Hello Dreamers! Nice to meet you.
My name is David. I’m a former journalist and movie critic attempting to become a professional screenwriter. I haven’t picked a particular niche yet, as I have a pilot that’s a sci-fi comedy, an action script based on a true story, and an elevated Comedy/Dramedy. The action script is an outlier as I prefer to blow up cliches, not jungles, planes and people – but that story fell into my lap and has historical significance, so the story demanded I write it, and when a story speaks to me, I listen. Things SEEM to be trending in the right direction and Stage 32 is playing an important role.
I’m going to shoot ya straight. This place… is f’n great. I originally came here after I googled a formatting question. Then discovered that you could verbally pitch lots of accomplished and interesting people. At that point, I hadn’t even realized that you could participate in all sorts of conversations in the various lounges, make friends and learn hacks with everyday food and appliances you already have in your home! Hmmm… I think I just conflated Stage 32 with Facebook Stories.
Being a writer often feels like a lonely and frustrating vocation. Stage 32 fixes that issue, if you allow it to. There’s so much great free advice here and plenty of people who’ve succeeded who are willing to share what worked for them. It goes without saying, but when you participate in conversations, you make friends and find like-minded people whose journey may reflect yours. If you can afford it, The Writer’s Room is an outstanding resource, BUT the pitching. THE PITCHING. If you’re open to it, I HIGHLY recommend buying pitches (I’m team Skype/Phone). Before buying pitches, attend, participate or watch Pitch Practice… then attend, participate or watch The Pitch Tank.
There are other platforms that offer access for pitching, but you don’t get the type of feedback you get here – and it’s not even close. Feel free to reach out to me if you hear more about my experience or if you’re just looking to discuss writing.
Have fun!
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Hey, David Blaustein. Being a writer does feel like a lonely and frustrating vocation sometimes. When those two things strike, I'll hop on Stage 32, and they'll eventually go away. If you (or anyone) ever feel lonely/frustrated and need to talk, feel free to message me.
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David Blaustein There can never be enough former journalists here. ;) So great to meet another.
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Hey there, David!
You've summed up perfectly what I liked the most about Stage 32. A lot of similar reasons there, even though I can't always afford pitch sessions or coverage.
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Nice to meet you, Debbie Elicksen! Journalists... we're natural storytellers!
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Maurice Vaughan Yes! I find reading articles and group discussions is a great way to start my day. It's a reminder that everything you go through as a writer, somebody else went through it before you or is going through it now. Also, thank you for being -- for my money -- THE BEST member of this community!
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Marcel Nault Jr. I've missed out on a few sessions I would've liked to have participated in for that very reason. Still, this place is great. Nice to meet you!
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You're welcome, David Blaustein. I don't know about the BEST member. Maybe top 75. Or 100.
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Hi David, I would recommend that you not try to find a niche. I've written a Family film, Sci-Fi Political Satire, and Rom-Com ghost story. Although the genres vary there are consistent themes of environmental concerns, community collaboration, and the afterlife. Consider the great screenwriter William Goldman -- four great screenplays and all very different: Marathon Man, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride, and Misery. Write On!
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Kristina Van Kirk Hoffman Yes! I prefer not to be boxed into a genre or even a style. I just want to tell good stories. William Goldman is one of my favorite screenwriters! You wrote a Rom-Com ghost story? I think i would like to read that!
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Thank you for taking the time to reintroduce yourself to the community, David Blaustein! I'm so happy you've been enjoying your experience here in the Stage 32 community! People can truly get out of it every bit of what they put in. I can tell that your moment will come and thanks to all the hard work you're putting in, you'll be ready! =)
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Thank you for the kind words Ashley Renee Smith! What I've learned here, particularly about pitching, has been priceless. More importantly, this community is fantastic. You do a great job!
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I think your genre versatility is very cool David Blaustein! It's important for a writer to be able to move in and out of genres!
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Nick Phillips ! First, your last Pitch Tank was fantastic (feedback after reading the four scripts). I thought it was so great I immediately applied to be part of your next session... but I went back to my pitch, made a slight adjustment based on what I watched, did two pitch sessions, and both turned into requests (One I got back - the other was this past weekend and he told me he was requesting the script). The one I got back was all 5s! I felt like Nadia Comaneci! Shout out to John Mezes as I applied some of his wisdom to my pitch, too... THANK YOU. Yeah, I believe if I started screenwriting earlier in life, I probably would have a niche. Right now it feels like my life experience won't allow me to pick one lane, It's like that rare moment on the 405 at 3am when you can pick any lane you want and nobody's going to yell "You're not in New York anymore, asshole!" (that may or may not have happened to me).
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Congratulations on the script requests and perfect score, David Blaustein!
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Thank you Maurice Vaughan!
You're welcome, David Blaustein.
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Nice to meet you David Blaustein ! Love that your stories take on a life of their own! Can't wait to learn more about them!
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It's nice to meet you, too, Rachel Troche! I look forward to sharing them!