Hello Stage 32 Community, or as I say in posts, “S32ers.”
I’ve been on here for a while, however since things for me have changed over that time, here’s a re-intro (totally a word now) and a 2-pager of my journey.
Summer 2006, I am in “INT. TINY APARTMENT — DAY” while working part-time at a movie theater, I just wrote my first ever first draft, “Howard,” and have since lamented my next major decision: shrinking into a shell after unfavorable comments.
A lifetime later in summer 2020, I'm in “INT. SMALL APARTMENT — DAY” during Covid lockdown. Feel fused to a chair due to remote work. I decide to clean out old computer stuff and find my first ever USB thumb drive. It's a window into the past filled with old school work, tons of crap prose and poems (lol) most of it in outdated file formats. But there… one PDF, “Howard.” Readable on my computer. I read it and laugh my ass off. I even have the comments file (they were from a friend, btw) and laugh my ass off again. And 6 months into the crap year of 2020, that feels just great. So I roll with the surprise wave.
I mark up the PDF according to the notes and my own instincts and refraft it into a much better looking, but still awful draft 2. My friend from ages ago with whom I am still in touch likes it and appreciates her notes being applied. Hell, my mom even likes it.
More to the point, I have a lightbulb moment: “write another screenplay.” At this point, I am in the middle of a drawn out and totally half-assed, procrastination-laden effort of writing a sci-fi action novel. I take all those notes, which include way too much worldbuildng and too little plot and bang out 163 pages in MS Word of self-formatted screenplay. I customized the settings for this. Genius! Not. But the result: “Griffin Force,” my 2nd script. Cool. Also at this time, I make my idea pool, go on to drop anything and everything into it. I start to read blogs, watch vlogs, learn all I can about scripts in a more structured way. Playlists. Reading lists. And reader comments.
I always submit to contests with the “get notes” option. And so, comes hair pulling, teeth grinding, and drafts. More drafts. And more drafts. I write a draft 1 of a script, but then abandon for what becomes my real 3rd script, “Ghost Mamba,” which is also my first script in Final Draft, which is the single best investment in screenwriting. Next, more comments. And more drafts. And this becomes my ersatz writer’s academy. Each set of notes, I take as a teacher’s notes. Most are pretty good and constructive. And so the hair pulling and teeth grinding lessen. Drafts become honed to my voice, mixed with a child-like mimcry of scripts in my reading list. I read a script whose sluglines suit my visual style… boom! Adapted as my own. This script has cool transitions between “CONTINUOUS” scenes… taken, molded into my own.
After my 4th script, I stop the mass contest submissions. “Howard” and “Ghost Mamba” have achieved placements. But all this submitting is pricey, kinda like private school. So as my drafts get more focused, so does my self-learning. I have a specific read and watch queue. A big notes files for techniques. One for scene ideas. A folder for outlines still in writing. I go on to write a 5th and 6th script, as well as a 7th which is my first short screenplay.
Now in "INT. COZY APARTMENT — DAY" and after all that writing and those few placements, I land a shopping agreement! This leads to my first ever page-1 rewrite. That script is still being shopped. I have high hopes, but trying to keep it real. So writing more, networking, reaching out, wishing fellow writers all the best.
Stage 32, on which I’ve been active since Fall ’24 and a WR Member for the past year, has been absolutely wonderful. My shopping agreement was through the site. I’ve done script swaps with peer notes (given and received) and don’t plan on stopping.
It’s my job away from my job, because scripts don't write themselves and bills don't pay themselves.
Best Regards, Everyone.
Hi Luca Nicora, welcome to Stage 32! I’m Ashley, Head of Community here on the platform. It’s great to have you here!
I’d encourage you to stay active in the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.c...
Expand commentHi Luca Nicora, welcome to Stage 32! I’m Ashley, Head of Community here on the platform. It’s great to have you here!
I’d encourage you to stay active in the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting), the Acting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/acting), and the Filmmaking Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing). Those are great spaces to connect with creatives across all sides of the craft and build relationships with people working in similar, character-driven spaces.
If you’re looking to connect your projects with the right opportunities and collaborators, our Success Team is also a fantastic resource. You can reach them at Success@Stage32.com and share more about your slate and goals, they can help guide you toward curated introductions and next steps.
I’d also love to invite you to our Community Open House happening this week. It’s a free session where I walk through how to navigate Stage 32 strategically, build meaningful industry relationships, and make the most of the platform’s tools and resources:
https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32s-march-2026-communit...
Hey @Luca Nicora great to hear from you! Sounds like you come from a great background with strong training and have the right mindset in developing your slate on your. That shows great initiative that...
Expand commentHey @Luca Nicora great to hear from you! Sounds like you come from a great background with strong training and have the right mindset in developing your slate on your. That shows great initiative that can get people behind you. Keep on building and check out all the opportunities on Stage 32 to connect with passionate creatives!