9th Annual Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest

THE WINNER HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!

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Stage 32 is proud to present the 9th Annual Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest!

Our Grand Prize winner will:

• Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with top industry professionals working in the horror industry with Blumhouse, Netflix and more!
• Meet with Darren Lynn Bousman, acclaimed director of the SAW franchise!
• Work with Stage 32 to develop your script’s pitch deck for the market.
• Get a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room and free access to some of Stage 32’s educational resources
• Continued support from the Stage 32 team to help move your career forward and get you in front of decision makers!

ALL 10 Finalists will:

• Have your loglines presented to over 500 industry executives including literary managers, agents and producers in a Stage 32 lookbook. Past lookbook writers have been set up on meetings with 3 Arts Entertainment, UTA, APA, Art/Work Entertainment, Zero Gravity and more!
• Get a free one month membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room

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 New Blood Winners See Results

So many of our previous Search for New Blood contest winners have been signed. Click the "Success Stories" link here for testimonials from our past winners! 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?

• Winner Christina Pamies was signed by Billion Dollar Literary Manager Jake Wagner. After that, he got her a paid gig with StudioCanal adapting the highly anticipated BAGHEAD. Check out the Variety article the film is featured in.
• Winner Kevin Bachar is currently in post-production on his horror film, THE INHABITANT.
• Winners Alyssa & Griffin Devine have met with Dino De Laurentiis Company, The Asylum, Crypt TV, Good Deed Entertainment, Samaco Films, Chris Sparling, and HG5 Entertainment.
• Winner Glenn Forbes signed with manager Infinity Management International. His script is now set up with Glider Films
• Winner Frank Ponce signed with 3 Arts Entertainment and now has a mini-series in development with Atlas Entertainment (American Hustle) and Universal

Still don’t believe us? Let New Blood Winners Lisa Jay & Christina Pamies tell you why you should enter!

Congratulations to our Winner!

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Semifinalists!

Congratulations to our Quarterfinalists!

About the Stage 32 9th Annual Search for New Blood Contest

Our longest running and most successful contest is back - scare us senseless with your horror scripts in this year's Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest! Stage 32 offers access to some of the biggest names in horror, including our Industry Mentor, Darren Lynn Bousman (SAW II, SAW III, SAW IV). This year, the judging panel also includes executives from Blumhouse Productions, Netflix, Circle of Confusion and more with credits like THE WALKING DEAD, GET OUT, and MALIGNANT to name a few!

We are looking for spooky horror scripts of all subjects and tones. Whether your story is about real life monsters, high concept, campy or filled with vampires, werewolves and ghosts, our judges want to read them! This contest is open to Features and Television Pilots for Limited and Recurring Series.

About the Exposure For Your Script

The Grand Prize Winner Will be Flown to Los Angeles to meet with:

Darren Lynn Bousman, Director (SAW II, SAW III, SAW IV)

Haley Pigman, Creative Executive, Blumhouse Productions (GET OUT, THE PURGE)

David Chien, Manager, ArtWork Entertainment (LIGHTS OUT, MALIGNANT)

Jonathan Barkan, Director, Mutiny Pictures (MENTAL HEALTH AND HORROR: A DOCUMENTARY)

Shirit Bradley, Producer, Netflix (KRAMPUS, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS)

Antonio D'Intino, Manager, Circle of Confusion (THE WALKING DEAD, SATANIC)

Petrina Hull, Producer & Co-Founder, Sensuble Productions (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD)

Cahleb Cartier, Office of the President, TCA Management (BLACK LEATHER JACKET)

Adam Horner, CEO/Producer, Ignite Pictures (COVEN, #CAPTURED)

Jenna Payne, Producer & Director, Disaster Capital Productions (BLOOD JUNKIES, ZOMBIE VIXENS FROM PLUTO!)

In addition to these meetings, the winner will also receive unlimited access to Stage 32’s Educational resources, be promoted on Stage 32’s social media, and have their complete portfolios and 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 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.

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: May 19th, 2022

Early Bird Deadline: June 8th, 2022

Regular Deadline: June 29th, 2022

Final Deadline: July 27th, 2022

Quarterfinalist Announcement: September 30th, 2022

Semifinalist Announcement: October 14th, 2022

Finalist Announcement: October 28th, 2022

Winner Announcement: November 11th, 2022

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.

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 September 30th, 2022. 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 the Final Deadline on July 27th, 2022 to submit a new draft. 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. 

Darren Lynn Bousman (Industry Mentor) - Director, Producer, Writer (SAW Franchise, Spiral, The Devil's Carnival, Mother's Day),

Darren Lynn Bousman is the film director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his work on the SAW franchise and the horror musical REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA. He was the co-writer and director of SAW II and the director of SAW III, SAW IV and SAW IX.

He directed an episode of the horror anthology show "Fear Itself", entitled "NEW YEARS DAY". He has also been attached to direct the remake of David Cronenberg's SCANNERS. In 2019, it was announced Bousman would return to the SAW franchise directing SPIRAL, the ninth installment in the series which is set to be released on May 21, 2021.

 

 

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.

Antonio D'Intino (Judge) - Manager, Circle of Confusion

Antonio is a Literary Manager at the production and management company Circle of Confusion, whose company credits include Mayhem, "The Walking Dead" and "Fear the Walking Dead."

His clients films have played at Cannes, Sundance and SXSW, among others.

Antonio was previously in the Picture Literary department at APA. He then moved to Plattform, a management company led by veteran genre manager Jeremy Platt who's client credits include It for Warner Bros., and Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water.

Shirit Bradley (Judge) - Producer, Netflix Studios

Shirit climbed the ranks at Legendary Entertainment, working on blockbuster hits including GODZILLA, KRAMPUS and KONG: SKULL ISLAND. She is also the Associate Producer on their upcoming feature, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, slated for a 2019 summer release.

During her time with Legendary Entertainment, Shirit’s produced the award-winning independent short The Cleansing Hour. With the success of the short and a love for independent filmmaking, Shirit left Legendary after wrapping on GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS to produce at Skubalon Entertainment, where she recently wrapped production on the feature version of THE CLEANSING HOUR.

Shirit actively pursues unique projects while also championing diverse and original talent. “Having worked on a dozen films throughout my career, I have developed a keen eye for quality content. I not only want to produce material that has a lasting impact, but that will also conjure up an emotional response."

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.

Cahleb Cartier (Judge) - Office of the President, TCA Management

Cahleb Cartier works directly with Tracy Christian, the owner/president of TCA Mgmt, a full-service boutique talent agency known for globally representing actors, screenwriters, producers, and directors in film, television, and theater.

TCA is proud to offer clients expert global representation in most areas connected with the entertainment industry including: film and television production, fine art, finance, film sales and distribution, product development, social media, packaging, and corporate clients.

Cahleb is developing a slate of horror projects for TCA through its production imprint, Black Leather Jacket. TCA owns and produces through Black Leather Jacket and they also represent producers as well as production companies. His past experience includes work at a prestigious talent and literary management firm representing Academy Award and Golden Globe nominees.

He is a graduate of UCLA and proudly supports diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Adam Horner (Judge) - CEO/Producer, Ignite Pictures

Adam Horner is the Producer and Owner of Ignite Pictures, a production company and international sales agency based at Fox Studios in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Los Angeles. They have been heavily involved in producing genre features the past 2 years, and are currently expanding with the opening of an international sales department. 

Ignite is in post for CHRISTMAS DOWN UNDER, a family Christmas movie starring John Jarratt (WOLF CREEK), Joanne Samuel (MAD MAX), and Logie-winner Paul O'Brien, and Louis Mandylor (MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING).

They recently finished producing THE LAST EXORCIST, starring Danny Trejo and the Emmy-nominated Terri Ivens; and their executive produced THICKER THAN WATER was recently picked up by Green Apple Ent for sales in US and Canada, and Bounty Films in Australia and the UK.

 

Jenna Payne (Judge) - Director & Producer, Disaster Capital Productions

Jenna Payne is a Producer who recently launched the production company and incubator Disaster Capital Productions.

Disaster Capital prides itself in discovering and supporting breakthrough filmmakers in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Action. They are constructing a company with a pay-it-forward attitude where finished filmmakers mentor the next class of talent with their own debut films.

Disaster Capital aims to be an inclusive launch pad for emerging genre talent, providing the tools and connections needed for their immediate and future projects alike.

Haley Pigman (Judge) - Manager of Creative Development, Blumhouse

Haley Pigman is the Manager of Creative Development at Jason Blum's famed production company, Blumhouse. Prior to this new role, she worked in the feature department at Blumhouse as well. She previously worked at Legendary Entertainment, Paradigm Talent Agency, and Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment.

Blumhouse is well known for producing modern classics like Get Out, The Purge and Insidious. 

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.