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I've always wondered how many good scripts failed on the production side. Obviously I'm sure some weak scripts slip through the cracks, especially if penned by someone's cousin...

There's plenty of stories in various biographies mentioning exactly what Dan MaxXx describes. Brilliant scripts can fail. Terrible scripts can become brilliant. A lot of great directors owe a lot to their editors. They're called dream fixers for a reason.

I get to be on set and I get to be a big part of the editing process. It makes you pretty brutal and ruthless. I helped cut five minutes out of a first act only last week. Hours of passionate writing cast aside. It almost becomes masochistic.

You have to trust the process. It makes sense to overwrite and take risks, then see what is best left on the cutting room floor. Stuff you think will work doesn't. Stuff you think was a bad idea surprises you.

It teaches you to stop searching for perfection on the page.

Got to be rough cutting footage, some people can't even bare to cut lines from their scripts!

As a writer, It's my job to tell a story. So flash backs, intercuts, whatever it takes to get my story properly told and understood...is going to be used. A spec script is not my BABY. It is a road map to completing my vision. Nothing is set in stone. Anything can be changed/fixed/updated. I always give the same two words of advise. BE FLUID.

Mike Childress, I went through a baptism of fire on my first movie. It was like we were cursed on the shoot. Every day entailed a huge issue that couldn't be predicted or eliminated. That resulted in me tearing pages out the script over and over. Then we found out our first cut was half an hour too long and we had to butcher some more. I came out of that with a thousand yard stare and whole new attitude. You have to get something in the can and you have to deliver the most marketable movie possible. As Dan Maxxx rightly says, there's the movie you write, the movie you shoot, and the movie you edit.

This is why, when you see people fussing over FADE IN and "we see" you realise they aren't living in the same world as you.

It's kinda weird how the people who stridently reject the idea of any "rules" in screenwriting are also the people who insist that in order to succeed in the business aspiring screenwriters must follow other rules, such as maniacally networking, entering every competition and challenge, and paying reader services and consultants.

A few years ago a friend who I'd known for 20 years said I needed to face the FACTS that because of my age and location no one in Hollywood was ever going to be interested in my work. When I called him out on that he said it was just a FACT I should accept. It was the last conversation we ever had. If they won't support you they don't deserve you.

You're right, Bill Albert. People who got into screenwriting late and live all over the world have made careers for themselves. Sorry you lost a friend, but glad you didn't listen to what he was saying.

There is some validity to ageism targeting screenwriters: Good Old Days syndrome. Many old(er) writers refuse to progress beyond whatever era or period they consider to have been the peak. They churn out dated script after dated script, usually poorly-written, while whining about how everything new(er) is bad. One way to defeat ageism is to write well and keep it relevant.

Bill Albert I always tell people "Bram Stoker didn't write Dracula until he was fifty". Pretty sure if Stoker was resurrected tomorrow as a zombie (zombie vampire?) and had a killer story/script someone would be interested...

My own was featured in a Stage 32 blog on the topic. I found it quite hard to write one back when I first started and had no success stories to talk of.

My focus back then was on the type of material I liked to write and how I became the person I came to be. There's a lot of value in that.

Thanks CJ. That's really helpful. I'll see if I can find the blog too.

Hi, Kathryn Robinson. Great to meet you. I couldn't find CJ's blog, but I found these that might help:

www.stage32.com/blog/take-the-work-out-of-networking-the-importance-of-a...

www.stage32.com/blog/4-steps-to-writing-a-bio-that-gets-you-noticed-863

Thanks Maurice. I had a quick look too. This is really helpful.

You're welcome, Kathryn Robinson.

Welcome Louis. Currently watching cartel documentaries for research. It is fun to gather information from real life for a story that is fiction.

Hi, Louis-Philippe Lorange. Welcome to Stage 32. Here's a blog that'll help you navigate the platform: www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

What genres do you like writing?

Welcome.

Drongo Bum Still doesn't make it easy in itself. Not at all.

Writing a good screenplay is easy when you have know the techniques of good storytelling, which makes it easy to sell it. The hardest is to catch the attention of the right persons, the right studios.

Iannis Aliferis Most everyone wants great scripts. These are so rare that, when one surfaces, it usually attracts a lot of attention, eventually.

Erwann Uriac Sometimes a truly great script will slip through the cracks, but more often than not it will become a hot property. At the very least it will get noticed. Most screenplays are mediocre at best, but the majority are nowhere near as good as that. This is why the rare gems stand out.

Drongo Bum If most screenplays are mediocre, that is because 99% of writers don't learn how to write a story, they don't learn what makes a good story. It is way more easier to right a good story than to have it catching attention of the good persons.

48 script requests and 21 meeting requests! Congratulations!

Hey Sam Rivera That is just Amazing! Congratulations to all of the writers and the team @stage32. This is a truly unique opportunity for screenwriters!! Bravo!

Thanks! I got a script request and it made my day!

Is there a program for those with an idea for a tv script. With input? Susan Lipschutz

What a cool and valuable resource - reading scripts in it's own right is one of the most proactive and productive things screenwriters can so and and then seeing the films to decypher the choices the creative team made is equally valuable for filmmakers, actors, producers and anyone who works in any crew role. Wow. Thanks for sharing, Ashley Renee Smith!

Hi, Sam Sokolow. RB is right. It's time to think globally. I've gotten to the point where global is my default when I come up with script ideas. I still come up with domestic ideas though.

I'm looking forward to seeing Mickey 17. I think this is my first time hearing about most of the films in the article. I bookmarked the article. I'm going to keep an eye out for the films. Thanks for sharing.

Lining up to be an interesting film festival and market! Fingers crossed this kicks off the buying season for the year!

David Lynch was a fun guy, Willem Elzenga. One of the best ways to learn directing is to watch what directors do. Great share!

Very much like Picasso (albeit a better behaved person), Lynch emphasized maintaining the connection to one's childhood imagination as a path to creative wonder ad success. Man, the dude was cool.

Great post! Here is my tribute to David Lynch.

That's incredible, Richard Mark Bazley!

I am happy you liked Geoff Hall its a beautiful message :))

RIP, here here

It is Sandra Isabel Correia and something which resonates with me, deeply.

I know Geoff Hall :))

Sandra Isabel Correia bring it on!

As a dog owner who lives in an apartment complex, daily walks while listening to music are a constant part of my routine. It helps keep me sane. I love that you create your own music for those moments.

Here on Stage 32 we have a Lounge entirely devoted to Composing. You should jump in and feel encouraged to regularly share posts about the things that you're working on, what you're learning or doing differently/ for the first time, etc. It's a great place to share your knowledge and help others who are pursuing composing learn more.

You can find our Composing 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 the current lounges available. Then select "Composing".

Ashley Renee Smith Maurice Vaughan Thank you very much for your subscription and advices.

You're welcome, Alessandro Petacca.

Hi Alessandro Petacca - its great to see you here in the community. I really enjoyed listening to your music. I've added Fili dei, fili mi from your Meditations to my meditation playlist. Are there any films that you're working on in 2025 that you're excited about?

Hello Sam Sokolow Thank you very much for your appreciation, I loved composing Fili Dei Fili Mi, this is a very important piece for me. I'm not working on any film at the moment, but I'm waiting for a pitch outcome for a TV Show proof of concept I worked on in 2024 with 2 amazing producers.

That's fantastic Leigh Sheehan

Hi Debbie, Thanks. I think this is a fantastic platform for connecting with people in the business from around the world.

Hi Leigh! It's greatt to hear that you had a great experience, hope to see you have more in the future!

I always look to see who is seeking scripts, but not sure about it.

Hi Christopher, I figure worth the shot.