Introduce Yourself

Awesome post, Joe Cooke. It’s great to meet you here in the community. What’s THE SPREAD about, if you’re open to sharing?

Sam Sokolow

The Spread: When a global pandemic creates a violent subspecies of humans, a preschool teacher and an AI-enhanced sexbot must team up to stop a megalomaniac from destroying the remnants of civilization.

I first came up with this idea in 2018 when I was undergoing cancer treatment, so it pre-dates COVID ha ha.

I finished it a couple of years ago and it's been in rewriting hell since then.

Sam Sokolow I saw someone in the news today predict that Trump's strategy if he is elected will be a "scorched Earth" scenario (retaliation against his political opponents) and that's exactly the terminology I used in The Spread except the villian is a meglomaniac dictator (he was President when the Spread happened) and his scorched Earth scenario was nuclear. I just found that interesting. I've pulled out my 2021 version of the script to rewrite. I didn't really like any of the prior rewrites, despite trying to work in all the feedback.

It's often said that the Mission of Creatives is to perceive and present the Future. And often with that presentation, Creatives help shaped the actual real-world future. I've always like the Ageless Wisdom phrase for where Creatives get our inspirations -- from the "Raincloud of Knowable Things".

Welcome and a very good introduction. There is nothing better than a good story.

Preston Poulter Interesting. I’ll check it out. Did the publisher give their reasons for why they banned it?

Oh ok. Thanks for explaining, J.R Meek. I just looked up some more Dark Fantasy movies, and one article says "Edward Scissorhands" is a Dark Fantasy. It's been a long time since I've seen that movie, but I do remember it dealing with heavy subject matter that's only suitable for adults, like being looked at/being treated a certain way because a person is different. Well, that's suitable for teens too

J.R Meek TSR, the then publisher of D&D, never provided an official statement. Jean Wells, the author, said she was called into Gary Gygax's office and asked, "Why did you put S&M in a children's book?"

Maurice Vaughan It depends on the teen. Ratings and suitability is subjective, it really depends on the individual. I know a lot of kids including myself where we watched movies meant for adults.

Preston Poulter That would make for a funny answer from the author.

Hi Hank Isaac! Thanks for sharing! Anything cool you're working on that you can share?

The website is great Hank Isaac! An impressive way to market yourself!

Hi Hank Isaac , happy IYW! Good looking website - it's a great tool for taking control of your own career. I'm curious, what is an exhibit designer and how did you come about that?

Hello Hank! Nice to meet you!

Niki H: Hi! An "exhibit designer" designs exhibits. Everything from trade shows to museums -- just display or interactive as well -- to pretty much anything else the public gets to see.

Many thanks for your kind suggestions !

You're welcome, Federico Wardal.

“ Fellini Mastorna …a film of no return “ by Jennifer Glee , with Wardal , the most short film awarded 2023-2024 reached its 50th award today ! https://indiexfest.com/2023/09/15/fellini-mastorna-a-film-of-no-return/

"Fellini Mastorna…a film of no return" sounds interesting, Federico Wardal. Congratulations to you and the team on winning 50 awards! That's really impressive!

Thxs. Well , in few words, this is because of my special friendship with the film legend #FedericoFellini studied in all universities in the world. Yes, for example, in SF at the screening of the film, there was an ovation, last November 2023. Now my rates are considerably high, but even before the movie they were lol. In any case, in July I will shoot a feature film written for me, with a well-known Italian director who wanted to make me some videos about when I celebrated my friend #FrankSinatra for Sinatra 100, in SF with #TonyBennett https://youtu.be/-jSygtZhFCk?si=H6kCDXY_JY4Fk2Ya

Welcome to the community, Ben Henning. You can connect with producers, directors, writers, actors, etc. all over the world on Stage 32. Here are some great blogs on networking: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41

Hello Ben Henning and welcome to Stage32, you'll certainly meet a lot of great people here. If you haven't yet definitely check out the screenwriting lounge and The Writer's Room if writing is your wheelhouse.

https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting

https://www.stage32.com/writers-room

I'm loving Will Trent, really Betty, the dog, but a great show!

Leonardo Ramirez, Foundation is SO good!

Ok cool, Ashley Renee Smith I’ll shoot for starting it next weekend.

Thanks for sharing Niki H! I've recently started SUPERSTORE and TOKYO VICE!

Ooh, great recommendations here! Thanks everyone :)

Welcome to the community, Kristina Van Kirk Hoffman!

Hi Kristina, it's lovely to meet you! Thank you for sharing, I am not familiar with Stacey Simmons work; I'll check her out. With a title like Persephone, I imagine her work and input would be a great tool for you! I second Emily's like of The Heroine's Journey.

Hello Kristina Van Kirk Hoffman, thanks for the recommendation of Stacey Simmons' work and writings, will need to familiarize myself!

Simmons recommended both Maureen Murdock's and Carol Peason's books. I intend to check them out.

Hey Kristina Van Kirk Hoffman I'll have to check her out, I'm not familiar with her work, but you can never have too much understand on how to write good characters.

Hello!

Great to meet you, John Hetherington. What helps me to focus and follow through with my writing are deadlines. And being encouraged by people, like here on Stage 32. What about you?

Hey buddy. Nice to have you here! For me it's all about having a plan. When I'm confident about the structure and story framework, it becomes less hard for me sit down and write, because I know where I am going and where the finishing line is.

hello John

Hi Tom, welcome!

Geoff Hall A lot of my work has actually been lost but thankfully, Script Revolution saved 4 of my scripts before I brought them over here. Currently, Final Draft isn't working so I need to get that fixed.

Amanda Toney I actually remember you from a couple of years ago and thanks for the welcome. I write in the Drama, Romance, History and Fantasy genres with a bit of Comedy thrown in, although due to how subjective that is I don't know if it's actually funny.

To everybody else, thank you for the warm welcome too.

You're welcome, Tom Norton. Did you contact Final Draft about your program not working?

https://www.stage32.com/MauriceVScreenwriter I've tried to but I forgot my password and Final Draft is being stubborn about retrieving it. I'll get through sooner or later but I don't know how long it will take.

Ok, Tom Norton. Hope you get in soon. And you can reply directly to someone by putting @ in front of their name.

John Mezes Hi John, I agree - we can never have too many allies in our creative lives. The Garden of Eden sounds intriguing. The title has such an historical weight to it.

I wish you all the best for your family/fantasy collaboration. I find it hard to write family-friendly fare, as my writerly impulse is towards the apocalyptic and urban fantasy genres. My latest ‘American’ TV pilot, falls into the former genre. I’m sitting on it at the moment, as I have a feature in development. What advice would you give on managing multiple projects? Where is best to place your energies, so that you don’t spread yourself too thin?

Thank you, Amanda , for the efforts you and the Staff of Stage 32 put forth each and every time in helping us. It's truly remarkable. I am a BIG supporter of you and your career as well because when you give of yourself, and create an environment to spread that selflessness to others, then how can you not wish the best for that person. It's the payoff for the effort.

Hi Geoff Hall! Always nice to chat with you. Here's the logline for Garden of Eden to sum it up.

Attempting to save his career, a self-destructive actor scarred by personal tragedy travels to a foreign country to star in a film and falls victim to a dangerous criminal dating agency while also finding a forbidden love.

Garden of Eden = Adam = self destructive actor = Eve = criminal dating agency = dangerous temptation. That's the tie-in.

Those genres of yours sound like fun to write in. Best of luck with the feature too.

I always say "follow those voices telling you what to write". We have our strengths and favorite genres to write in. I'm a "stacker", which means I work on multiple scripts during the same week, week in and out, 2-3 hours a day. My formula is I work on a different script per day. My current schedule is:

Monday: Nightmare Doll (horror feature)

Tuesday: The Timekeeper's Cottage (fantasy/drama TV pilot)

Wednesday: Headstones (Whodunit Drama/Suspense TV pilot)

Thursday: A Weekend With Grandpa (Horror feature)

Friday: Till Morning (Fantasy/Rom Com/Drama feature)

Saturday & Sunday: That''s open to how the creative voices are speaking to me. I might pursue a certain script more than one day.

This way not one of my projects get short-changed, and I'm not overwhelmed. During the week, I'm also running my script consulting/pitch coaching business as well.

John Mezes no one could ever accuse you of leading a quiet life, John! Thanks for the insights into your practice. Your script consulting service? Please tell me more.

Haha, that's true Geoff Hall! Sure thing, it's The Writers Buddy.com website. I offer 1 hour script consultations through Zoom. I review formatting and story notes on a submitted script and the sessions are recorded so you can review them whenever you like. You can visit the site and see if it's a fit for you.

It's great to meet you, Joanne Mule. I love listening to jazz, especially saxophone.

I didn't see much on your profile. Here's a blog you might wanna check out: www.stage32.com/blog/take-the-work-out-of-networking-the-importance-of-a...