Screenwriting

thanks for the links Maurice I'll look into them all the ones I found so far have costed money

You're welcome, Tony Sterago. Here are some of the free webinars: www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Stage-32-and-Netflix-Partnered-Up-o...

Tony, honestly, I also don’t have the ability to buy expensive courses.

If you have motivation, a well-structured self-study plan can replace almost everything.

Here’s what helped me the most:

One book I read:

Paul Guyot — “Kill the Dog.”

It answered so many questions about what screenwriting is really about.

A study plan using AI.

I use ChatGPT to:

– break down scenes

– practice dialogue

– get feedback

– rewrite fragments

– analyze structure

This way you can build your own “mentorship” without any budget.

Read produced screenplays.

They’re legally available online, and they’re the best textbook you can have.

Write scenes every day.

Even small ones — half a page.

It builds the craft faster than anything else.

You don’t need $500 videos.

You just need consistency and patience.

Wishing you strength on your path — you can absolutely do this.

thank you so much for the encouragement and thoughtful words. I have been using chat GBT To help me, Break down the scenes and also help with world building. It has been invaluable I agree with you It does help a lot. I guess my insecurities are just showing Because I don't know if I'm asking the right questions I don't know If the way I flush out my characters Is more of a ttrpg (table top role-playing games) Character creation Or if The writer in me character creation. I'm doing pretty much everything everyone has suggested so far it just feels like I'm doing it in the dark with a flashlight that's batteries are dying. I guess I would just feel better if there was somebody over my shoulder saying you're asking the right questions you're doing the right things in the right ways. but again thank you so very much for the thoughtful words they meant a lot and I'll keep plugging away the way I am. if you don't mind can I add you to my network?

Tony, thank you for your message — and absolutely, feel free to add me to your network.

I’d be happy to stay in touch and discuss things as we both keep learning. I’m a beginner too, just sitting on a little hill with a notebook, looking down at the big city of screenwriters and trying to understand its streets. So we’re both figuring this out step by step.

And honestly — the feeling of “working in the dark with a dying flashlight” is normal. Let’s keep going. One scene at a time.

You're welcome, Sebastian Tudores. I've been there. I lose focus sometimes and the Stage 32 community helps get me back focused.

Getting feedback on the turning point might help.

You're welcome, Roberto Micheletti. Great. I'll see you around Stage 32! And I'm a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. If you ever have any questions about Stage 32, let me or another Lounge Moderator know. We have badges on our pictures. Or you could email support@stage32.com.

I love writing stories based on true events, so I'm now researching two possibilities for my next project.

Great, Frank Fortin. Looking forward to hearing what your project is about! And I haven't tried writing stories based on true events. Thanks for the idea.

Thank you for the question, Maurice — it really does help to clear the mind.

Right now, I’m working on a script that originally started as a light, almost comedic story about “Nigerian letters” and an unexpected inheritance. The events took place in Botswana, Poland, the U.S., and Sweden.

But I recently watched Dogville, and it became a turning point. I realized how tired I am of hypocrisy in life. So I turned the project around 180 degrees — and now I’m writing about the truth.

Elle Bolan absolutely and completely.

I'll admit, I default to having my characters not drink or smoke most times because I myself do neither of those things (but sometimes they do drink and/or smoke; it's safe to say that if the setting is essentially implied to be where I live, they smoke pot more than cigarettes). As for sketchy backstories, that's also rare, but I won't hold back if they have one.

Absolutely—flawed characters with vices are often more compelling than squeaky-clean protagonists. Smoking, drinking, and drug use can reveal character through behavior: how they use substances says as much as why they use them.

The key is intentionality. Does the vice serve character development, reveal emotional state, or drive plot? A character chain-smoking during tense moments communicates differently than casual social drinking. Addiction as character flaw creates conflict and stakes.

Common pitfall: Making every character edgy through substance use can feel like shorthand for "complex" rather than genuinely developed characterization. Vices work best when they're specific to that character's psychology, not just atmospheric cool.

Practical consideration: Excessive smoking/drinking on-screen faces production challenges (actor health, continuity). Writers often cut these details during development unless they're plot-essential.

Sketchy backstories are great—just ensure the sketchy parts inform present-day choices and conflicts. What genre are you writing? Crime/noir thrives on these elements; family drama might need different justification.

Hi Abram!

Funnily enough I’m just editing a video for Writers about writing really great 3-dimensional characters that leap of the page by tapping into three key tools that Actors use when exploring and creating characters. I’ll pop a link in here when it’s finished and uploaded if you like!

I had a character that loved the bourbon but tied into their overall emotional journey.

Hi Debbie Seagle ! first of all, congrats on going into production! that's huge! :)

The answer is "it all depends" - deferring your payment may actually send the opposite message to investors than your writing group colleagues expect. It shows you're willing to sacrifice and risk for the movie you believe in and that you're asking them to take a risk with. So I would not worry about their reactions being negative.

As a separate note, the screenwriter would be paid on first day of production most often, when the money is released. How much is totally negotiable and, since I believe you own the IP? then it's however much you want to negotiate for. Standard is between 1-3% of budget. Your director is getting 6% - how you want to play it really depends on what your objective is: getting the movie made; getting it made and getting a bit of income; etc.

My subjective opinion (as opposed to my objective one) is pay yourself something out of the budget. Even if symbolic - you'll feel better about the whole project :)

and again - huge congrats! yey!

I currently have an option agreement with a producer for a film budget of $750,000. If he reaches an agreement on the financing, the contract kicks in my screenwriter pay of $30,000, which is 4% of the film budget. Assuming that's a standard amount, you should be getting $10,000 based on the budget for your film. And yes, you should get paid once the financing is secured and prior to any actual filming.

Roberto Micheletti - That's what THEY said: "the script is valued as an essential piece of the production, secondly the project has a legitimate, professional structure." Thank you for verifying that view.

I'm using your comment:

"At the end of the day, it’s about perception, clarity and honoring the work that built the film in the first place”

... as some of the greatest advice I've received as a screenwriter.

First day of production is standard as Sebastian mentioned.

Thank you Sebastian Tudores - that's how I saw it - that investors would recognize that I was "willing to sacrifice and risk for the movie" i believe in & ask them to take the same risk.

AND... as you pointed out - a symbolic payment would make me feel better about the project - I didn't know what a screenwriter's percentage should be.

@Banafsheh I absolutely love the Monroe era goddesses of the screen. I'd like to see those if you're willing to show and share.

Hi Elle Bolan, working on my training course work through Hollywood Gate Keepers to become a "popular" screen reader & book scout in the new year. Picking up my writing of short story / deep poetry to publish throughout 2026. "Regal Scale" caught my interest will be looking for it in film or script. I set short term goals instead of resolutions. For the last few years there is one word that catches my attention at the beginning of the new year repeatedly, and I attribute its original meaning as well as its modern usage for the years focus.

That’s awesome, Elle Bolan SHIFT sounds intriguing — congrats on building out the new draft.

Polishing completed features is such an underrated part of the process, but it’s where the real refinement happens.

Wishing you smooth pages as you shape it — excited to see where it leads for you.

@Rose I also prefer short term goals too. I believe in steps. Moving forward always involves steps. What sort of short stories do you write?

And hey, thanks for bringing up THE REGAL SCALE. The spec for the pilot is complete. Pitch deck is ready... Ish. I'm still trying to figure out potential homes for a lot of my projects.

That's something I definitely need to get started on. Research.

You mentioned poetry. I was something of a poet myself at one time. What's your style there?

Thank you Elle Bolan, I love them, too, and Sydney Sweeney reminds me of her a little bit. I'll definitely share the fanart when it's ready lol so far I've just pencilled in the shape I want.

We're in for a treat :)

I can’t wait for this course! It’s going to be a good time.

Likewise Whitney, we're so excited to have you hosting the lab!

If you want to learn more email me at edu@stage32.com

Excited for the lab to kick off tomorrow!

Thanks Maurice Vaughan, appreciate that!

THE CALL follows Elijah James, a young actor whose life collapses just as he starts stepping into his purpose. Every setback pushes him deeper into a psychological and spiritual fight against the version of himself built to break him.

As he chooses belief over fear, the resistance he faces actually becomes the catalyst for his breakthrough.

It’s a character-driven drama with psychological thriller elements, based on a real personal journey.

What’s been the most fun or most challenging part of rewriting your Horror Action script?

You're welcome, Roberto Micheletti. The Call sounds incredible! I'm looking forward to watching it!

The most challenging part of rewriting my Horror Action script is figuring out some things since the story world has so many moving parts. I didn't realize these things when I outlined and wrote the script. But the script is getting better and better.

Roberto Micheletti it’s good to hear you so excited about finishing the script and pitch deck for THE CALL - refining the materials and learning from the community here is exactly what I’m doing as well - look forward to hearing more about your feature and best of luck with pitching it

Michael Thorn Thanks so much — really appreciate that! THE CALL has been a huge personal milestone for me, so hearing your encouragement means a lot.

I’d love to hear more about what you’re refining in your projects as well. What part of the rewriting or polishing stage do you usually find most challenging or rewarding?

Always great connecting with writers who are in the same phase of the journey

Hello, congratulations on completing your work and good luck with your pitching.

I’m working on a sci-fi screenplay called The Silent PFC War.

Meriem Bouziani, I really admire how you’ve drawn inspiration from Mr. Nobody and then found your own way to handle parallel universes. That psychologist/Nemo structure is fascinating, but it makes sense that you’d need to adapt it to fit your own narrative flow. It sounds like you’ve approached The Silent PFC War with great care, and I’m excited to see how your carefully developed structure brings clarity and depth to such a complex theme.

Thank you very much, I’m really happy to hear that Sandra Isabel Correia

The Silent PFC War was a little easier to handle — I started with the disaster, then kept developing the story forward, using flashback scenes to reveal what happened before the catastrophe.

For The De-Evolution Game, I still don’t know how to adapt its structure.

Sandra Isabel, you're so very welcome!

You will find how to do it Meriem Bouziani :)) I am cheering for you and proud of you :))

Thank you very much for your encouragement and support Sandra Isabel Correia

Have you thought about making the protagonist older, Elle Bolan?

I have. I'm thinking of bumping him up to 6.

It's just an exercise for myself. Middle of the night, 4 year old, monster on the stairs thing.

I'm using it mostly to practice writing from a child's perspective. I struggle writing kids under a certain age point. They're very... Flat plug in type kid characters. I need to work on it.

I suggest watching YouTube videos of kids talking and doing things, Elle Bolan. And I suggest keeping the kid's height in mind when writing the script.

I feel like I should be able to write them. I have 6 grandkids. But it's a hard point of view for me. I don't know why. So, practice and listen. I'll try YouTube. See if I just need a wider example for variety.

Amazing!!

Hi Jon Shallit - the post takes only one video link so I placed a link to the vertical version in the post itself at the bottom. I just moved it to the top. And thanks for watching it. cheers

Thank you very much Kseniia Zhuravleva ! it's great to hear the first line got you interested. :)

Hey Maurice Vaughan ! thank you my friend - I always appreciate your input :) and you should DEFINITELY make some! I know you're writing a couple of them. are there plans for you to direct any of them?

You're welcome, Sebastian Tudores. Not right now, but who knows? It might happen. I've learned a lot about directing on here.

I got distracted by how good the story and the acting are Sebastian Tudores. I've seen one or two verticals and they didn't really appeal to me. They tend to feel a little tight but the story and acting in this one pull me out of that. Nicely done!

Thanks, Meriem Bouziani. Have you ever done this in a script?

Yes, the first scene of *The Silent PFC War* will take place in the lead astronaut’s house. We see many space decorations, and even the house furniture is blue, so from the beginning we understand that this family loves space and NASA’s work. Later, we discover that the father is an astronaut himself Maurice Vaughan

Yes, simply change the hat a person is wearing and you have another person. And one can force a person to do something the would not normally do, like having a priest dress like a hippie when his clothes became wet so he borrows someone else's clothes. Some of these details can be cheap, like plastic bags showing the names of well known retailers (either expensive or cheap retailers).

Those are great ideas, Göran Johansson. I like to show a character’s name and position with a name tag.

Nice that you liked what I wrote. About name tags. One can have scene where a person tells that something is wrong with the name tag they just received. Like a misspelled title. Tells a lot about character.