8th Annual Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest

THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED!

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The most respected genre screenwriting competition in the industry is back!

This year's winner will be personally mentored by SPIRAL & JIGSAW screenwriter Peter Goldfinger! 

And for the first time ever we're accepting Features AND TV Pilots! 

2018's Grand Prize Winner - Christina Pamies - was signed by Jake Wagner off of her winning script and hired to write the Horror Thriller BAGHEAD for StudioCanal! And again, this year, we have brought together judges from leading genre production companies and studios in the business! These companies have produced the most critically and commercially successful horror and thriller projects in recent history. 

The winner will meet industry pros from MONKEYPAW PRODUCTIONS, LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT, UNIVERSAL 1440, BECK/WOODS (A QUIET PLACE, upcoming 65 for Sony), THE HORROR COLLECTIVE, DREAD CENTRAL MEDIA, as well as the twisted minds who helped bring films including MAD MAX:FURY ROAD,  SPIRAL, JIGSAW, CHILD'S PLAY, SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN, JACOB'S LADDER, and more to the Big Screen!

If you write horror, thriller, or suspense features or series, this contest could launch your career! Around the world, these are still some of the most sought after scripts in the market! Now, Stage 32 is bringing you the biggest names in genre film production and distribution to judge your horror, thriller, or suspense scripts!


Now - exclusively through Stage 32 - you have the opportunity to meet industry professionals from these prolific companies who will have read your script! 

The Grand Prize winner will be flown to Hollywood to meet with executives from:

Sensuble Productions (previous executive credits include MAD MAX: FURY ROAD)

Legendary Entertainment (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, GODZILLA VS. KONG) 

Monkeypaw Productions (GET OUT, US, CANDYMAN)

Universal 1440 (DOOM: ANNIHILATION, THE SCORPION KING: BOOK OF SOULS)

Alibi Management (Client credits include CHILD'S PLAY, BAGHEAD)

Beck/Woods (65 for Sony, A QUIET PLACE FRANCHISE)

Wonder Street Entertainment (Client credits include SPIRAL, SAW)

Mutiny Pictures (I AM LISA)

We’re looking for the next Army of the Dead, "American Horror Story", "Scream Queens", A Quiet Place, The Conjuring, The Forever Purge, or whatever horror, thriller, mystery, suspense concept your twisted mind can dream up.

And we're bringing back some of biggest genre Producers, Studio Executives and Literary Managers in the business to judge this screenwriting contest! One deserving screenwriter will earn the opportunity of a lifetime.

Our Grand Prize Winner will be flown out to Hollywood for one-on-one private meetings with each of our judges, who come from the most prolific horror production companies in the business:

• Legendary Entertainment (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, GODZILLA VS. KONG) - Tim Hebard, Film & TV Development and Finance 
• Monkeypaw Productions - Jasmyne Peck-Bailey, Development Executive
• Beck/Woods (A QUIET PLACE, 65 for Sony) - Felipe Machado, Creative Executive
• Eli Roth's The Arts District (CABIN FEVER, HOSTEL) - Michael Besman, Head of Development
• Universal 1440 (DOOM: ANNIHILATION, THE SCORPION KING: BOOK OF SOULS) - Josh Rayner
• Alibi Management (Client Credits include CHILD'S PLAY, BAGHEAD) - Jake Wagner, Manager
• Wonder Street (Client Credits include SPIRAL, JIGSAW) Andrew Wilson 
• Mutiny Pictures (I AM LISA), Jonathan Barkan
• Sensuble Productions, Petrina Hull

ALL FINALISTS will be in a Stage 32 Look Book which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Look Books are respected throughout the industry and have helped secure dozens meetings and which have led to writer success with companies like Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, APA, Echo Lake, Amazon, UTA, CAA, WME, First Friday, Pathfinder, The Cartel, Black Bear Pictures, Lit Entertainment and many, many more.

Stage 32 Launches Screenwriting Careers!

7th Annual Search for New Blood Winner Lisa Jay on why she Entered

Over the last 8 years, Stage 32’s screenwriting contests have gained a reputation as one of the “most worthwhile screenwriting contests to change your career.” No other contest provides their winners and finalists with the same level of direct access to industry leading professionals who can take your career to the next level! Over the last 8 years, Stage 32 has become an incubator for finding talent and material across the globe.

Recent success stories to come out of Stage 32 include:

• Search for New Blood Winner Grand Prize Winner - Christina Pamies - was signed by Jake Wagner off of her winning script, A Good Deed! She was hired to write the Horror Thriller BAGHEAD for StudioCanal!

• The Eye of Owou, written by Martin Reese, received a $5,000 option and with a consideration for $100,000 in production financing! 

• Eric Jeske - was signed by literary managers Krista Sipp and Devon Byers of First Friday Entertainment after winning the 5th Annual Feature Writing Contest and taking meetings set by Stage 32!

• 10-31, a horror film that will be produced by renowned director Eli Roth, Roger Birnbaum and Orion Pictures, written by Stage 32 member Laurie Ashbourne is greenlit and starts shooting later this year.
• Chick Fight starring Malin Ackerman, Alec Baldwin and Bella Thorne written by Stage 32 member Joe Downey is in post-production and awaiting release!
• What Lies Ahead, written by Stage 32 member William Viglione, directed by Stage 32 member Rob Gardner, and packaged by Stage 32 script services executive Tiffany Boyle of Ramo Law was released in theaters in 2019.
• Vagic, a romantic comedy written by Stage 32 member Julie Ann Cross, received a $7,500 option and is being produced by legendary producer Amy Baer of Gidden Media Group.
• My Clone’s an A-Hole, a comedy written by Julie Ann Wight was offered a $5,000 option by National Lampoon.
• I'm Not Jack, a script written by Stage 32 member Jack Cusick, received a $7,500 option and is being developed by legendary producer Amy Baer of Gidden Media Group.
• Stage 32 member Diana Wright signed with The Cartel after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Jonathan Jordan signed with Verve Talent and Literary Agency after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Aaron Benjamin signed with Housefire Management.
• Stage 32 member Aaron Bierman signed with Verve Talent and Literary Agency after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Chris Torres signed with manager Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Greg Mania was signed by manager Laina Cohn of Cohn/Torgan Management after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!

This contest has produced some of the most sought after material from our finalists and winners. Requests for our finalists scripts have increased year over year and our winners have met face to face with a who’s who of working industry executives and gatekeepers!

Unprecedented access. Greater opportunities.

Better exposure. More reads.

Real success!

Congratulations to our Winner!

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Semifinalists!

Congratulations to our Quarterfinalists!

What Types Of Scripts Can I Enter?

And while this is a search for "New Blood" we're welcoming Psychological Suspense, Crime Thrillers, Contained Thrillers, Destruction Thrillers, Revenge Thrillers, Sci-Fi Thrillers, Spy Thrillers, Horror, Ironic Horror, Found Footage Horror, and more! If you've dreamt it up, we want to see it! If your script fits in with any of these examples, it’s a fit for this contest!

Feature Length Screenplays:

All genres of feature film screenplays are welcome.

Teleplays:

All genres of 30-min or 60-min Original Pilots. Please no spec scripts based on existing series.

Please no short scripts. 

Feedback Option

For an additional fee of only $49 you can receive full coverage from our industry readers on your screenplay or teleplay. Just check "coverage" upon checkout. Coverage will be sent out after the winners are announced.

"I found Stage 32’s contest coverage far better than some other services I have used in the past, where I felt almost assaulted. Please thank him or her for a well-done job. It was my first try with Stage 32 but it will not be my last." - Bob C.

"Stage 32 contest coverage is even better than some of the industry coverage I received. Thank you for these invaluable notes!" - E. Robinson

"The insight from my coverage from the Stage 32 contest helped me improve my script's dimension exponentially. I had looked at the script so much that I can't believe I missed a major plot point. Thank you!!" - S. Persons

Resubmission Option

Do you think you will want to send an updated draft later in the competition? For an additional fee of only $39 you will be able to resubmit one (1) revised draft up to 24-hours after the Final Deadline of the Contest. 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 Grand Prize Winner will be privately mentored by Peter Goldfinger the writer of SPRIAL which opened #1 in the United States! 

The Grand Prize Winner will be flown to Hollywood and sent on private one-on-one meetings with the panel of industry mentors including:

• Tim Hebard, Film & TV Development and FinanceLegendary Entertainment (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, GODZILLA VS. KONG) 
• Jasmyne Peck-Bailey, Development Executive, Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions (GET OUT, CANDY MAN) 
• Felipe Machado, Creative Executive, Beck/Woods (A QUIET PLACE, upcoming 65 for Sony) 
• Michael Besman, Head of Development, Eli Roth's The Arts District (CABIN FEVER, HOSTEL) 
• Josh Rayner, Universal 1440 (DOOM: ANNIHILATION, THE SCORPION KING: BOOK OF SOULS) 
• Jake Wagner, Manager, Alibi Management (Client Credits include CHILD'S PLAY, BAGHEAD for Studiocanal) - 
• Andrew Wilson, Manager, Wonder Street (Client Credits include SPIRAL, JIGSAW) 
• Jonathan Barkan, Mutiny Pictures (I AM LISA)
• Petrina Hull, Producer (previous development credits MAD MAX: FURY ROAD)

In addition, Stage 32's executive team will send your screenplay title, logline, writer bio & script synopsis to over 500 development executives, producers, managers & agents who work with Stage 32. If an executive requests the script or a meeting, we will facilitate the delivery.

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 and will be in a Stage 32 Look Book which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Look Books 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’s contests have gained a reputation as one of the “most worthwhile contests to change your career.” No other contest provides their winners and finalists with the same level of direct access to industry leading professionals who can take your career to the next level! Stage 32 has become an incubator for finding talent and material across the globe.

Peter Goldfinger - Feature and TV writer (JIGSAW, SPIRAL, PIRANHA 3D),

Pete Goldfinger is an incredibly successful feature and television writer in Hollywood perhaps best known for penning the two newest features in the SAW horror universe, including JIGSAW, which grossed over $100 million, and SPIRAL, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Rock, which debuted at number one at the box office this year. Other credits of Peter’s include SORORITY ROW, PIRANHA 3D and TV shows like TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER. When he’s not writing for the screen, Pete is running and hosting his own screenwriting retreats, in-person workshops, and Zoom classes.

Petrina Hull (Mentor & Judge) - Producer & Co-founder, Sensuble Productions

Petrina is a Producer who recently co-founded Sensuble Productions after having been the Production and Development Executive for Oscar-winning filmmaker George Miller at Kennedy Miller Mitchell.

There, Petrina collaborated with George Miller for 14 years, developing and producing some of the company's most ambitious films, including Academy and BAFTA Award-winning MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. 

These films grossed hundreds of millions of dollars in box office revenue and received many global accolades. Petrina was also instrumental in the Academy Awards campaign that resulted in 10 nominations and 6 wins for MAD MAX in 2016. It is widely considered one of the greatest action films of all time.

Petrina has helped develop various projects, including the next Mad Max installments, FURIOSA and MAD MAX: THE WASTELAND.

Jasmyne Peck (Judge & Mentor) - Development Executive, Monkeypaw Productions

Jasmyne Peck is a Development Executive at Monkeypaw, providing support for many of the company's creative pursuits. Prior to joining the team, Jasmyne received her B.S. in Television and Film Production from St. John's University, where she also performed service work and studied social justice theory as an Ozanam Scholar. More recently, she received her MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California.

Jake Wagner (Judge) - Manager/Producer, Alibi Management

Jake Wagner is one of the most respected Literary Managers and Producers working in the business today, he served as the Executive Producer on the hit Netflix comedy SENIOR YEAR starring Rebel Wilson, the action-comedy STUBER starring Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani, and the horror feature BAGHEAD starring Freya Allan (KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, THE WITCHER, and HBO's THE THIRD DAY).

Jake signed Stage 32 writer Christina Pamies who wrote the hit film BAGHEAD for Studio Canal which was featured in the Hollywood Reporter.

Jake has also been one of the top-selling spec script managers of the last decade. Jake was responsible for the largest spec sale of the last 10 years (and one of the biggest in history), with SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN which sold to Universal Pictures. After an illustrious and celebrated career at Benderspink and Good Fear and Film + Management, Jake owns and founded Alibi Management. Jake’s clients have made some of the most popular recent horror films including POLAROID, CRAWL, and CHILD'S PLAY.

Jake has a long history of finding material for development and loves working with Stage 32 writers.

Andrew Wilson (Judge & Mentor) - Literary Manager, Wonderstreet Entertainment

Andrew Wilson, a North Jersey native, is a successful producer and manager with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment business. As an industry veteran with several high-profile clients and projects, Andrew represents some of the most exciting writers and directors in the industry, and whose clients’ collective worldwide film grosses reach over a billion dollars. Wilson joined a few of his colleagues from Zero Gravity, who launched the new shingle Wonder Street Entertainment in 2019, where he continues his career in producing, negotiating, and executing major production and development deals for film, television, and digital content.

His recent projects include a film development deal with Paramount Studios and producer Frank Marshall on the legendary Shirley Jackson short story THE LOTTERY, which is slated for a 2024 production. Wilson is also an Executive Producer for the Spanish language Netflix heist thriller series BANDIDOS, currently filming in Mexico. Andrew’s prior experience includes his start at Evolution Entertainment, where he was instrumental in shepherding the ultra-successful horror franchise SAW, to the big screen. During his 11-year stint at Evolution, he helped to build the genre banner Twisted Pictures.

Other notable projects include developing and producing LOTTERY TICKET starring Ice Cube for Warner Brothers, and producing the microbudget documentary thriller DEVILS BACKBONE TEXAS for Fox Digital Studios.

Andrew currently splits his time between Los Angeles, California, and Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and two sons. An avid runner, golfer, tattoo aficionado, and entertainment enthusiast, Andrew enjoys spending time in the low-country sampling local Southern cuisine and visiting the beach with his family.

Tim Hebard (Judge & Mentor) - Film & TV Development & Finance, Legendary Entertainment

Tim Hebard is the Film & TV development and finance analyst at Legendary Entertainment. Legendary is a leading independent studio with film, television, digital, and comics divisions dedicated to developing, producing, and delivering premium content to audiences worldwide. Legendary's most recent releases include GODZILLA VS KONG for HBO Max, ENOLA HOLMES for Netflix, LOST IN SPACE for Netflix, CARNIVAL ROW for Amazon, and DEBRIS for NBC.

 

Tim has both creative and business experience in film & TV development, with responsibilities including development tracking, project greenlight financial modeling, and talent negotiations.

 

Prior to Legendary, Tim worked in the production units for series including SHAMELESS and EASY.

Felipe Machado (Judge & Mentor) - Creative Executive, Beck/Woods

Felipe Machado is the Creative Executive at BECK/WOODS the company from writers Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, the screenwriters behind the massively success A QUIET PLACE franchise and the upcoming Sci-Fi Thriler, 65 for Sony with Adam Driver starring. 

Previously, Felipe was at Raimi Productions, a development and production company focusing on a wide range of projects, from horror, to romance, and everything in between. Under the leadership of writer, producer and director, Sam Raimi, Raimi Productions specializes in unique stories by writers and filmmakers who stray from the expected and forge their own paths. Raimi Productions’s latest release was 2019’s smash hit CRAWL for Paramount. Prior credits include THE GRUDGE, DON'T BREATHE, POLTERGEIST (2015), DRAG ME TO HELL, and EVIL DEAD.

Before Raimi Productions, Felipe worked in development at Ridley Scott's company, Scott Free Productions and has a background in screenwriting.

Josh Rayner (Judge & Mentor) - Creative Executive, Universal 1440 Entertainment (Universal Pictures)

Josh Raynor is the Creative Executive at Universal 1440 Entertainment, the home video and streaming distribution division of Universal Pictures. Previous home video and streaming releases include many of the franchise properties from Universal Pictures, including films in the THE SCORPION KING, TREMORS, CHUCKY, and JARHEAD franchises. 

The division is now expanding into creating original content for streaming distribution, as well as "universe" expanding projects which build on existing IP. Josh is at the forefront of this development and says, "we're always looking for great writers" across all genres.

Prior to Universal 1440, Josh worked in the Literary Department fo Innovative Artists for 2 years.

 

Jonathan Barkan (Judge) - Executive Producer, (SKINAMARINK, ETHERIA)

Jonathan Barkan is an Executive Producer who has a long history in horror having started his career as the Editor-in-Chief of Dread Central and Bloody Disgusting.

His recent producing credits include Kyle Edward Ball's experimental supernatural horror SKINAMARINK (SHUDDER, IFC MIDNIGHT), MY CHERRY PIE, distributed by BayView Enterainment, as well as TV shows like ETHERIA for Amazon and DREAD: THE UNSOLVED for Dread Central. Jonathan is also credited on over two dozen feature films in which he has lent his expertise. He is currently producing MENTAL HEALTH AND HORROR, a documentary discussing the positive impact horror films can have.

He previously served as the Head of Distribution at VMI Releasing (through VMI Worldwide), and he was Head of Acquisitions and Development Director for Distribution Company at Mutiny Pictures.

Mutiny Pictures distributed the horror-thriller I AM LISA, the Drama DRIVE ALL NIGHT, and the historical drama THE MATCH. Jonathan was the VP of Feature Film Acquisitions and Distribution for The Horror Collective, where he discovered and acquired horror, thriller, and sci-fi titles. The Horror Collective's latest release is the micro-budget horror project SHIFTER.

Jonathan was also the Acquisitions Ambassador for DREAD Presents, a genre-centric distribution label under the banner of Epic Pictures Group. He has served as a jury member at various film festivals around the world, including South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, BIFAN in South Korea, Popcorn Frights in Florida, HARD: LINE in Germany, and Fantasia in Quebec, amongst others.

Jonathan loves to find elevated genre stories he can develop.