Trending Lounge Discussions

Congratulations, Semifinalists!

Congrats to all!

Congratulations everyone!!

Congratulations to all! Exciting news and good luck!

So proud to be selected as a semi finalist for my screenplay, Rebound. Thanks a lot Stage 32! Congrats to all the other writers who have been recognised.

I like your definition of cinematic, Smith Ade! Hope the blog is helpful!

Hi, Desiree Middleton. Does noticing aspect ratios ever get in the way of you enjoying a film?

Hi Maurice, going to see Superman in a week or 2

Cool, Billy Kwack. Superman looks incredible from the trailer and posters!

Hi Maurice, I watched a movie review on YouTube, they loved it

Hi, Ilay Yılmaz. Welcome to the community. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. Stage 32 is an English platform. Do you mind translating your comment to English?

Maurice Vaughan Hi Maurice, this is what Google Translate came up with:

"Writing emotional stories based on real life is both challenging and healing. Each genre is special in its own right, but the most real is that which comes from the living heart."

Okay Soo.... Please can anyone confirm that they have used Transcribing before on Ms Word or Google Docs and that the scripts have been accepted in the past?

I would say definitely not unless your original words are being rewritten in some way by the process. And probably there's no large language model type AI involved in that transcription process anyway but I'm not a Google Docs engineer.

Thank you Colin for your comment. That's what I think should be clear on....I believe have original work or having the raw audio file on before transcription by a dictation feature really gives authenticity to the work produce. But that's just me

...anyone else?

Hi, Justin Groats. Email success@stage32.com. They'll give you some recommendations.

Hat tip to you Justin for wanting to invest in yourself! I recommend Chris Vogler's book "The Writer's Journey". This book focuses on the journey and mythic quest. Jump over to John Truby's website www.truby.com -- when the page loads click on "Classes" (it's in the center). You can purchase his audio classes for approximately $59 and download the MP3s. Do listen to it, them like a student in class and take notes (the more senses involved the more you learn). Also on Truby's site you can read his breakdown of movies which will help you learn and master storytelling.

Lindbergh E Hollingsworth Thanks for the information, after thinking about it I also took the liberty of looking a multitude of books on screenwriting, something I should have done a long time ago, as for classes I am hoping for something more visual, since my attention span is terrible for audio classes, but I appreciate the suggestion

If you are aware that you're attention span is short, focus on training, learning to have a longer span. "Where you are weak, you must grow strong!" Have at it...

Justin Groats, You’re absolutely on the right track. Getting feedback and building your skills through education is a smart move. We have a wide range of beginner-friendly screenwriting classes on Stage 32 that can help you strengthen your foundation and take your scripts to the next level. You can browse our screenwriting education catalog here:

https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/screenwriting

This challenges are so good for us Ashley Renee Smith

I'm glad you're enjoing them, Sandra Isabel Correia! =)

The four proprietors would be different characters with different issues and foci if you made them 20-somethings. You would have to re-write what you have now because they would be making different choices and in very different relationships. Develop what you have. Just because they are the ages of the characters in The Golden Girls doesn't mean the tone or the situations would be call-backs to that show (unless you are using those four characters as inspiration). If you still feel your show would be too close, add or subtract from the number of lead characters. That could well change the dynamic enough to avoid comparison. You could also watch episodes of Designing Women (which showed business women in a wider age range) or Frankie and Grace for inspiration in their interactions.

I haven’t read all the comments, so maybe someone already mentioned this — but what if the four main characters were of different ages? A mix of both younger and older women. That way, the story could appeal to a wider audience. Everyone could see a bit of themselves reflected on screen. Plus, it opens up a great opportunity to explore the dynamics and interactions between women from different generations.

Aleksandr. Thank you for your suggestion, but there are children and grandchildren to bring in the age mix and show the different attitudes between the ages and relationships. Their back story depends on the main characters being the same age.

James, the dynamics are completely different in my screenplay vs the Golden Girls. I am truly trying not to have a remake, but a very fresh group of today's time and atmosphere.

There's an audience for everything. Write what you're passionate about and never forget why you write this story.

Wish I knew cos I'd bite their hand off too.

Your best bet is to read some scripts similar to genre of your book and try to write the first few pages. Writing a script is not as hard as you think. Plenty of info online that can help you. Use A.I for advice and questions. Good luck.

Thanks so much for sharing your journey! You’re definitely not alone, Abdulrahman Alghamdi, many authors are in the same position, wondering how to take that leap from book to screen.

If you’re looking to explore adaptation without immediately hiring a screenwriter, I highly recommend checking out our Stage 32 Education focused on Adaptation here:

https://www.stage32.com/education/search?term=adaptation

We have several classes and webinars specifically designed to help authors like you understand the screen adaptation process and how to approach it strategically.

We’ve also published a few helpful blogs on the topic, including:

From Page to Screen: The Art of Adaptations

https://www.stage32.com/blog/from-page-to-screen-the-art-of-adaptations-...

You’ve Written a Novel, Is a Script Adaptation Far Behind?

https://www.stage32.com/blog/youve-written-a-novel-is-a-script-adaptatio...

And if you’re ready to take a more personal step, we offer a Stage 32 Adaptation Review Consultation with an executive of your choice. They’ll read up to a 5-page synopsis of your book and give you an in-depth 60-minute phone call with actionable advice on how to adapt your story for the screen. You can learn more and book it here:

https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=66

It’s a fantastic way to get professional insight without needing a finished script. Wishing you all the best on the next step of your storytelling journey!

Wherever there are people, there are scammers.

Hi, Callie Currence. Sometimes only one scammer shows up for a while, and sometimes a few scammers or more show up in a bunch. Stage 32 has a lot of members (over 1.2 million and counting), so naturally scammers will show up, but Stage 32 is quick to remove them.

If anyone sees a fake account, scam account, or suspicious account on Stage 32, email support@stage32.com with the person’s name and their Stage 32 profile link. And if someone sends you a scam message (like a producer asking for a producer's fee to make your script), send a screenshot of their message to Support with their name and profile link. Thanks.

I have reported more than one by email and to moderators. Scammers are going to slip in. It happens everywhere. Just that Stage 32 works actively to remove them. This is still a great community and we all need to look out for each other.

I meet a lot of people who just waste my time, not sure if I met any scammers. I think if you look at their profile, their links and IMDB then you can determine if they are a scammer. However, beware of the people who waste your time. Those people may have the links but no class so it's always a guessing game.

The scammer is a bit obvious. There are those who think everyone is as stupid as they are. There was a man who offered me 40% of the profit :)

Why are you willing to pay corporations that have stolen all the intellectual property in the world and are profiting from it by censoring your creativity, but you don't want to pay a good comic book artist or ghostwriter?

Ease of use. AI has or soon will replace ghostwriters. You give both AI and a ghostwriter the outline of your story, character developments, plot and they do the same function convert your ideas into a near finished draft. Other examples are proof reading, format checking, continuity. AI is just hitting the creative industry, it is going to have the same impact as the PC had on office jobs and shop floor manufacturing. We need to pick up new skills and quickly, just check out what's happing in Hollywood and the new reality. A long time ago I start my adult life working in a shipyard in the North East of England. I had skills in using DBase 3 and DataEase, latter moved on to Access, now AI writes Access and Excel code. I am just looking for the best tool for the job to stay ahead of the unemployment line.

It's alarming to note how quickly and good AI has become in the last year.

Am I correct in assuming that your projects in the logline section are written using AI?

I am using Ai for summarizing my work and it does a fantastic job. I am also considering it to create fully completed works. I see no other choice than to become a writer producer.

I have written a one act. I know a lot of actors write their own scripts and produce it themselves as that is often the best way to get yourself out there. Are there actors who started out strictly as writers? Sure. You ask some very thought provoking questions. I can't wait to hear the answers!

Dear Maurice Vaughan, Alexandra Stevens and Suzanne Bronson and Hi Stage 32 community! Huge thanks for all your support—it’s been amazing connecting here. I’m a writer first, always. I started in theater, doing some acting and writing my own plays. After a life-changing accident, I wanted my stories to hit the screen, not just stay in books, so I dove into screenwriting. It’s been such a thrill! My first screenplay got me hooked, and now I’m deep into my TV series, Ella in Marbella, set in sunny Spain where I live.I’m Ella in Ella in Marbella, and I’m having a blast pitching the next seasons with my theater energy—acting out scenes during presentations is just too fun, I can’t stop! I never meant to star, though. I used to turn down movie roles because I couldn’t control the scripts, and now, writing my own, I’ve got that control, which feels so right. Writing and acting have merged for me, maybe because I spent years as an undercover journalist/actor—my life’s a mix of storytelling and performance! But when I pitch as Ella, some folks think I’m a movie star. I always laugh and say, “Nope, I’m a writer!” Still, I love slipping into character to bring my pitches to life.For my other films, I’m leaning toward casting younger actors or those with more film experience—they seem to shine brighter on screen these days. Theater’s my happy place; the movie spotlight feels intense. Looking back, I regret saying no to filmmakers who offered me roles—they said I was good, and maybe with more film experience, I’d feel differently about acting. For Ella in Marbella, though, I’m still playing Ella in my pitches, but I’m curious—what do you think? Should I keep acting as Ella for the series, or would casting a seasoned film actor make it pop more? Producers out there, do you love working with a writer who’s also the actress, or does it complicate things? I’d love to hear your thoughts! What’s been your experience blending writing and acting, or producing projects with multi-passions? How do you decide when to step into a role versus handing it off? Let’s keep the conversation going! I’m on Stage 32, Script Revolution, and IMDB Pro, sharing my work and learning from you all. Share your insights below or message me—I’m all ears for making Ella in Marbella the best it can be. Thanks for reading!

You're welcome, Yvonne Padmos. Sorry to hear about the accident. You said you're having a blast pitching Ella in Marbella and you said "when I pitch as Ella, some folks think I’m a movie star," so I think you should keep acting as Ella for the series. And I like the idea of acting out scenes during a pitch.

I wrote a screenplay, my first one, as an acting student. The purpose was to shoot a short film before my scene partner left the country for home. It was a quick draft, and two days later he approved it. I asked a friend to film it. Well, She produced, another friend directed, seven other filmmakers swarmed in to fill out the crew, we cast one person (who never acted before) into the co-lead, and I focused in on the crafty. Next thing you know, the film was finished, and the collaborative effort of others allowed me to be my character. I wrote, I acted, I crafty'd. We won a lot of awards, had fun, learned from each other. The lesson learned, is after you write, collaborate. Let it go. Trust your producer and director and the sound person and your cast members. Your story will live.

Hi Yvonne Padmos, Ashley here—Head of Community at Stage 32!

Thank you so much for this thoughtful and vulnerable post. Your reflections on authorship and control are so relatable, especially for creators who’ve spent time shaping work in theater and are now stepping into screenwriting or filmmaking. The evolution of your creative instincts, from needing control to now inviting collaboration, shows such growth, and I admire the openness you’re bringing to this next chapter.

We have a number of Education offerings that touch on actor-writer dynamics- https://www.stage32.com/education. Or consider booking a consult with one of our industry executives to discuss your goals and the best strategy for your scripts by emailing Success@stage32.com.

And since you’re looking to connect and collaborate, I highly recommend joining our July Filmmakers Club, in partnership with Blackmagic Design! This week’s challenge explores cross-cultural storytelling and the unique perspectives we bring to our creative work. You can check it out and join in here:

https://www.stage32.com/blog/july-filmmakers-club-week-2-strategies-for-...

Thanks again for starting this rich conversation. I hope you’ll continue sharing your journey!

Congratulations on KERES being a Semi-Finalist, Vikki Harris!

Thank you, Maurice Vaughan .

You're welcome, Vikki Harris!

Congrats. Sounds like an interesting two-hander. A murder mystery confined to single place, community or otherwise, has some good classic vibes to it, like Twin Peaks or Murder on the Orient Express.

Nice, always exciting when you make the cut for a screenwriting contest.

"which pushed me to live in the basement of the art building for several months to resubmit." There's a movie idea somewhere in there, Lindsay Thompson. I'm thinking a Truman Show type movie or a Fantasy Drama movie.

That's great!!! Thanks for all the info!!!We ll keep them in mind!!!!

Maurice Vaughan I love it! Could be any number of movies from that. :-)

Oh! I love this thread So Much. I grew up in Greenville and I'm now outside of Raleigh. I remember when Wilmington was THE place to film. Here's hoping we can rebuild that.

Thank you so much for sharing this thoughtful post, Lindsay Thompson, your passion for both storytelling and North Carolina really shines through! =)

North Carolina has an incredible cinematic legacy and so much untapped potential, especially for indie filmmakers who are willing to be resourceful and community-driven. The location diversity alone is a huge asset, and your insight about the challenges with visibility and access to support is something many filmmakers around the world can relate to.