Want to find success in the film industry? Be a professional!

“I’m the guy that does his job. You must be the other guy.” — Mark Wahlberg playing Dignam is The Departed.

When I told Rosalind Winton that I wanted to write another blog here on Stage 32, there was one topic I had been looking to address for a while, but also one that is quite timely in light of what’s going on in the entertainment business: Professionalism.

It’s the reason I led with Mr. Wahlberg’s quote from the Oscar-Winning Best Picture, The Departed. I’ve always related with it.

Perhaps it’s just The Professional in me.

Part of being professional is certainly knowing how to brand yourself correctly. Still, let me take it one step at a time.

One of the great things about Stage32, is that it is filmmakers helping filmmakers. And that is a wonderful forum. It has the social aspects of Facebook with many more professional implications. There are job boards, where both paid — and unpaid — jobs are listed. There is advice from other filmmakers, writers, art directors … you name it.

And, I’ve already met several wonderful friends here on Stage 32.

Let’s start with Sara Dahmen. Sara flew in from Wisconsin on a week’s notice to attend my friend Daniel Roebuck’s New York Sneak peek of his…