Chase Cysco: Screenwriter, director and graphic designer.

Liked by Sandra Isabel Correia and 4 others

Short Story or Feature

Hey all. I'm a little new to this lounge and would like to know which project I should take on next--short story or feature. The lore and glamour of having a short story that makes it into a festival and gets the filmmaker noticed is attractive. However, they don't make money!

Now, the score is 3-0 features.

What do you guys think?

Leonardo Ramirez

Agree with Maurice Vaughan Anthony McBride. Most filmmakers start with a short. I've even seen some film on an iphone and turn out great. Zack Snyder filmed a short on an iPhone 7 and that was years b...

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Chase Cysco

Maurice Vaughan That’s a great idea! If you had to come up with something on the spot, it would need to be really interesting since it’s so short. What genre do you think would work best? I remember w...

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Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Chase Cysco. Drama, Comedy, Romantic, Mystery, and Thriller would probably work best since they don't usually have a lot of action, practical effects, and CGI. The Crime genre would work too i...

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Liked by Sydney S and 4 others

Omari Washington
Auditioning

Hey actors, I'd love to get your perspective. Do you prefer in person auditions or self tapes these days? I feel like 80% of auditions now are through self taping, which can be frustrating if you're ana actor like me who lives to book the room. I feel like you can connect with casting, producers and directors more when you're in person.

Terri Fielder

Both are fine with me but I like in person better!

Philip David Lee

As a director, I pretty much know what the role calls for and what I'm looking for. No need for actors to waste time and travel when I can see what they bring to the table in an audition tape. Otherwi...

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Mandy Nelson

First, I'm a voice actor so this doesn't necessarily apply but 28 years ago we all had to go in-studio for everything. I happened to be an audio engineer, married to an audio engineer, so we were able...

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Chase Cysco
Do you write with background music?

Had this random tune playing in the background while writing, and for some odd reason, it transported me—like I was a kid again, sitting at my little table eating oatmeal, watching Trading Moms. There’s this one garden scene in the movie with a specific sound that always made me feel warm inside. Fu...

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John Tinger

Kat Spencer no its not just you. lol

Kat Spencer

John Tinger That's a first! hahaha

Kerry Kennard

Not for me - need the focus on chords, etc.

I might start trying doing the Reference type sounds and music and A / B the mix - mastering part.

Chase Cysco
How do you all go about adding Easter eggs in your stories?

I love slipping hidden details, foreshadowing, and little winks to the audience into my work. Whether it’s symbolism, callbacks, or references—curious to hear how you all approach it!

Speaking of hidden layers, I’ve been thinking about this a lot after rewatching They Cloned Tyrone. The way that movi...

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Maurice Vaughan

They Cloned Tyrone is incredible, Chase Cysco! It's one of my favorite movies from 2023. Fontaine, Yo-Yo, and Slick Charles are one of the best movie trios in history. I didn't know there were so many...

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Chase Cysco

Maurice Vaughan one of my favs as well ! also need to re watch under the silver lake , i remember hating it at first than a buddy of mines was like re watch it lol

Maurice Vaughan

I haven't seen Under the Silver Lake, Chase Cysco. I'll check it out. Thanks. Jordan Peele is one of the best at putting hidden details in his films.

Mike Childress
Yay or Nay on Query Letters (In 2025)?

Greetings Earthlings,

QLs: Still a worthy tool to attempt to hawk your wares, or now a relic mired in the screenwriting days of yore?...

Abut this time next month I will hit the one-year mark since I first opened FD 13 (and subsequently lost my first seven script pages the day after) so I figure I sho...

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Drongo Bum

Mike Childress Few (if any) legit working pro producers and directors want to see a writer's pitch deck. It's just another thing being pushed at aspiring screenwriters by those who make money from the...

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Mike Childress

Drongo Bum I have seen anecdotal evidence that pitch decks are more for writers who also want to direct their films, or the particular mostly-visual deliverables are requested in lieu of actual script...

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Drongo Bum

Mike Childress The only kind of "movie business professional" who would request a pitch deck — or even waste their time looking at one — is the kind of "movie business professional" who organizes and...

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Two days late!

Hey Everybody, I know I'm about two days late, but busy weekend. I'm Jeffrey B. Wayne, screenwriter for the soon to be released to streamers near you – “City Rush 4” and "Inventing Paradise". You can currently be entertained by my writing efforts on “San Francisco Cowboy”, and “Pakistani Chainsaw: A...

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Natalia Handoga
Digital illustrator.

As a freelance digital illustrator, I specialize in key visuals for advertising campaigns, music, and film releases. My work includes creating film posters, album covers, and promotional materials. A significant part of my expertise lies in developing pitch decks for upcoming films and TV series, wh...

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Chase Cysco

very nice work Natalia Handoga (:

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Natalia Handoga. You could also add your work to the Photos section of your profile if you like. That way, more members can see it.

Kat Spencer

That's so awesome, Natalia Handoga! I may need you someday :D

Vital Butinar
Social media self promotion and work

Hi guys.

Yesterday got me thinking about something.

I was on set directing on day one of a four day commercial shoot.

We had just short our first location and were being shuttled to our next location about 50 miles away and the DP and I got talking.

Because we noticed that a bunch of our fillmmaker coll...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Vital Butinar.

Vital Butinar

Well today I made some time and snapped a couple of photos (took 3 in the whole day, 2 more than last time). :)

Mark Pilligreen

Promoting yourself on social media can feel like a fine line between sharing your work and overselling it. I’ve struggled with that too, but recently I found https://www.livereacting.com/24-7-live-str...

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Chase Cysco
How Do You Know When a Story Idea is ‘The One?

Ever get an idea that just won’t let go? How do you guys decide which ideas to chase and which to leave behind lol ?

Chase Cysco

Mark Deuce your on your pokemon go shyttttt lol

Chase Cysco

Eric Christopherson That makes a lot of sense—if an idea sticks with you, it’s probably worth chasing. I love that Coppola insight too; the best stories always seem to spark strong reactions. Do you h...

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Chase Cysco

Howard Koor agree !! i notice when i write stuff for people and help ghost write i dont get as motivated ! it feels like work and then i just get turned off

Göran Johansson
How much details?

A question to those of you who have discussed with producers. Discussed with producers who have money, rather than no-budget producers like myself.

How much details do producers want the screenwriter to include in a spec script?

The screenwriting manuals which I have read, they suggest that one mini...

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Mike Childress

Drongo Bum Oh yes. I see a lot of character description in scripts that would put food bloggers' narratives about how they discovered the dish (you just want the recipe for) when they were a freshman...

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Göran Johansson

Dear friends, due to the flue, it took a few days before I used your advice. But now I try to revise my screenplay.

So here comes how the characters are described the first time they appear

Old versio...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Göran Johansson. The new version is better. The reader knows more about the characters now, and the action lines aren't really long.

Ken Cox
Netflix just announced project of my story - but not mine!

So I’ve had an idea and script for 4 years based on real life event in family .

Netflix just announced a feature of a documentary that s almost identical to my limited series script! I’ve shown this to dozens of people. What a bummer.

Mark Deuce

You may want to pitch your script here on stage 32 Ken Cox and maybe another studio will pick up your story?

Ken Cox

I’ve tried a bit

Marina Albert

Thanks Ken - I couldn't wait to get on the plane back to Melbourne (Aus). You might be on the money (if you can find it), Mark.

Maurice Vaughan
Tips for Writing an Email Query Letter

Here’s a list of things I’ve learned about email query letters that might help you write yours. They've helped me get script requests.

1. Use a catchy subject line (one I use is "The House is ALIVE! - Horror Comedy Script Pitch")

2. Don’t make the subject line too long

3. Don’t make the query letter t...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Janelle Rollins.

William Monette

Thank you so much for this!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, William Monette.

Jarnael Dabney
Possible comedy screenwriter partner?

Hey everyone I’m a comedy writer, actor and comedian, I live in Los Angeles. Are there any comedy screenwriters out there that are possible looking for a comedy partner?

Jarnael Dabney

You close to Burbank maybe we can get lunch and talk about what type of comedies you like and brainstorm

Chase Cysco

Jarnael Dabney lets do it ! i sent you a friend request

Jarnael Dabney

I don’t see the request you could also look me up on IG: OfficiallyJarnaeld

Chase's network

Rod Burke
Christine Capone
Ekram Dab
Riccardo Brega
Christopher James Thomas
Jarnael Dabney
Chizurum Chidimma Enyinnaya
Ding Zhillo
Philip David Lee
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