Introduce Yourself : Screenwriter by Veronica Rotondaro

Get feedback! Stage32 has a lot of options for getting coverage. I've done the First 10 pages feedback as well as the full script with notes and even the 30min call. All were helpful in understanding where my script was in terms of how "finished" it was.

Showing to friends is good, but hard to truly trust their feedback, especially if they're not seasoned pros in the industry already. Beyond that, just keep writing! Offer to write for upcoming directors or student filmmakers. Join a 48 hour Film Project team as a writer.

Hey, Veronica Rotondaro! Great to meet you, and welcome to the community! If you're in need of advice, you've come to the right place! If you have questions, you can ask your screenwriting peers and mentors in the Screenwriting Lounge: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting

If you are looking for guidance, I would highly recommend webinars under the Education tab: https://www.stage32.com/education

But the best feedback will always be after someone reads your script and speak to the specifics of your work. I would highly recommend Executive Coverage (for written notes: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=28) and Executive Consultation (for verbal notes: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=29). For suggestions, definitely reach out to our Director of Script Services, Jason Mirch, who is excellent at matching projects with potential executives: J.Mirch@stage32.com

Also, I was looking over your profile, but you don't have much there. Tell me about yourself! I would highly recommend adding your bio (where you can expand on what you've done in the past or what you'd like to do in the future) to your profile for other members to better know how to interact with you. 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...

Hi Veronica - well writing and finishing those scripts already is a big accomplishment - way to go! Im new here but I'm sure there are lots of videos in the vault to help.

Mel Brooks always says once you work out who to steal from you've got it made.

Depends on what kind of comedy you want to go for. I really don’t like comedy’s that is funny because it’s an awkward situation or predictable. I also don’t agree with the films that are supposed to be funny because of the cursing.

I do like a bit of slapstick but my favourite comedy is banter and teasing between characters. You see it in a lot of cop shows. (Perhaps your familiar with Castle or NCIS: LA).

My point is know what you find funny, write it, and you could probably find an audience but still don’t forget what others find funny and all the different ways you can be funny (I’ve mentioned 4 different ways already).

Make sure you read your script aloud with other people . If they laugh it's funny.

Veronica Rotondaro Comedy is hard, but not impossible. There are so many sources of inspiration. But, most of the comedy I write comes from a not so funny situation that I've spun around and made funny. Standup comedians are great at this. Watch some standup, take some notes, eat some snacks, and most importantly, remember to laugh at life and yourself. Also, try a few webinars here on stage32! This is one I loved: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/on-demand/2603224900973898766/1111

Wow ❗ thanks a lot! Loved your suggestions, all of them!!

I'm writing a dramedy and have written a couple sitcoms. Realize IRONY is the driver of good comedy..If you haven't seek the Netflix series, "The Kominsky Method" take the time. Chuck Lorre, the producer of "Big Bang Theory" and others, is a master at irony humor and it's obvious in the series

Great!! Thank you very much, Jonathan!

I write a culinary cozy mystery series that has a lot of humor in the series. I've had to do a lot of my own research with shows and movies I watch for research while taking notes. I've read craft books like The Eight Characters of Comedy by Scott Sedita and other comedy craft books as well. Timing is huge, and as @jonathankramer said irony is important as well as many other things. With comedy, I've found at times hyperbole can be your best friend while at other times it is your worst enemy--so being able to find a balance at times is necessary too. Good luck!

Wow, thank you very much, Jodi. Very kind and generous with your knowledge. I want to watch your series! :)

Cheers, it takes guts!

I was convinced I could never write comedy or sci-fi, too intimidating.

Now working on my sixth feature script. I've chosen to tiptoe my way in to comedy, by characterizing the tone of the story for myself as not comedy, but _______ __________ (genre) "with a comic tilt."

That way, I'm not trying too hard right away to make it funny.

One of my fave examples is The RunDown with Dwayne Johnson. Funny and also a great adventure story.

So I can focus on the story. Because I've found, as long as I build the rich tapestry of story material the way I love to do, an intricate and powerful character web, movement through intriguing and organic locations, subplots, craft, cinematic actions large and small and constant rollercoaster of value charges, arcs and interdependencies, what's happened is that I arrive at a point after plenty of rewrites, drafts, punch-ups, restructuring, dozens of polishes, etc., where finally very much at the eleventh hour ...

the characters really seem to come alive on the page and under the tension and romance and pressure get super saucy with each other and write their own dialogue!

And it turns really hilarious because of all the powerful story work. I just open the door and then think of funny really organic smart-ass repartee and situational dynamics, it's a long road but maybe eventually it will bring me to actual comedy. In the meantime I'm really enjoying even being able to deliver a modicum of funny, through this rather convoluted and defensive set of creative tactics.

Awesome