Stage 32, a free social media and education networking site which links film, television and theatre creatives from around the world, is increasingly popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Australians are consistently among the top 5 active entertainment communities on the Los Angeles-based site, according to spokeswoman Tracey La Monica.
Launched by screenwriter, producer and former magazine publisher Richard Botto in February 2012, Stage 32 has members in more than 186 countries and is used by more than 200,000 professionals each day.
The Stage 32 Lounge enables member to pitch online and to interact and there are job postings, blogs and webinars taught by industry veterans. The organisers say thousands of people have found work, launched projects and made career changing connections on the site, and dozens of writers have been signed or are in development as a result of the pitching sessions.
Among the special members and guest bloggers have been Terence Stamp, Brad Carpenter (Boardwalk Empire co-producer), Orange is the New Black actress Alysia Reiner, Doug Richardson (screenwriter of Hostage and Bad Boys 2), Danny Rubin (Groundhog Dog screenwriter) and Judi Levine, producer of Ben Lewin's movie The Sessions.
Stage 32 member Nate Smith, a screenwriter, producer, director, and editor from Perth, has had the opportunity to meet and work with professionals in Hollywood.
Pierre Langenegger, a story analyst, script consultant, and screenwriter from Melbourne, said he has been approached to assist with script reviews and story structure from fellow writers in Australia and the US.
Kiwi Lyse Beck, a visual graphics artist on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Avatar, Iron Man 3 and Man of Steel, said the site has helped her to transition to being a screenwriter and she has a script in development with Night and Day Pictures, whom she met through a Stage 32 online pitch fest.
Wellington-based Guy McDouall also participated in a pitch fest, which led to him signing with literary manager Lee Stobby from Jewerl Keats Ross’ Silent R Management in Los Angeles.
After using the job posting listings Sydney-based actress Nicole J. Murray was invited to audition for a SAG –approved film in New York.