Trending Lounge Discussions

Congrats, Lee! I'm sure you're excited to see how it turns out.

congrats Lee Saalfeld on moving into the next phase of your story's journey! and love and appreciate the optimistic energy. From administering medicine for the body to administering medicine for the soul... I hope this is just one of your many stories you will share with everyone. Cheers

It's great to see you here, Lee Saalfeld! “The Machete And The Cross” is an absolutely amazing title! Whenever you have a script ot share, or if any other support can be helpful, I recommend reaching out to the Stage 32 Success Team at Success@Stage32.com. They are great at helping projects navigate to the best people in the community. I hope to see “The Machete And The Cross” in theaters!!

İnancıma göre, Allah her ruhun bu dünyaya gelmeden önceki yolunu bilir ve takdir eder. Bir insanın hayatta karşılaşacağı zorluklar, yaşayacağı hayat tarzı ve kendisine verilecek yetenekler veya fırsatlar O'nun bilgisi dahilindedir. Dolayısıyla, yazarlık, oyunculuk veya başka herhangi bir yetenek gerçekten birine bahşedilmişse, bu tesadüf değildir; kaderinin bir parçasıdır. Aynı zamanda, kişi yine de çabalama, seçimler yapma ve elinden gelenin en iyisini yapma sorumluluğuna sahiptir.In my belief, if it was written in my destiny before I was even sent into this world that I would join this platform, write and share a screenplay, and then receive an offer from a famous producer inviting me to Los Angeles, California to make that film, then it means this was already decreed for me before my soul ever came into this body. And if this is truly part of my destiny, then no power can prevent me from reaching it. What I mean is this: everything has its appointed time. If something is written in my destiny, it will happen when its time comes. So a person’s duty is to be patient and keep moving forward.

I absolutely agree that belief in destiny is essential.

At the same time, we are also responsible for making decisions, studying our steps, and using the we’ve been given to navigate our path.

That’s exactly why effort, awareness, and strategy still matter alongside faith.

Thank you for your thoughtful perspective — I agree with you to a great extent.

This is such a smart, thoughtful way to approach your projects Opaida. Sometimes you have something that is so great that you want to get to market, but it may not be the right time based on what the buyers are actually buying. Take all the time in the world you need and you will find your champion.

Thank you, Amanda — that’s a very valuable point.

You’re absolutely right, timing and what the market is looking for play a huge role, not just the strength of the project itself.

I’ll definitely focus more on that, especially finding the right person who truly believes in the project and can support it.

Amanda Toney Don’t we also have to think about timing in terms of how long it actually takes to make a film or TV series? A script might feel right for the moment now, but if it takes a couple of years to develop and produce, will it still land the same way? I imagine they’re often thinking a few years ahead since there are so many moving parts once something gets picked up. For example, my script is ripe for the picking now, however it will be even riper two years from now because of the subject I'm writing about. How are they thinking in this sense? =)

Wow, Curt Samlaska , you’ve been incredibly busy. Congratulations on everything you’ve been building, especially the success of Forgiving Retribution and the 56 festival awards. That’s a huge achievement. I’ll definitely check out the Director’s Notes video.

It sounds like you have a lot of exciting projects moving at once — The Reluctant First Gentleman, Jingle Bell Rock, and now The Waiting Room. I admire how you keep creating and pushing your ideas forward. And that medical device innovation is remarkable; what an impact that could have.

Wishing you all the momentum you need to get Jingle Bell Rock made. It’s beautiful to see someone so committed to their life’s passion.

Thank you so much, Charmane Wedderburn, that means a lot. It really is a powerful space to create from, and I love seeing other women stepping into that truth with such clarity and courage.

Liverpool should be a beautiful whirlwind, and I’m excited to soak it all in. Thank you for the good wishes.

I’d love to stay connected too. It’s always inspiring to walk alongside other creatives who are telling the stories that matter to them. Looking forward to seeing where your journey unfolds as well.

Sandra , I love that — it really is such a powerful space to be creating from.

I’m so excited for you, Liverpool sounds like such a beautiful moment in your journey .

And yes, I’d love to stay connected too — it feels really special to grow alongside women telling stories that truly matter .

Wishing you an amazing time there.

Me too, Charmane Wedderburn. Thank you for that and also, we wait for you at our Euro/UK Coverage Report on Thursday’s , me and Kay:))

Always great to follow your journey @sandra I know there's more to come for you - I'll stay tuned!

You and that Emmy look like perfect pals, Tyler Geis - I bet it's only a matter of time until you bring another home!

Thank you all so much for the kind words. If anyone on here wants to chat anytime soon about the creative process and whatever else, feel free to shoot me a DM. This Introduce Yourself Weekend is such a cool thing from Stage 32.

Congrats on your Emmy, Tyler!

Congrats on your Emmy! That's amazing.

Hey Tyler Geis congrats on your emmy.

What a fabulous story! You should be nominated for the next Oscars to stand out. Your journey is truly legendary!

Hi Bill McCormick - super cool tone video. And congrats on the anticipated completion this summer! I am curious about how the industry people you've connected with and how you yourself are looking at what AI developments can do for projects like yours. My novice take would be that it will get less expensive to produce sci-fi. Has that come into the conversation at all? cheers

“and I’ve never bitten anyone”

Hi, Elara Wright I'll be in touch.

Sebastian Tudores, I have had numerous discussions about using AI to develop production materials. If you click on the link I supplied, you can check out how we used AI for various aspects. However, it has been hard and fast that, so far, no one is willing to use AI for a public release. Two of the companies I am in contact with have made it clear they would sell their children before using AI commercially.

That said, I have seen some indie companies use AI quite effectively to elevate the production value of their projects.

Sandra , thank you so much… that really means a lot

Stepping into production feels like such a powerful shift, and hearing that from someone who understands it makes it even more meaningful.

I truly appreciate your support — it’s beautiful to be connected in this space.

Amazing journey you have so far - looking forward to seeing what happens for you next. Thank you for everything you do for the Stage 32 community :)

Thank you so much, Lauren — I really appreciate that. It’s been a meaningful journey, and I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive community. Looking forward to everything ahead as we

You're not just a creative, Charmane. You're an entrepreneur! Love this world vision. Your own multiverse. Very smart in this climate where IP is so valuable.

Thank you, Geoffroy — I really appreciate that. I’ve been very intentional about building these projects as interconnected worlds, so it means a lot that that vision comes through. It’s an exciting space to be creating in right now.

Jake Ingrande That's awesome! Congratulations Jake.

Absolutely, Jake!

Jake Ingrande Congratulations! I agree with Richard "RB" Botto and it's something that I would watch.

Congrats Jake!

Congrats Jake Ingrande

Larry David is a great reference — his style of turning everyday situations into something deeply uncomfortable and honest is brilliant.

I’m very interested in character-driven storytelling as well, especially when it creates tension in subtle ways.

What do you think makes a character truly memorable on screen?

Hey Ana Cristina Rodrigues

Ana Cristina Rodrigues

I learned early on that a character should have three defining traits. That makes sense, but it depends a lot on what those traits are. If they’re too loud, like a wooden leg, a neon pink shirt, and a super deep voice, sure, you’ll remember the character, but they start to feel kind of artificial. You don’t really connect with them.

What pulls me in more are the subtle things. Stuff like mouth breathing, fidgeting with a birthmark while thinking, or thinning hair that’s clearly trying to look fuller. Those details feel observed, not designed. They can be a bit uncomfortable, sometimes even slightly gross, but that’s exactly why they work. You get curious about the person behind them.

I find myself way more interested in that kind of character. They feel like someone you might actually run into, which makes you want to dive into their inner world.

And contrast makes it even better. If that slightly off-putting character then turns out to be charming or kind through how they act or speak, it creates this tension that’s really engaging. Your first impression gets challenged, and that shift sticks with you.

Those are the characters that last. They don’t just stay in the story, they become something you can refer to in real life situations. Like you meet someone and think, this is kind of like that character moment. I hope I make sense!

No idea why that formatted so weirdly haha

That makes a lot of sense — especially the distinction between “memorable” traits and details that feel genuinely observed from real life.

I think when traits are too explicit, a character may be recognizable, but not necessarily human. Those smaller behaviors — almost like imperfections — create something more compelling, because they make us feel there’s a real inner life behind them.

And the contrast you mentioned is what stands out the most to me as well. When first impressions are challenged through actions, the character gains real depth. It’s not just about who they seem to be, but who they gradually reveal themselves to be.

In the end, those are the characters that stay with us — not because of their traits alone, but because of the experience they leave behind.

Hey Joscha Bahr welcome.

Stephane Atelo Way to go Stephane! The positive feedback feeds the writer's soul to keep pushing.

Thank you, John! You’re absolutely right—positive feedback is the fuel that keeps the creative engine running. I’ve just registered my feature 'WELCOME TO THE BLACK HOLE' (WGAW) and the energy from this community is exactly what I needed to move into the pitching phase. It’s an honor to connect with a fellow Writers' Room member. Let's keep pushing the boundaries! Best, Stephane.

Congratulations Stephane! You should feel proud to get that feedback! One of the most maddening things about the entertainment industry is the silence. Often times we just don’t get any feedback at all. So you should be really proud that they responded and gave this to you.

Dear Amanda,

Thank you for your message — it truly means a lot.

In a space often defined by silence, your words carry weight. They push me to go further and sharpen WELCOME TO THE BLACK HOLE into something undeniable.

I’m refining the project and will be back with something stronger.

Best,

Stephane Atelo

You got this! Stick with it!

Happy weekend back at ya Morrison M.J James ! thrilled to hear it's been busy for you - congrats! I saw you've also done one or two verticals? How different was that for you? WAS it different? cheers

Happy Weekend Morrison M.J James I think you would like our Acting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/acting). Lots of great discussions and tips for auditions. Sharing your journey in the Directing Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing) could spark some great conversations and help you build more connections.

Nothing like hearing that someone putting in the work is getting work, Morrison M.J James. Couldn't be more happy for you.

we have a lot of people on the platform who want to do voice acting, do you have any tips for people who want to get started?

Thank you so much, Timothy!

I truly appreciate your support and guidance. I’m currently developing my project with a strong international vision, both as a creator and as the lead actress.

I’m especially focused on building a character-driven story with emotional depth and global appeal.

I would love to hear your perspective — from your experience, what do you think helps actors stand out the most when they are also creating their own projects?

Looking forward to learning more from you and the community!

Ana Cristina Rodrigues what I find useful in my experience is repetitive routines, keeping up a skincare routine making your presentation both hygienic and professional. there is more to preparation in the actors need to know how to model and models need to know how to act post.

nobody likes working with stinky people.

then after finding a roll you'll like to audition for is were the 5 W's: who are you playing, what is their motivation, when is it taking place, where is it taking place and why is the character doing this. there's more to the 5W's in another post.

there is way more to include but this is a good start to help

“Thank you, Timothy! I couldn’t agree more — a disciplined routine and deep understanding of the 5 Ws are game-changers for creating memorable, authentic characters. I’m actively applying these principles in my projects, blending emotional depth with strong visual storytelling to make every performance stand out on an international level.

Hi Ana Cristina Rodrigues I would like to encourage you to come to this month's open house. It is an interactive webinar that will walk you through how to best use Stage 32. It on March 25 at 12pm PST. Even if you can't attend live, I encourage you to register so you will have the recording in your library.

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32s-march-2026-communit...

Thank you for the invitation, I’ve registered and I’m looking forward to watching the session.