curve with the robust digital platform already in place, they launched Stage 32 Screenings.
Filmmakers who lost the chance to showcase their films for festival attendees were invited to screen their projects privately to Stage 32’s extensive network of thousands of industry professionals. The connections made by Stage 32 Screenings were invaluable, especially in light of the current economic climate. The move was praised industry-wide and led to certain filmmakers and producers finding distribution for their projects.
RB’s work with Stage 32 is just beginning, but it’s already having a ripple effect on the industry worldwide.
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