Introduce Yourself : Olivia Traversi by Olivia Traversi

Welcome to Stage 32, Olivia Traversi. There's so much to do in this community. Here's a great blog about navigating the platform: www.stage32.com/blog/navigating-stage-32-for-your-best-experience-3095

Stage 32 has a Romantic Comedy Screenwriting Contest going on: www.stage32.com/happy-writers/contests/2nd-Annual-Romantic-Comedy-Screen...

Welcome Olivia! Nice to meet you. Glad you're here.

I lovvvvvve a good romcom! Who has inspired you most when it comes to writing? Nancy Meyers has been one of my biggest inspirations :)

Thank you so much Maurice! I just submitted my latest screenplay to this competition. So excited, and really appreciate the heads up!

Marguerite, I love Nancy Meyers too! My biggest inspirations have been Richard Curtis (Love Actually is an all-timer for me), and Aaron Sorkin, as he's written some of my favorite dialogue of all time in The American President, The West Wing, and Newsroom. Easy A is one of my favorite movies and biggest inspirations as well!

And thank you Matthew! Great to meet you too.

Maurice Vaughan Matthew Parvin

Welcome, Olivia! Sounds like you have some great traction on your projects. When you get settled, be sure to hit up our Development Team. They can point you in the right direction on all the resources we have here. Drop them an email at success@stage32.com - Cheers!

You're welcome, Olivia Traversi. That's great! I hope you win!

Richard "RB" Botto Thank you, that's amazing! I will absolutely reach out to them today. Much appreciated!

Most welcome. They're one hell of a team. All writers and producers themselves.

RB, how does Stage 32 handle 1st time writers compared to say a writer who has 24 features and 4 TV pilots? I need guidance to find a great rep without it costing an arm & a leg. Is that possible? thx

"You had me at irreverent!" I also love that you're comfortable and confident when it comes to dialogue!

Ha! Love the ref, Bill. Let me know if you're ever interested in reading one!

You bet. I'll read the "snarkiest" please!

Hey Michael. First we have to define what you mean by "1st time writer". If you mean someone who only has one script, that writer should not be looking for representation. Even if that first script is a staggering work of genius (which 99.99999999999% is not the case), the next question from any rep will be "What else ya got?". Reps want to know that you're not a one trick pony. I would highly suggest having 3 well received and reviewed screenplays before even attempting to get a rep.

If you're talking a more green writer vs someone with 24 features, I would highly suggest writing the Dev Team as well. We have massive amount of free resources on this platform built over the last 12 years.

And remember, this is a relationship business. You get reads by winning champions. Networking and relationship building is free. But you have to embrace the long game and put in the work, which most creatives, to their overall detriment, do not. But those who do have a massive competitive advantage.

RB thx for your reply. I'm the one who has written 24 features & 4 TV pilots. In 2022 I won 3 contests with 3 different scripts in 3 different genres. I need a rep that will peruse some of these stories and run with them. Every rep I've had in the past we're one trick ponies and I'm not going down that road again. Thx for everything you're doing and good luck with your projects. Sincerely, Michael.

Completely understand the one trick pony issue. More common these days than not, unfortunately. Ali, who is our Executive Liaison here on Stage 32 is working on bringing dozens of new managers and agents here in addition to the hundreds we work with already. Keep in touch with her and the Dev Team and I'm sure they can help you find your match.

Worth noting, many of these managers are extremely active here on this platform. Some post quite often, some look at loglines and posts and reach out organically. I just heard from one of our long time members this morning who got signed off of Stage 32 by a manager who liked some of his posts, looked at his loglines, requested two scripts, had a meeting with him and, boom, they're taking one of his projects out next week.

This is for all viewing this thread...Be visible, be active, be selfless, contribute and don't hide in the shadows. Keep your bio current. Always be putting your best face forward. You never know who's paying attention and who might have interest.

Wishing you all the best with your projects, Michael, and truly appreciate all your kind words. Cheers.

Welcome, Olivia Traversi! Love the enthusiasm you exude. Be sure to add script loglines to your profile for all to see.

Will do, Ty! Thanks :)

Hi Olivia! Thank you so much for intruding yourself. Your post sparked an incredible thread! Look forward to hearing from you. Like RB said feel free to email us at success@stage32.com. We’re always happy to help!

Liv!! I'm so glad you've joined the Stage 32 community!

You should definitely check out the Screenwriting Lounge where you can join discussions with other writers, pose questions that you may have, update the community about your projects, and share news/announcements that interest you. It's a great way to connect with other screenwriters from New York and all around the world!

You can find the lounge through the toolbar at the top of your browser window. Simply click on "Lounge", which will direct you to a new page listing all of the current lounges available to you. Then select "Screenwriting". I hope to see you over there!

Hi GiGi Raines ! I just sent an e-mail to you guys yesterday, and can't wait to hear back and start working with you all! Thank you so much :)

Thanks Ashley!! I'm so happy you introduced me to this. I will definitely be browsing around the screenwriting lounge and connecting with folks. Thank you and see you there!!

If you can master 9 act structure, you sound like a slam dunk for Hallmark and Lifetime

Thanks David! I'll take what I can get, but I'll be honest-- I can't stand the cookie-cutter rom-coms! I am much more interested in those like Crazy Stupid Love, The American President, Bridget Jones's Diary, Easy A... those are some of my favorites that break the mold and elevate the genre a bit more.

You need to read my Rom entitled 'Scrooge'S Folly - Saving Jacob Marley.' Available at Amazon and Bookstores everywhere on May 23rd...definitely not Hallmark.

I'd love to! I've posted one so far on my account if you'd like to check it out as well. Can't wait to read!

It's a great logline...Is the screenplay posted? Love to read it.

David, yes! I've posted Someone New, you should be able to download it. I've also posted Among Friends, which is more of a coming-of-age comedy. I hope you have a chance to check one or both of them out!

And I'm looking forward to reading yours when it hits the public!

I see all your loglines...but have no idea how to find scripts. I'd love to read one.

You can download a script by clicking "View screenplay" before the comment section, David.

Yes, what Maurice said! Please let me know if it doesn't work though, David.

Just downloaded. I'll read it over the next week...but no one in Hollywood will. It's way too long...especially for a RomCom. Anyone who goes over 100 pages better have a really good reason for doing so...past 107 and I think a seasoned reader would simply pass based on length. But brilliant writing trumps everything else.

Yes, it's a dialogue-forward script and it's pretty snappy-- I'm told it reads very quickly (and I agree)! But I'll leave it to you to decide your thoughts. I hear you on the length.

Admire your writing chops in this genre. It's a challenge getting dialogue in this genre just right.

Thank you Rick, I really appreciate that! What kind of scripts do you write?

I have a female driven drama with three young women as the central characters currently being shopped. Getting the buy in from a production company is always the biggest hurdle I find. My series is best suited for a premium cable audience. Also have pitched female lead reality show. Have you had anyone offer a deal for your work?

Olivia - I read the first five pages of "Someone New". Laughed at the Eastern European slouch line. Will endeavour to keep reading.

Richard Buzzell Thank you, that makes me so happy to hear lol! Had tons of fun writing this. Hope you enjoy the rest :)