We Are Privileged.

The professional film industry is tough. It has very long hours, peculiar demands, and is notoriously hard on relationships. Anyone who spends more than a day or two in actual film production learns very quickly that the industry is, or is not, for them.

 Yet those of us who work in film, feel tremendously privileged. We get to do something we love - that is a rare enough thing in life. But beyond that, particularly in the roles of producers and directors, there's a unique privilege that affects our professional and private lives. It's not about the glitz and glamour portrayed on screen, but rather the unparalleled access we gain to an extraordinary caliber of human talent.

 We are granted the rare opportunity to collaborate, on a daily basis, with some of the most accomplished artists, gifted acting talent, and visionary craftspeople on the planet. From the meticulous eye of an award-winning cinematographer to the nuanced performance of a celebrated actor, our work brings us into direct contact with individuals who have dedicated their lives to mastering their respective crafts. Many of these people are celebrities and followed by audiences the world over. Many more are highly skilled artists who are known only within their field. All are rare and accomplished people.

 We get to know these people as individuals. Our proximity and working relationship with them penetrates the barrier of carefully curated public personas. We get to witness, and to participate in, their dedication, their vulnerabilities, their moments of triumph, and their creative struggles. This unfiltered access is a profound advantage, offering a perspective that the vast majority of the world is simply denied. These are individuals who are, by the nature of their fame and unique talents, often separated from the general public, yet we have a privileged gateway to their world. More than that, we are their colleagues, and they are ours.

 Over the years, I have had the honor to work directly with many: Robert Beltran, Sally Kirkland, Trina Parks, Steven Spielberg, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jacqueline Bisset, Sarah Paulson, Jonathan Frakes, Don Johnson, Michael Mann, James Woods, Steve Buscemi, and many, many more… Some of these people have become friends. Most were brief working relationships. All were inspiring, and every one of these people showed in more ways than one, that they deserved to be at the place they were in the industry. They are all accomplished - no one can argue with that. But they are also giving, intelligent people who not only care about their work, but about their co-workers. Almost no one else on the planet gets to be in the presence of dedicated artists at this scale. We not only get to meet them, we get to create with them. This is amazing.

 Some IPG members work more often with these people than I have been able to do, and have worked with many more than I have. When I speak with them, they express the same sentiments as I do.

 As you progress in your film career, pay attention when you get on set, to who you are working with, and be sure to take advantage of the moment. Absorb their energy. Observe their methods. Most of all, be aware that what you do, also affects them and their work. Be aware that you are a an active participant with them in the filmmaking process. We are, as I said, colleagues. The world of filmmaking has many “community” moments, many times when you feel a fellowship with others. For me, working with the unique and influential talents, creating with them, tops the list.

FRAUD ALERT!

BE AWARE that someone is impersonating noted film producer Peter Loehr, and approaching writers through sites like Stage32.com with fake offers to produce their scripts. This person is aggressive, solicits a script, sends out generic but complementary “assessment” which says the script aligns with what they are seeking to produce - but without referring to anything in the script at all. This is followed by a contract requiring the writer to pay a sum of money (commonly $1800 or more) immediately so that the team can get onto the task of developing and producing the film. It may seem obvious to seasoned producers, but to hopeful writers, it is a dream come true. Peter Loerh and his company no longer appear to be doing film production, though he apparently remains active in Hong Kong and mainland China. Neither he nor the company he used to run, IMAR Flims are active in independent film in the US.

Remember: A legitimate producer does not ask for money for a script he or she wants to produce. The opposite is true: a producer who wants to produce your script will offer you payment for the right to develop the story, for a limited time. If you are producing your show yourself, it is legitimate for you to hire and pay for specific services you cannot do yourself. But it is never legitimate when someone charges you to do their own job - especially when they do not seem to be concerned about who owns copyright, etc.

If you want a professional opinion on a situation you are uncertain about - reach out to IPG leadership of other IPG members. We’re all here to help.

IPG Updates!

Upcoming - interviews with IPG members, beginning with AD Xochi Blymyer!

Upcoming - more spotlights on IPG Member’s projects.

Congratulations - to IPG member Patricia Semler on the completion of production on her award-winning screenplan Exit Interview. See this interesting, well produced and well acted (and well written!) short here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgVrHH74sdJHfDZiNBSPla1jEyQ-jGHDM&si=2omJwBQPutTdOEJq

FilmPod - the project have successfully passed the quarter-final stage at Pepperdine’s 2025 Most Fundable Startup Competition. We are now being adjudicated, and will learn whether we are in the semi-finals sometime towards the end of June. However, we are moving forward at light speed now. The “competition” is a nice profile-boosting bonus. We are launching business in July. There are lots of spots for film titles, and lots of places on our team for people who want to be in the money side of film… Interested, contact Shadow Dragu-Mihai.

IPG Services - once again I remind IPG members to contact me if they want to be available to mentor other filmmakers or writers, or if they would like to be listed as taking freelance assignments as consultants, production manages, directors, writers, etc.

SSI - we have brought on a dedicated grant writer, Cleautrice Smith, who is working on PUNC, VT and various other projects under the Stage And Screen Innovations umbrella. SSI is actively looking for film productions who will take on our trainees - and we supplement or provide their salaries. It is a vital aspect of the PUNC program, and one which makes it unique! Contact us on this through stagescreen.org if you want to learn what that entails.

When you need to hire crew, production manager, or production services - hire IPG!