The Stage 32 Lounge

The use of makeup dates back to at least 6000 BC. Men and women of all social classes in ancient Egypt wore makeup. Not only to appear more beautiful but also to be closer to the gods associated with different colors. Now, the spiritual aspects of makeup are closely related to fighting and dying.

So, in this article for the Immersive Action Writing Method, I’ll focus on the use of makeup for fighting purposes and on how a writer can include makeup to intensify an action scene and deepen the fighting characters.

When I had my martial arts exam for the 3. Dan, the master required me and my fellow students to show up wearing makeup around the eyes that should reflect our attitude towards life and fighting.

Preparing for a fight by applying makeup can be a scene more intense than the fight itself because it can reveal a lot about your character without using any dialogue. Not to think of all the exciting facial feature close-ups you’re finally allowed to include.

Remember Braveheart’s Oscar-winning makeup?

Let’s imagine a silent scene where he applies the war paint just like a ritual to focus before the battle.

Or a group of soldiers silently applying camouflage paint and secretly exchanging glances before beginning a dangerous behind-enemy-lines mission.

Native American tribes are famous for the use of face and body paint. Among other meanings and purposes, they wore colors and motives for fighting, mourning, heroism, celebrating victory, status or to get in touch with their tutelary spirits.

This leads us to an emotion most fighters struggle to deal with at some point: Fear!

Getting in touch with or even “turning into” a supernatural being like a spirit, god or demon can work quite well to conquer the fear of pain, death and disgrace. It may also be scary for your character when he/she feels that his/her opponent is not scared at all. So, makeup is commonly used to strike fear into the enemy’s heart. Darth Maul is supposed to look like the devil without any makeup, but from an author’s perspective, that’s an intense and scary warpaint-look to strengthen this character. Imagine him being drawn to the light side of the force, then struggling with his looks and applying heavy makeup to conceal it and appear nicer. You're not mad at me for this cute little fantasy, are you?

I won’t go too deep into tattoos here, but those are a bit like permanent makeup (no offense). They are very common among professional fighters and work both ways. Conor McGregor’s Gorilla and Tiger seem impressive when he wins but make him look somewhat pitiful when he goes down.

While tattoos are mainstream now, only two to three decades ago, they were often associated with crime and violence. The Yakuza, the Triads, Drug Cartels and Biker Gangs immediately come to mind.

You normally don’t tattoo yourself but trust another person to grace you with the desired motifs. The same can be true for makeup and makes for another great scene of revealing intimacy. If your character is being made up by someone else for a special reason the audience already knows or can guess during the process, this can be a very emotional moment and be immersive for your audience too.

I guess you know what's coming?

Your Immersive Action Writing Method exercise for today!

Paint yourself, apply some makeup, have fun and be bold - you’ll have a blast once you’ve brought yourself to begin. (Use Halloween as an excuse if you have to.) Then sit down, write an action scene and see how it goes. It’s gonna be different!

And by the time you're finished, you may well have forgotten you painted yourself and will get some unexpected, well… feedback from your people.

Oh, my 3. Dan makeup was a happy eye and a sad eye inspired by the Commedia dell’arte. Of my two friends, one applied a gothic style makeup, the other one looked like a pick-up artist. Still, the exam was pretty intense.

Yours

Till

Hello all. A couple of questions.

I have a script which will be pitched here ( hopefully). Now I see there are various ways to write a text message and phone calls on a script.

If I follow the way to do so which is documented in books etc, it is fine but it may look 'clunky' as I saw it described in a tutorial online. For example:

She finishes eating. Her phone buzzes. She fishes it out of her pocket.

On her phone:

Vivian: what color? ??

Penelope: red

Scene action is written here. The phone goes back in the pocket.

I know there are a few other ways to do so.

When pitching on Stage 32, is there a particular format only that should be used such as the above?

Or, are other ways accepted so long as it is streamlined throughout the script?

I also wondered if this is done numerous times in the script, it may seen as unnecessary and too much.

Obviously you use other ways such as like show an actor reading a text on a phone and reacting.

My other question: if and when pitching, does the writer utilise spelling according to their own country or that of the professional they are pitching too ie USA?

Thank you in advance.

Do people think that mental illness represented the right way in film. I have a screenplay that’s from personal experiences with the mental health system and the mental illness I have called paranoid schizophrenia plus it’s a comedy.

Hello All You Stage 32er's,

Wishing you all a very Happy Weekend for October Introduce yourself.

Always looking to connect with all you creatives - Directors, Producers, Writers, Cinematographers etc.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6272893/

Wishing you All Health and Happiness.

Stay Safe, healthy and above all - HAPPY!

Do what you love to do and Create Some Magic!

Morrison James

Almost 50 years ago I started writing scripts in a whole new genre. It seemed like no one wanted to make films that were so different than the standard fare. The tried-and-true entertainment formula seemed the safest way for the studios and major production companies.

Today, it is even less original, with remakes and sequels flooding the marketplace. Even though the major players in the industry are floundering, dropping projects every day, and some merging or even going out of business, they don't seem to have a new path.

That is the path that I am developing but cannot do it alone. My plan has always been to make movies that matter, films that can change the world for the better.

Hopefully, here in Stage 32 I will find others who feel the same way and we can make those movies together.

Hello... I am Amin from Tehran... a screenwriter, I am developing an old idea into a screenplay...

"When undercover cop Joseph, posing as a security guard, falls ill, his beautiful manager Beauty nurses him back to health, but their blossoming romance is threatened when his true identity is revealed, testing loyalty, trust, and the thin line between duty and love."

FACADE

"Undercover Heart"

Joseph, a dedicated undercover police officer, and his partner Melvin, assume new identities as security guards to infiltrate a corrupt organization. However, Joseph's mission takes an unexpected turn when he contracts sepsis and is nursed back to health by Beauty, the compassionate security manager.

As Beauty cares for Joseph, they develop a deep connection, and she begins to fall in love with him. Unaware of his true identity, Beauty's feelings intensify, complicating Joseph's mission and his own emotions.

When Joseph's sepsis diagnosis worsens, Beauty's devotion puts her own life at risk. As Joseph struggles to reconcile his duty with his growing feelings, he must confront the consequences of his deception.

Will Joseph choose loyalty to his mission or loyalty to his heart? Can Beauty forgive Joseph's lies and the danger they bring? As the truth unravels, Joseph and Beauty must navigate the thin line between love, loyalty, and survival.

Super happy to say that Mark Lederkramer and sealed a deal today for his terrific crime/mob/drama based on his true story. This one is right up my alley and I can't wait to dig in.

Hi Everybody!

My name is Ashley Smith and I’m Head of Community here at Stage 32!

Prior to joining this incredible team, I spent nearly 7 years at a boutique development and talent management company where I was deeply involved with every development project, management client, and administrative aspect of running the company. I oversaw a rich development slate of films, ongoing series, and limited series across genres and developed projects for Amazon, Sony TV, FX, Universal TV, Paramount TV, Legendary Global, MGM, A&E, Concord Originals, and many others.

Here at Stage 32, I’m honored to oversee this fantastic Community. As well as the daily Blog, weekly AMAs, monthly in-person Meetups, and numerous volunteer efforts to make your time here at Stage 32 as helpful and resourceful as possible. It’s always my goal to bring you all exciting resources and information to help you network, connect, and learn more about various disciplines and processes within the entertainment industry. I’d love to know what you all enjoy most about being a part of the Stage 32 community, what you’d like to see more of, the kind of AMAs that you’d like to see in the lounges, and the type of blog topics that you would enjoy!

Now that it's finally FALL, what are your favorite activities or traditions for this time of year? I love all things Halloween, so I get excited to get my fall decorations out, go to haunted houses, ride roller coasters at Six Flags Fright Fest, gobble up Trader Joe's fall snacks, drink hot apple cider, and watch non-stop Halloween and Horror movies. On Halloween every year we watch Hocus Pocus, and on Thanksgiving, my husband and I cook a feast while watching our favorite Thanksgiving movies all day long. What about you?

Don’t be a stranger! I look forward to connecting with you all.

Hi everyone! I’m excited to make my first post here on Stage32. My name is Habib, and I specialize in writing screenplays centered around African historical events, with a strong focus on rich cultural narratives. I'm currently seeking an agent who can represent me as I work to bring these stories to a global audience.

If anyone has advice on connecting with representation or would be open to collaboration, I’d love to connect and share more about my work. Looking forward to being part of this community!

Best regards,

Habib