Hello, Stage 32 friends, family, strangers, and Aliens pretending to be humans,
My name is David Blaustein. Introducing myself here is my new favorite tradition. Following my initial introduction last month, I’ve connected with a few dozen people, made friends, read an excellent pilot, gave constructive feedback, received constructive feedback, read several outstanding pieces, and hopefully inspired a few people.
Let’s face it; we’re all dreamers. I’ve lived enough to know that humanity is at its best when it’s communal. Having an accessible and supportive community of writers and filmmakers, from novice to expert, is a gift for all of us. Stage 32 is a f’n revelation.
A little bit about myself: I was an Entertainment Correspondent and Movie Critic for ABC News Radio. I co-wrote a TV Pilot last year that I’m just starting to pitch. I’m on the second draft of a historically significant story that’s never been told before and about to finish the first draft of an endearing comedy that takes place in 1986 and is inspired by a class I took in Junior High School but has virtually nothing to do with the class I took in Junior High School. My next script is a sci-fi/thriller about a 14-year-old girl who accidentally finds a way to communicate with her dead father, followed by a horror story based on actual events, followed by a pilot that will be pitched as a reimagining of a classic sitcom.
I highly recommend taking advantage of the Pitch Sessions. Holy Hell! I’ve done five. My first included a technical glitch (my bad), but it turned out great. No, he didn’t want my script, and that’s perfectly okay. The scorecard and feedback immediately helped me reshape my pitch. Now, I have NO IDEA if I will get a script request, but three of the four following pitches (this past week) were terrific, and I built on each experience. If you’ve been afraid to commit to a pitch, please DO IT. Get out of your comfort zone. This is a great way to hone your pitching skills, quite possibly the best way.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or if you want to talk shop.
Kind regards,
David
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Nice to E-Meet you! Thanks for the encouragement :)
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I've just signed up for a pitch webinar. Interested to hear how your latest ones worked out!
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G'day David. Nice intro :)
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Carter Smith I will definitely let you know!
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Jacqueline Maddison NIce to meet you, too, and anytime!
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Marina Albert G'day, Marina! Thank you!
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You've been doing great at utilizing Stage 32 in a short time, David Blaustein. Keep it up! You're on the right track to have a lotta success on here!
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Thank you, Maurice Vaughan. You're an inspiring presence, and I appreciate you!
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You're welcome, David Blaustein. Thanks. Glad three of your pitches were terrific. I've done three Pitch Sessions, and they've help me rewrite my pitches and scripts. I'll probably do another one once I finish my spec script.
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Maurice Vaughan I LOVE pitching and while I don't entertain regrets, I do believe had I picked this career right out of college, I believe I would've thrived. Enough about me. I hope anybody who reads this understands the importance of pitching and the opportunity we're provided with here. I would avoid the paper pitch and do my best to land Skype/phone pitches. Pitching is a muscle. This is a great opportunity to build it, AND you're guaranteed to take it to somebody. It's not cold emailing, networking, or paying for a flight to LA. This is a legitimately great opportunity.
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The three Pitch Sessions I've had were written, David Blaustein, but I'm getting better at live pitching, and I'll be ready to do live Pitch Sessions soon.
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Heya David, nice to meet you! Any relation to Barry Blaustein?
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Suddenly very aware I know absolutely nothing about the screenwriting process.
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Maurice Vaughan Hit me up if you want to practice.
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Pat Alexander Great question! So, I might be. My aunt and uncle met him around 2000, and they figured out that our families were from the same village in what was German-occupied Poland.
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Sai Kelly That might be the case, and you've come to the right place. Just write and use this site to ask questions or find answers without asking questions, as the resources here are limitless. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
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Ok, thanks, David Blaustein. I appreciate it.
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I second what David Blaustein said, Sai Kelly. Here's a great blog for up-and-coming screenwriters: www.stage32.com/blog/the-questions-up-and-coming-screenwriters-need-to-a...
Stage 32 has a lot of other great screenwriting resources:
Screenwriting Lounge: www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting
Screenwriting Blogs: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/screenwriting-25
Screenwriting Education: www.stage32.com/education?search=screenwriting
Script Services: www.stage32.com/scriptservices
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thank you both, I'm working away on those links now.
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Hey David Blaustein , it's always a pleasure to read your posts. Your accomplishments and enthusiasm are amazing. I relate to the Alien pretending to be human thing. I still can't shake the image of your nudist parents. Ha!
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You're welcome, Sai Kelly.
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This is a spectacular IY post, David Blaustein. Inspiring as hell. Thrilled to hear you're not only having such a positive experience with the platform, but that you've had success with the pitch sessions as well. I love people who take matters into their own hands and control what they control. You're a shining example of that.
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Richard "RB" Botto Thank you, and congratulatoins on creating something spectacular, that actually moves people forward, and provides a real opportunity for growth and success. Facilitating dreams is the most noble vocation. You are noble!
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Robin Gregory Thank you, LOL. Only one of them was a nudist, which is what made it such an um interesting dynamic, especially because my mother is super prudish. It's one of many reasons why my perspective on everything is just a bit different. :)
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David Blaustein oh wow, that's interesting. he's an old friend!
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Pat Alexander Ok. Amazing! I left out part of the story. Barry and I played phone tag; we were trying to connect. It was right before 9/11, and the world went crazy, so neither of us followed up. I'm going PM you.
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I appreciate those kind words, David Blaustein. Made my day.
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Excellent post David Blaustein! Nice to be connected!