Screenwriting : Need serious help by Olivia Drake

I don't pay for pitches after my experience with two of those listed. I got a two cryptic sentence reply both times and a four category "check the box" report-card. That was it. I don't have a clue what was good, bad, or indifferent about my story. I'm sure both people took maybe five minutes to reply. Worth $35.00 each? Nope. Getting a lawyer probably isn't the way to go because 1, too expensive, 2. you haven't suffered damages, 3. who would you sue? Certainly not Stage 32. They are not responsible, and make no guarantees. But, you can vote with your $$$. Don't use this site for services; use it for networking, discussion, information, feedback from other members, etc.

If you still want to give it another go-round, read more than the claimed creds of people; look for older people who may have less bias in their education and experience, and may actually know how to write crtiques, reviews, analyses, reports, and evaluations. Don't be fooled; just because someone has worked in the industry doesn't mean they know how to communicate their experience and expertise about your material to you.

What Stage 32 should do, is give you a "free of charge" script review or whatever service you paid for. I know some people here (not personally, of course) report good experiences, but not everybody is competent in the organization they work for. Thus, it may not be Marliese's fault but some underling who screwed up. Who knows? Just remember, ALL internet sites want to make a profit. Pitches, classes, conferences, editing, script evaluations, etc. are the ways people in the writing industry make money.

Jenean McBrearty thanks for your input. I was supposed to schedule a phone consult with her but now I’m more worried about Marliese taking my script and running with it

Hi, my suggestion is not to worry. I sent my pitch last year in November, and today I got the feedback, after 3 months. Pass!

Olivia Drake: It's doubtful anyone would steal (if that's what you mean by running with it) your script. There are so many good ones out there and listed here. Go ahead and schedule a phone call with her; she may want to talk with you in person. That's a good sign. Her first words may be: Sorry I didn't get back with you sooner, I broke my leg, my dog had premature puppies, and my Auntie died. You never know. Assume good will before you contemplate the unthinkable. (If you're wrong and the will is no-good, call down the forces of darkness and let Karma give her the wrong latte.) :)

I'm actually in the same boat, Olivia. It's been well over the 21 day turnaround period and have yet to hear from the Exec or from Stage 32. I've also sent out pitches that took months to finally get feedback, so maybe everyone's response time is just different.

Hi Olivia Drake! Thanks for your patience as the Success Team was following up with the executive since you absolutely should not have had to wait this long to hear back from us or the executive. I just replied to your email regarding the executive.

Hi Aubrey Tomlinson! Just looked up your email sent today and we'll get back to you as soon as we reach out to this executive to find out what's going on. Thanks for your patience!

Hi Olivia. Lawyer? Nah.... 32 cannot control the actions of their vetted executives; but they could be better at acting on lack of executive response in a more timely manner without members having to chase down results. More than one reputation is at stake ;-). Cheers.

I had a so-called "executive" request a script in August 2022. Still "waiting" to hear (not really). Requested a follow-up from Stage 32 a year ago. Still "waiting" to hear (not really). Can hardly wait to hear back from the three "professionals" who, post pitch, requested the same script in 2023 (not really).

Michael Elliot: Stage 32 boasts over a million members. I'm sure personal individual customer service is absolutely impossible for that many people without a staff/sub-contractors in the hundreds of thousands: numbers count. But, if each member pays somebody $35.00 US for a service, the company has made a tidy profit. Some will drop out, some will be satisfied and pay again and again, making up for those drop outs. We're here (what? give up show business?!), and even if we aren't delighted, we like the folks here and want to participate. I've learned a lot just from the posts and reactions. Thank heavens, it's a website, and not a weighing station for my soul.

I agree it's probably too unwieldy. But, if you're going to grow to that size, you should have the infrastructure in place to support the membership. I believe they do an above average job of handling customer issues. And it's not their fault if the professionals don't act like professionals. It's like the old gambling phrase, "you pay your money and you take your chances".

My experience has been that these times vary in terms of how long before you get feedback etc. Some have taken a month or so others two weeks