Screenwriting

From structure to content to representation to industry trends, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on the craft and business of screenwriting

Tom Batha
The one thing...

Does anyone pay attention to “concept” anymore? Like, the kind of thing where an exec can read the script and say “You know, this is crap writing, but that idea, that idea has legs.”

Or do execs prioritize other features of the script above “concept”?

Just wondering...

Pamela Jaye Smith

Good points above. And yet -- we humans do keep telling the same concepts over and over with different takes for different times. Researching my book and presentations on: "BEYOND THE HERO'S JOURNEY -...

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Kerson Raymond

I'd say don't worry about what an exec feels, wants, believes, and seeks. I believe every writer is different in the way they approach a subject, whether identical or not; just like we're all equipped...

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Todd Fabyanic

First, Nice post! In my opinion (if I may) I do not focus on anything industry when I write. My focus is on the Story/Script/Piece itself. I do not worry about opinions (That creates writer's block and disturbs the flow). In my opinion.

CJ Walley

Matthew Kelcourse, that's what reading the biographies really teaches you. What's revered now was typically rejected early on. The last chapter of my book is dedicated to critics that slammed the most popular films in movie making history.

Dan MaxXx

If you've been around this game long enough, you worked on duds, for whatever reasons.

Im old and I remember when Bonfire of the Vanities was considered the greatest novel of the 20th century. The writ...

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Maurice Vaughan
Coffee & Content: Mastering Visual Storytelling & The Multi-Hyphenate Mindset

Stage 32’s founder and CEO, Richard “RB” Botto, shares two videos in today’s blog.

In the first video, Every Frame a Painting explores the critical thought process behind camera placement.

In the second video, RB breaks down why embracing a multi-hyphenate mindset can be your greatest asset, how to...

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Maurice Vaughan
FREE Awards Season Script Giveaway!

Stage 32 is giving away 55 FREE scripts from this year’s top nominated movies for The Oscars, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and BAFTAs for you to read and study! Get the scripts here: https://mailchi.mp/stage32/oscarscripts...

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Awards Season 2025: Awards-Nominated Scripts
Awards Season 2025: Awards-Nominated Scripts
Hollywood "Awards Season" is one of the most exciting times of the year! The world's best actors and filmmakers step out in their finest fines to strut the red carpet amid the flashing lights and ador…
Laurie Ashbourne
A character study from Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde

For 13 years she has served as Washington D.C’s first female diocesan bishop. She is the Bishop of Washington’s National Cathedral and as part of her dominion tradition, she held a service for the incoming President. No matter your faith or what country you live in, her words and request of that ser...

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Colin Mummery

Mariann Edgar Budde showed us what true moral courage looks like.

Mike Childress
To Flashback or Not to Flashback...That is the Question...

Howdy Peeps,

It's me, Mike, again coming in hot with my burning screenwriting questions!

I don't get the general aversion to flashbacks. Almost every article, post, book section, etc. rails against them. Trottier, in The Screenwriter's Bible is basically like, 'They almost never work, avoid them'. Yet...

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Claude Gagne

Long or short flashbacks do you use, John C. Bounds ?

John C. Bounds

Claude Gagne If I do they are short.

Bill Brock

John C. Bounds I also enjoy writing flashbacks. My lengths are either long or short, depending on what I need to convey in order to keep the story pushing forward. Example (long): I’ve written a femal...

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Philip David Lee

The best utilization of a constant use of flashbacks was the 1972 Kung Fu series. Second place, 2012's Arrow. Use those two shows as prime examples and you can never go wrong. For a single feature fil...

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Mike Childress

Philip David Lee Oh man I loved watching reruns of the original Kung Fu although still a bit miffed Sifu Bruce Lee didn't get the starring role. In fact when people ask what I do for a living I often...

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Leonardo Ramirez
New Blog post: My Stage 32 Story: Venturing Out Of My Lane in Year 2

Hey creative family - just wanted to share my latest blog post. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and comment...

So I’ve now made it to year two in my journey with Stage 32 and what a journey it’s been! As I mentioned in my year one post, I enjoy reflecting in order to stay positive on th...

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Leonardo Ramirez

Thanks Mark Deuce - really means a lot. Hope you're doing great!

Mark Deuce

Doing great Leonardo Ramirez and hope that your year is off tp a great start!

Leonardo Ramirez

It is Mark Deuce. Just put together some scripts samples for voiceover. We'll see what happens.

Sam Rivera

what a great share and blog written! appreciate your openness to how you were able to explore your horizons!

Leonardo Ramirez

Thanks so much Sam Rivera. Means a lot!

Pat Alexander
WINNER ANNOUNCED: 11th Annual Search for New Blood Contest

Congratulations to the winner of this year's Search for New Blood Contest, Travis J. Opgenorth, who won with his supernatural horror script THE WHISPERERS!

Logline: When a psychic reading causes his wife to end her life, a skeptic ex-cop makes it his mission to debunk spiritualists, until he encounte...

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Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations, Travis!!! THE WHISPERERS sounds thrilling!

Pat Alexander
Extended Deadline Today: 9th Annual Comedy Feature Screenwriting Contest

Hey friends, today is the Extended Deadline for the 9th Annual Comedy Feature Screenwriting Contest. Among this year's judges, we have execs from Hartbeat Productions, Miramax, and American High, alongside producers from movies like OLD DADS, JOY RIDE, and INGRID GOES WEST! So now is the time to bre...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Join Us for the Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up – LIVE on Instagram!

Get ready for another exciting Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up this Friday at 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET with Stage 32's Head of Community, Ashley Smith, and Community Manager / Writer's Room Producer, Kay Ross!

We'll be covering all the amazing things happening right here on Stage 32 – from upcoming events...

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Maurice Vaughan

I'm looking forward to the Community Wrap-Up, Ashley Renee Smith! They're always fun and helpful!

Ashley Renee Smith

If you missed today's Instagram Live, you can watch the full video HERE: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFOE8lWyVLz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&......

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Maurice Vaughan
Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up

Join us LIVE on Instagram today at 10:00 A.M. PST/1:00 P.M. EST. We’ll be talking industry news, creative inspiration, and how to get YOUR script sold this year!

Go to Instagram NOW to make sure you’re following the @stage32 and @stage32scripts accounts so you’re ready to join us.

Maurice Vaughan

If you missed today's Wrap-Up or you want to watch it again, here's the link: www.instagram.com/reel/DFOE8lWyVLz

Maurice Vaughan
Writers’ Room AMA – All Day Today!

Karina Wilson, Writer, Story Consultant, and Former Story & Development Analyst for IM Global (SECRET IN THEIR EYES, THE CIRCLE, 13 SINS), is hosting an exclusive AMA all day in the Writers’ Room Lounge, answering questions about “Important Worldbuilding Elements”!

Questions like:

What are the world...

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