Introduce Yourself : Introduction... by Amber Engel

Amber Engel

Introduction...

Hello! I'm a new writer but have been dreaming of writing for over 25 years. I put those dreams on hold to raise a family, and the years have flown by! Since I'm not getting any younger (and have run out of reasons to procrastinate) I decided to take a movie idea my husband and I came up with 20 years ago- and just go for it.

I don't have a formal writing education but movies and movie making are my passion. I am very open to feedback and am thrilled to be able to share ideas and gain new perspectives here with you.

Currently working on my logline and it's TOO LONG... want to check it out and let me know what you think?

Ronald Moger

Welcome Amber! :)

David C. Velasco

Welcome Amber. As one who also put of writing for too long, I wish you the best :)

Eric Sollars

Welcome to the Big Stage. I started late as well, but have written 16 feature screenplays. No sales yet.

Tasha Lewis

Welcome!

Wayne Jarman

Welcome, Amber. 'Go for it' is a great plan. All the best wishes, from Aus.

Karen "Kay" Ross

Hey, Amber Engel! My name is Kay, I'm the Community Manager here at Stage 32. If you'd like to learn more about myself and the Stage32 Team, we have an intro blog: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Meet-the-Stage-32-Team Nice to meet you and welcome to the community!

You've come to the right place! There are TONS of resources for new writers, so pace yourself LOL! A good place to start would be the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting) where you can reach out and request a script exchange. However, since you're new to screenwriting, you may want to get professional notes first (we call it "Coverage" and on Stage32 it's called "Coverage by an Industry Reader") so you have a framework for giving notes to your Stage32 peers. Here's the link for that: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=23

I was looking over your profile, but you don't have much there. Maybe you could use some of this post to help build up your bio! Feel free to reference my blog post on "Polishing Your Profile" to help guide you: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Shape-Up-Your-Calling-Card-The-Importance-o...

Keep in mind that these lounges are like the VIP Filmmaker's Lounges at Film Festivals, so this is where you can meet the people doing the work, get advice on anything you're working on, and/or give back to those who may need advice. We're a very supportive and encouraging community! I think you'd also enjoy my intro blog post on how to engage with the Stage32 Community:

https://www.stage32.com/blog/Find-Your-Community-on-Stage-32

Enjoy exploring the lounges, and don't forget to comment and respond to others’ posts, too! It's the best way to really connect! And, of course, feel free to reach out at any time. Cheers!

Pat Savage

Welcome to our Stage 32 family and happy networking Amber!

Julian London

Welcome Amber, never too late to start, and If you've already started, then by definition you're already a writer. Happy to connect to read

Amber Engel

Thanks everyone, I'm learning a lot here already. Our first script is a female led revenge thriller, no camera and haven't yet had the chance to collaborate with anyone. I'm still trying to finish the last bit and then into the re-write. I've imagined that I'd start reaching out to collaborate and find interest once it's all polished and ready... what's your process for collaborating?

Tasha Lewis

Stage 32 is a good place to start.

Mike Taime

Glad you did not give up on your dream. Welcome back. I would also check with local screenwriter groups in your area for help as well once Covid is over with.

Tasha Lewis

If you have an IPhone 11 or higher, it has an IMovie Icon that allows you to create a project. I saw a wonderful commercial that illustrated many ways to shoot using your phone.

Stefano Pavone

Welcome to the club. :)

Stephen John Beyer

It's never late to start writing! I returned to screenwriting after raising a family myself. I always say, you must live first so you have something to write about. Good Luck!

Tabitha Baumander

I'm going to echo Stephen. Frankly you should have been giving yourself twenty minutes a day to write all along. It doesnt take much you know and yes I speak from experiance. Get yourself a how to book on formatting and have at it.

Amber Engel

So true! Life is always, "if I knew then what I know now..." I do wish I would have done something small like taking those 20 minutes a day. Here's the thing though, I didn't... but that's ok because I have been living life, reading, learning and watching films the whole time and I've accumulated a TON of experiences, both good and bad.

I've already gotten so much great advice here, the most impactful so far being, to go make our movie ourselves. Taking these words to heart and thinking it through- we've decided, Hubby and I are going to do just that!

So, now we're editing and rewriting our script and researching different ways we can film affordably. Also, thinking we'll do a short to help garner some interest... not seeing any job postings in or around Seattle. Anyone from Washington state?

Here's to hoping my next post is to ask for cast and crew volunteers!!! :) Thanks for all the feedback and advice.

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