Introduce Yourself : Hello Stage 32!! by John Mezes

Welcome newcomers and community OGs! Allow me to introduce myself. I'm John, and I've been writing since the age of 10. Mostly short shorts about my childhood neighborhood adventures as they happened to me, and setting them in unique worlds. Life and its responsibilities detoured my writing for 28 years, but rather than blame life and excuse my absence, I took those important years and the experiences and began turning them into feature film scripts and TV pilots when I returned to writing in 2017.

I attended live seminars with some of the most prominent screenwriters and actively engaged them, asking them questions and having conversations about the fundamentals of writing and the importance of story. I joined several writing groups with writers of different levels of success and swapped scripts with them, getting and giving invaluable notes which formed my writing styles and in 2021, I joined Stage 32.

This platform was instrumental in furthering my writing education. I signed up for numerous classes, webinars, and began networking, forming those crucial relationships with fellow writers, producers, and actors that produced a trusted inner circle of creatives that I share my work with and who share work with me.

Now, in this chapter of my writing career, I have two sold feature scripts, one in production, the other in pre-production. I offer script consulting to fellow writers, and I co-host the Thursday night Pitch Practice Session and offer private pitch coaching sessions. Being a moderator here on Stage 32 gives me a chance to interact with fellow members and have interesting conversations with them..

Simply put, it's never too late to write, never too late to learn, never too late to network, and never too late to succeed at whatever level you desire. Use the Introduce Yourself Weekend to become noticed, to begin establishing relationships with like-minded creatives, and believe in your value and your work as a writer. The work is hard but honor that reason and the love in why you choose this career.