3rd Annual Action/Thriller Screenwriting Contest

THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE WINNER

There's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush you get from watching an action or thriller story. Blockbuster franchise movies like TOP GUN: MAVERICK and FAST X explode at the box office while tense binge-worthy shows like YELLOWJACKETS and YOU keep us on the edge of our seats. Hollywood is always searching for the next big thrilling story -- and we want it to be YOURS!

We are on the hunt for ALL types of Action and Thriller scripts - all stories are welcome! We are looking for:

> Feature film scripts like: BULLET TRAIN, GREY MAN, TOP GUN: MAVERICK, EMILY THE CRIMINAL, THE OUTFIT, THE NORTHMAN, VIOLENT NIGHT, AMBULANCE, PANAMA, THE COVENANT

> Television scripts like: YELLOWJACKETS, THE TERMINAL LIST, THE WITCHER, THE MANDALORIAN,YOU, THE RECRUIT, THE LAZARUS PROJECT

But that's not all, we want to see all new, unique and fresh ideas that we haven't seen before! 

For the last 12 years, Stage 32 Contests have led to dozens of success stories including writers getting representation, sold, optioned, staffed, given writing assignments and getting produced. No other contest opens more doors and we want to do the same for you.

If you have an Action/Thriller story that needs to be told, now is the time to show us what you've got, because our goal is to amplify your voice, give you the access Stage 32 is known for, and take your writing career to the next level!

Script Coverage & Resubmission Options

Would you like immediate feedback on your submission and the option to make changes and resubmit? Using our NEW Feedback & Resubmission Option you will get 3-5 pages of coverage/notes back in 5-days with a guaranteed option to resubmit one (1) revised draft of your script up to 10 days after the Final Deadline! See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. You can position yourself for the best chance of success - all for an additional fee of only $99. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.

This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. See full terms in the Rules Section. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is October 7th, 2023.

Feedback Option

We offer discounted coverage for $49.00. With this option, you will receive 1-2 pages of coverage/notes after the Quarterfinalist Announcement on December 8th, 2023. See full terms in the Rules Section.

Resubmission Option

We offer the option to resubmit a new draft of your script later in the contest for $39.00. You only have until 5 days after the Final Deadline to submit a new draft. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is October 2nd, 2023. You cannot submit a new draft after the reading process has commenced or after any announcements have been made.

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:

Congratulations to our Winner!

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Semifinalists!

Congratulations to our Quarterfinalists!

The Prizes

Our Grand Prize winner will:

• Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with:
  • David Chien, Manager, Art/Work Entertainment (client credits include BIRD BOX, THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN)
    
  • Julia Verdin, Producer & Manager, Rough Diamond Productions & Management (client credits include NARCOS, THE AMERICANS)
    
  • Thomas Pemberton, Development Executive, Mind's Eye Entertainment (DANGEROUS, THE RECALL)
    
  • Val McLeroy, Literary Manager, Epigram (client credits include REACHER, NCIS)
    
  • Scott Schulman, Literary Manager, Schulman Management (client credits include THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, FBI: MOST WANTED)
    
  • Mike Griffin, Manager/Producer, MAKE GOOD Content (CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, KEANU)
    
  • Sam Newman, Creative Executive, Semi-Formal Productions (company credits include THE DROPOUT, EYES OF TAMMY FAYE)
    
  • David Tilson, Development Executive, NV Films (MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY)
• Work with Stage 32 to develop your winning script’s pitch deck for the market
• Have your professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers who have a First Look deal with Stage 32 and are actively looking for new clients and material after the strike is over.
• Receive a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, a private, virtual community of writers from around the world the meet and learn from industry professionals like Meg LeFauve (INSIDE OUT, CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Aimee Riviera, VP of Motion Picture Production at Skydance Media (TOP GUN: MAVERICK), Tripper Clancy (STUBER) and managers & agents from WME, CAA, Gersh, Circle of Confusion, Zero Gravity & more!
• Free access to Stage 32’s educational webinar library, which includes over 3,000 hours of content featuring top industry professionals
• Continued support from the Stage 32 team to help move your career forward and get you in front of decision makers!

In addition to these meetings, the winner will also receive access to Stage 32’s Educational resources, be promoted on Stage 32’s social media, and have their professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers hand picked by Stage 32 who are actively looking for new clients and material. Stage 32 will facilitate introductory meetings to any of the representatives who respond to your material and bio. This is the type of exposure that will change your career forever!

If you reach the Finals, you still get massive exposure to decision makers!

ALL FINALISTS will receive a FREE MONTH OF THE MEMBER'S ONLY STAGE 32 WRITERS' ROOM, an exclusive community of writers who gather online for inspiring and educational webcasts from top industry pros, and will be in a Stage 32 Lookbook which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Lookbooks are some of the most sought after talent resources for the industry and have helped secure meetings with places like Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, APA, Echo Lake, Amazon, UTA, CAA, WME, First Friday, Pathfinder, The Cartel, Art/Work and many, many more.

Stage 32 will be a champion for your script - once you’re part of our community, we make sure you rise to the top!

Our Action/Thriller Screenwriting Winners See Results

Stage 32 has launched the careers of hundreds of writers over the last 12 years. Stage 32 has quickly emerged as the leading source for industry executives to uncover new talent! Is this your year to move the needle on your career?

• Last year's Winner, Stephen Czerwinski, is set to meet with 8 industry pros, including producers of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, a manager at LIT ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, and more!

Stephen: "I was thrilled to win Stage 32's Action/Thriller Screenwriting Competition! The Stage 32 team has been essential while preparing me for the meetings and connections I'll make as a winner. In the meantime, I've been utilizing the Writers Room lounge and the catalogue of learning resources available to me so that I can continue honing my craft. I'm so grateful to the judges and Stage 32 for seeing value in my voice and championing my writing."

Still don't believe us? Let 1st Annual Action/Thriller winner Gregg Guest tell you why you should enter!

• Our first annual Winner, Gregg Guest, booked his first big screenwriting gig through Stage 32 after winning the contest!
  
• Want to see some of our hundreds of success stories, click here!

Some highlights from Stage 32 contest winners and finalists include:

• Eric Jeske - was signed by literary managers Krista Sipp and Devon Byers of First Friday Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Greg Mania - was signed by Laina Cohn and Jon Taub of Cohn/Torgan Management after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Christina Pamies - was signed by prolific spec script selling manager Jake Wagner of Alibi Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32! She was hired to write the horror Thriller BAGHEAD for StudioCanal (see the announcement on Deadline here)!
• Christine Torres - signed with prolific manager and producer Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• See dozens of success stories below under "Our Track Record"

Judge’s Credits and Company/Client Credits Include:

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: July 13th, 2023

Early Bird Deadline: August 9th, 2023

Regular Deadline: September 6th, 2023

Final Deadline: September 27th, 2023

Quarterfinalist Announcement: December 8th, 2023

Semifinalist Announcement: December 22nd, 2023

Finalist Announcement: January 5th, 2024

Winner Announcement: January 19th, 2024

Submission Options

Feedback & Resubmission Option

Would you like immediate feedback on your submission and the option to make changes and resubmit? Using our NEW Feedback & Resubmission Option you will get 3-5 pages of coverage/notes back in 5-days with a guaranteed option to resubmit one (1) revised draft of your script up to 10 days after the Final Deadline! See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. You can position yourself for the best chance of success - all for an additional fee of only $99. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.

This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. See full terms in the Rules Section. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is October 7th, 2023.

Feedback Option

We offer discounted coverage for $49.00. With this option, you will receive 1-2 pages of coverage/notes after the Quarterfinalist Announcement on December 8th, 2023. See full terms in the Rules Section.

Resubmission Option

We offer the option to resubmit a new draft of your script later in the contest for $39.00. You only have until 5 days after the Final Deadline to submit a new draft. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is October 2nd, 2023. You cannot submit a new draft after the reading process has commenced or after any announcements have been made.

If you have any questions regarding this contest, check out frequently asked questions here.

David Chien (Judge) - Manager, ArtWork Entertainment

David Chien is a Literary and Talent Manager at Art/Work Entertainment where he works with incredible talents across the world. Art/Work is a management company headed by Cindy Ambers and Julie Bloom. Art/Work merged with Verve in 2010 and represents writers and actors throughout the industry, including Damon Herriman who stars in the Sundance films THE NIGHTINGALE and JUDY AND THE PUNCH, and Tarantino's recently released ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD.

Some of their clients include Eric Heisserer, best known for his Oscar-nominated adapted screenplay for ARRIVAL, BIRD BOX and LIGHTS OUT, and THE THING; Tricia O'Kelley, writer on the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated "The New Adventures of Old Christine"; Erin Cressida Wilson, writer of GIRL ON A TRAIN and writer/producer of HBO's "Vinyl"; Speed Weed, writer/producer of "Arrow", "Political Animals", and "Law & Order: SVU"; veteran writer Jeff Reno, who's worked on classics films and televisions like "Moonlighting", MEET JOE BLACK, "Night Court", and "The West Wing", along with recent work on "Beauty and the Beast"; nascent "The Magicians" writer Christina Strain; producer/writer John Quaintance, whose work includes "Will & Grace", "Workaholics", "Joey", and AQUAMARINE; and writer/actress Julia Ling from "Chuck" and "Tactical Girl".

David started in the industry with management companies Hopscotch Pictures, whose clients have worked on MOANA, "Social Animals", "Greek" and more; David Shapira & Associates, whose client work includes "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Longmire"; and ROAR, whose clients have worked on "Battlestar Galactica" and THE LAST WITCH HUNTER among others. David is an immigrant from Taiwan and holds the Bachelor of Science in Management Science from the University of California, San Diego.

Julia Verdin (Judge) - Producer & Manager, Rough Diamond Productions & Management

Julia Verdin is the Founder and President of Rough Diamond Productions & Management and is one of the leading independent producers and managers in the industry.

As a producer, Rough Diamond has packaged, produced and obtained financing for over 30 critically-acclaimed projects $10M and under such as THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, STANDER, THE UNWILLING, THE LEAST AMONG YOU, TEMPTATION and 2 JACKS.

As a manager, Rough Diamond represents clients on critically acclaimed projects such as Netflix's Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Narcos, Emmy and Golden Globe winning The Americans, Emmy nominated Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Teen Choice Award winning Pretty Little Liars. They enjoy discovering US, European and Canadian writers for International Co-productions.

Julia's award-winning social awareness short film LOST GIRLS, which she wrote, produced and directed has recently been turned into a feature film, LOST GIRLS: ANGIE'S STORY, which is in post production.

Rough Diamond is especially interested projects with interesting back drops and well-developed lead characters. Thriller, family, rom-com, action and psychological horror features are a plus, as well as social impact projects.

 

Thomas Pemberton (Judge) - Development Executive, Mind's Eye Entertainment

Thomas Pemberton is the Development Executive at Mind's Eye Entertainment under producer Kevin DeWalt. There he worked on Recallwith Wesley Snipes, Humanity Bureau with Oscar-winner Nicholas Cage, Distorted with Christina Ricci and John Cusack, Daughter of the Wolfwith Oscar-winner Richard Dreyfus, Score to Settle again with Nicholas Cage, and a YA series based on the best selling books called AVALON.

Minds Eye Entertainment has produced over 60 feature film and television projects. The company has been instrumental in establishing the Canadian film and television industry with exceptional, exportable projects that have sold to over 200 territories around the world. The company has produced over $400 million in production and has garnered over 50 national and international awards.

Minds Eye’s television portfolio includes the period mini-series THE ENGLISHMAN’S BOY and PRAIRIE GIANT: THE TOMMY DOUGLAS STORY, as well as the one-hour legal drama series JUST CAUSE, the action adventure teen series 2030CE, MY GLOBAL ADVENTURE, MYTHQUEST, MENTORS and INCREDIBLE STORY STUDIO, which sold to more 170 countries and multiple networks including The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and YTV.

With an expertise in international co-production and financing, Minds Eye has co-produced films with many countries including France, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, USA and the UK.

Minds Eye’s film Endless starring Famke Janssen, Alexandra Shipp, andNicholas Hamilton is currently in post-production.

Val McLeroy (Judge) - Literary Manager, Epigram

Val McLeroy is a literary Manager at Epigram. Although she has worked as an actor, a wardrobe supervisor, a script supervisor and a post-production supervisor, Val’s primary background has been as a development executive at several companies including Atlantic and Green/Epstein Productions (Growing Pains: The Movie, Malpractice, Above & Beyond). While at Green/Epstein she produced several TV movies, two of which she wrote (as V. R. McDade) for Lifetime: Spirit (starring Elisabeth Moss, Greg Evigan, Austin O'Brien) which was nominated for a Humanitas award and Heart of the Storm (Starring Tom Cavanagh, Melissa Gilbert). As a writer herself, she understands the needs and concerns of writers and is a calming and knowledgeable supporter.

Val has been partnered with Doug Draizin in managing writers for a number of years. McLeroy and Draizin currently have writers working with Amazon, Netflix and Freemantle on projects such as REACHER, FUBAR, SCORPION, NCIS, and AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER.

As a former teacher of high school English and Drama, Val loves working as a mentor to writers. She is a graduate of Michigan State University with a BFA in English, Theatre and Education. She also completed a year of post-baccalaureate study in business and communications.

Scott Schulman (Mentor) - Schulman Management

Scott Schulman is a Literary Manager who has staffed many writers. One of his clients sold one of their pilots to Netflix in 2022. He also went on to sell 2 more movies that year.

He got his start working at Fremantle in business affairs in both scripted and non-scripted television. He then went to A3 Artist Agency for a year as a junior agent in below the line packaging. Scott then pivoted to management and joined More/Medavoy. Scott went off and started Schulman Management in 2018. He began representing actors and then transitioned to signing writers/directors/producers. He currently has a roster of emerging voices and is adamant about breaking the barrier for women by helping get their voices heard. He is currently doing business with 21 Laps, Sugar 23, Phoenix Pictures, Omaha Productions, Harpo, Yoruba Saxon, Megamix, Boatrocker, Mar Vista, CBS and Netflix. Scott served on the Board of Directors for the entertainment organization, HRTS Associates and was also nominated as a Visionary of the Year candidate in 2022 by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Scott also sits on the Los Angeles Hofstra University alumni chapter which mentors emerging industry talent.

Mike Griffin (Judge) - Manager/Producer, Luber Roklin Entertainment

Mike Griffin is a talent manager and producer at Luber Roklin Entertainment. Mike works in artist management and creative development where his focus is TV/film production in both animation and live action along with representing actors, comedians, and screenwriters.

Mike previously worked at MAKE GOOD Content, a talent management firm and production company, alongside Paul Young, the Emmy-winning producer of KEY AND PEELE, who founded and ran Principato-Young Entertainment for 17 years. 

Paul and Mike produced dozens of movies and television shows, including RENO 911 for Comedy Central, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE and KEANU for WB/New Line, WOMAN IN THE BOOK for Crypt TV & Facebook Watch, and the hit docuseries, THE COMEDY STORE for Showtime which chronicled the epic history of the World Famous Comedy Store on Sunset. Mike and MAKE GOOD is partnered with Starburns Industries, the animation studio behind RICK AND MORTY and the Oscar-nominated ANOMALISA.

Sam Newman (Judge) - Creative Executive, Semi-Formal Productions

Sam Newman is currently a Creative Executive at Semi-Formal Productions. The company was co-founded by Michael Showalter and Jordana Mollick and has expanded with their First Look Deal with WarnerMedia streaming platform.

During the past few years, Sam has had a role in the production of their award winning films and series, which include: the Emmy Award Winning series THE DROPOUT (Hulu), the two time Oscar Winning film THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE (Searchlight Pictures), the Oscar-nominated THE BIG SICK (Amazon), the Emmy-winning series GRACE & FRANKIE as well as SEARCH PARTY (Max) starring Alia Shawkat, THE SHRINK NEXT DOOR (Apple), I LOVE YOU FOR THAT (Showtime), SPOILER ALERT (Focus) and more! Sam has worked with writers such as Elizabeth Merriwether, Sharon Horgan, Georgia Pritchett, Kumail Nanjiani, Issa Rae, Charles Rogers, Dan Savage and among others. As well as with producers Nina Jacobsen (THE HUNGER GAMES) and Christine Vachon (CAROL).

Sam started his career at ICM Partners, HBO, Color Force, NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures, Killer Films and ABC.

Sam works across genres, formats and budget levels (and has worked on small indie films to features with budgets over $50 million). He enjoys championing up and coming voices with fresh perspectives and new stories to tell.

David Tilson (Judge) - Development Executive, NV Films (Amazon Studios Deal)

David Tilson is a Development Executive at NV Films which has a First Look development and production deal with Amazon Studios. The company has produced over 200 seasons of television programming equating to thousands of hours of original content, which have been broadcast and streamed in over 200 countries around the world. NV has offices in Cape Town, London & Los Angeles. The company is currently in Post-Production on Amazon Studios' action-comedy feature film MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY, starring Chloe Coleman, Dave Bautista, and Anna Faris, and written by Stage 32 Mentor, Matt Ember.

David started his career in documentaries, including "THIN" for HBO, and unscripted TV shows such as "BAD GIRLS CLUB", "BIZARRE FOODS", "DR. 90210", and NBC's "NASHVILLE STAR".

After producing his own work featured in many festival circuits, he began working in the TV Lit and Talent departments at WME representing creative giants like Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Larry David, Sacha Baron Cohen and Shawn Levy.

At NV Films he is working with writers and creatives to make TV Shows and Films for Domestic and International Markets.