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Hey everyone! I wanted to congratulate our fellow community members who had scripts requested through Stage 32 pitch sessions over the last 2 weeks. We are thrilled for the opportunities for the following writers to have their scripts requested by Writ-Large, Little Studio Films, Propagate Content,...
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How’s everyone doing with their goals? I reached my second goal (outline and write a Horror/Comedy short script called Ghost Roach). I also reached my third goal (outline a Horror/Action/Zombie feature script). My main goal is to finish a Holiday Horror feature script that I already outlined (a scri...
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Maurice Vaughan excellent news, Maurice. That’s great progress.
Thank you, Dawn Prato!
Thanks, Geoff Hall! I'm down to the last 8 pages.
Maurice Vaughan ah, you've got this, Maurice. Huzzah!
Thank you, Geoff Hall! I plan on getting some of the last pages done at today's NWC Writing Sprint.
No, this post isn't about pie. What's your favorite way to start a script? A lot of action, a mystery, slow burn, etc. My favorite way is to show the monster/villain, giving the audience a taste (of pie) of what's gonna happen in the story. And you can tell me what's your favorite pie (for Thanksgiving or in general).
Haha Scott Sawitz. Start with a big action sequence that I can hum to a song. I like that! I'll try it.
I love my pumpkin and apple pies!
Hey, Jason Boyer. Apple pie is my favorite. I like pumpkin pie, but I haven't had it in a while. What's your favorite way to open a script?
Maurice Vaughan Of course tasting one of those sweet pies to bring a nicely intro on paper. :) Love to have opening scenes to create a huge feeling for the story. Happy Thanksgiving to you! Always gre...
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Happy Thanksgiving, Evelyn Von Warnitz and everyone who celebrates it!
“This Thanksgiving, my invitation is to pause and consider the role gratitude plays in your writer’s journey. Gratitude is not just a feel-good emotion; it is the way, the path to navigating challenges, strengthening your resilience, and fueling your process. Think of gratitude as your superpower.”...
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A Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Thank you to all for being a wonderful, supportive group willing to give as well as receive from each other. It makes my journey, a writer's journey. exciting and helpful. I hope I provide the same for you here on Stage 32 and beyond. Be safe and be well.
The last Writing Sprint for November Write Club! Stage 32’s Community Manager, Karen “Kay” Ross, will be hosting the sprint on Zoom November 27th at 12:00 pm PT/3:00 pm ET!
The event is open to Writer’s Room members. If you’re not a member yet, you can sign up for your first month of membership FREE...
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Hopefully I'll be able to join! Thanks for the reminder, as always :)
You're welcome, Dawn Prato. Hope you're able to join! And hope you have a great day and Thanksgiving!
I like to really go into detail with a feature script outline. I’ll come up with a logline, the theme, a three-second pitch, the number of characters, number of locations, character bios, details about the location(s), the rules of the world, story beats, etc. If I’m outlining a short script, I’ll d...
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I google locations, come up with characters and character psychology, and study themes too, Arthur Charpentier. I also look at photos and videos when I'm outlining scripts, like virtual house tours....
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My outlines can run pretty long. I write more of scriptments though than pure synopsis style outlines. My longest was 43 pages in a Google doc. But the average is usually 8-10 pages.
My outlines used to run really long, Pat Alexander. Like 60 pages and more. I used to add things that I didn't need. My outlines are close to 8-10 pages now. Sometimes 15-20 if I need to figure out ex...
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I do the same thing, Mike Boas. Multiple passes on outlines and plot synopses. That helps me figure out things in the story and find plot holes, and that helps me organize things so it's easy to find...
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I just wanted to say that if you are a first time screenwriter, thinking about connecting with your chosen producer or production company that this is a great article by Jason Mirch. Bookmark it for future reference as it gives you a game plan to get your script out there.
This caught my eye as a pot...
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Thanks everyone for chiming in on the blog. I sincerely hope it has been helpful. Geoff, let me expand on the point about "how you plan to raise money or secure distribution." This may come a shock to...
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Jason Mirch thanks Jason, that makes more sense. Finding a home will be an easier concept for writers to grasp than finding the finance.
I've definitely had the "oh so it's fantasy, so it's expensive" (near verbatim) during pitches before. While it did give me an opportunity to ease their worries about a potential budget, I've definite...
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Dawn Prato hi Dawn, I’m definitely keeping my more expensive projects, for further down the line.
As we move into awards season, I'm wondering if anyone has a favorite screenplay so far this year or even a list of their top 3-5? My favorite screenplay so far is Conclave, with big shout-outs to The Wild Robot, Inside Out 2, Dune 2, and Wicked Little Letters.
Hi, Brian Smith. My favorite script this year is a spec script from a writer I met recently. It's the scariest, creepiest script I've read! It’s like a Black WRONG TURN and HILLS HAVE EYES story on st...
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Arcane Season 2, Episode 7- “Pretend Like It’s The First Time”, Saturday Night, and Dune 2.
Maybe "Past Lives", dont really know. But that's from a year ago.
I'd love to find a copy of "We Live In Time", with Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh.
Often my favorite movies of the year are about cinematic style, not the writing.
That said, I thought the scripts for Love Lies Bleeding and Rebel Ridge were exceptional.
I also just saw a couple film...
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If you weren't able to join the Writer's Room AMA yesterday or you want to watch it again, here's the recording: www.stage32.com/webinars/Thankful-for-the-Community-with-Richard-RB-Botto...
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This was a wonderful AMA, opportunity to hear RB's notes from the field!
Great session yesterday! Thank you RB for your insights and optimism, and Amanda for hosting. Looking forward to the next AMA!
Screenwriting Lounge, how are you? Click the link below for a FREE MONTH of the Writers Room and tune in tomorrow Wednesday November 20th at 4pm PST, we will be joined on the WR Webcast by the incredibly experienced producer and all around good dude Jack Binder. Jack has produced such films as Paul...
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This was an absolute joy to be a part of and thank you for the invitation Nick Phillips & @RB. Great questions from the group!
In my storytelling, creating the ultimate antagonist requires depth, complexity, and a connection to your protagonist or the central theme of your story.
Here’s my breakdown that I use as a guideline:
1. A clear motivation It could be personal ambition, love, revenge, fear, ideology, or even a warpe...
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That's a great breakdown to use when outlining/writing a script, DD Myles! My fav "Ultimate Antagonist" movie is Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives because Jason gets supernatural powers and he's ne...
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D A Stenard Don't give up. You will find the perfect match for you. I also had a pitch that was perfect—all 5—and the producer told me he loved it, but he was looking for horror and not female-driven....
Expand commentD A Stenard Don't give up. You will find the perfect match for you. I also had a pitch that was perfect—all 5—and the producer told me he loved it, but he was looking for horror and not female-driven. I move on. Sometimes this happens. I also had a four-pitching session. Two requested, two passed. One of the producers said it's the most unique and amazing story she heard in her professional life, but for her, my target audience doesn't have traction. I know my target audience has lots of traction, but its the producer vision, and I respect that. Keep going, you'll find it!
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You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. Congratulations! Hope you continue having success!
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Thank you, my friend Maurice Vaughan step by step :)
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You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia.
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Here's to continued success to the writers who gained those script requests and meeting requests!