Screenwriting

Hey there :), I've just made my first script in my life called as above. You can judge by the logline itself: "When an introverted official from Warsaw is declared a threat to Hollywood’s narrative order, he’s dragged into a neon-lit empire ruled by celebrity gods, where he has to outsmart an Empress, survive absurd trials, and confront his own self-hatred in order to release himself - if Hollywood doesn’t consume him first.".

In August I posted that an Australian production company asked for more details after I tried to sell my script to them.

They are back, asking for still more details.

Those of you who like myself want to sell by sending a query letter, I hope you understand that you will have to answer similar questions.

The production company have asked about details, so I begin with the simplest one.

I had written :

"

This is a micro-budget script with only five actors and few locations. I expect a few hundred thousand Australian dollars to be enough because I wrote in almost the same way as when I earlier created no-budget TV movies.

Since I have created both shorts, TV mini-series and TV movies, I had the impression that a TV movie would be best for this project.

The script is 93 pages long.

"

Here is what the production company says :

"

We would like to know more about your budget estimate. Why do you think it can be done for a few hundred thousand AUD?

While we understand it is difficult to produce a ballpark budget, we recommend looking at comparable titles for an idea.

A TV movie format suits the story well. Based on your past experiences, can you elaborate more on why it’s a good fit for this story?

Please state the progress of the script. Is it in the development phase? Is it completed?

"

Partly, I can easily add to what I earlier wrote :

"

Like my earlier films, the story is politically correct in the way public service television companies prefer. And it can be broadcast when children are around.

The story is completed. The script is 93 pages long, an ideal length for a TV movie to fill a 'slot'.

"

But I failed to find budgets for similar movies when I googled yesterday evening. So please help me.

My no-budget TV movies cost me only 1,000 dollars each so I never had to bother about budgeting.

And what is the smallest crew (excluding the actores) one would expect an Australian production company to use for a TV movie?

No, the production company has not promised to buy my script. Plenty to think about before any decision can be taken.

Hey everyone!

I’m Roberto, a screenwriter, actor and director from Toronto. I just completed the feature script and pitch deck for my film THE CALL — a character-driven spiritual drama with psychological thriller elements.

This project came out of a real personal journey, and finishing it has been one of the most meaningful milestones for me as a creative. Right now I’m immersing myself in the Stage 32 community, refining my materials, and learning from the incredible writers and filmmakers here.

Would love to connect with writers across all genres -- drama, thriller, comedy and character--driven stories -- especially those who enjoy exploring emotional depth or personal transformation in their work.

What are you all currently working on?

As writers, we often imagine the perfect creative partner, the producer, company, or talent whose voice feels like it could bring our pages to life.

For Soul Mated, I picture the producers at Zero Gravity. Their bold approach to character-driven narratives feels like the right energy to elevate this story. And imagining actors like Jodie Comer or Dakota Johnson embodying these roles makes me think about how casting choices can transform the rhythm of dialogue and the emotional arc.

For The Misstep, I see Matriarch Productions UK as a natural fit. Their commitment to socially resonant storytelling aligns with the film’s purpose: sparking dialogue and offering hope. I’d love to explore how they shape scripts that balance artistry with impact and how they nurture stories that carry both intimacy and cultural weight.

Here’s my question for you, screenwriters:

If you could hand your script to any producer, company, or actor, who would it be?

How do you imagine their voice, style, or presence shaping your story?

Let’s share our dream collaborators; not just names, but the storytelling reasons behind them. Sometimes, the way we articulate that dream reveals the heart of our writing.

FADE IN:

EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

RAIN HAMMERS the roof like a drunk percussionist. Lightning CRACKS. A BLACK HELICOPTER descends violently, its rotors whipping the rain into a frenzy. The side door slides open.

A HUGE, SHIRTLESS MAN (mid-40s, inexplicably oiled) stands framed in the doorway. His name is BRICK KILLMORE. He wears sunglasses at night. And a bandolier of grenades shaped like pineapples.

BRICK

(gravelly, like a bear with a hangover)

"Remember, boys – this is a stealth mission."

He BACKFLIPS out of the helicopter. Lands in a puddle. Doesn’t break eye contact with the camera.

INT. WAREHOUSE – CONTINUOUS

THREE HENCHMEN play poker around a barrel-fire. One chews a toothpick. Another has an eyepatch. The third is just… weirdly sweaty.

HENCHMAN #1

(muttering)

"Killmore’s gonna show up. I can feel it."

HENCHMAN #2

(adjusting eyepatch)

"That guy’s like herpes – shows up uninvited, ruins your weekend."

SUDDENLY – THE ROOF EXPLODES. BRICK KILLMORE crashes through the ceiling, landing directly on the poker table. Cards fly. The barrel-fire tips over. The sweaty henchman catches on fire.

BRICK

(cracking knuckles)

"Gentlemen… you’re holding my stapler."

A BEAT. The henchmen exchange glances.

HENCHMAN #3

(screaming, on fire)

"WE DON’T EVEN WORK IN AN OFFICE!"

BRICK sighs. PUNCHES him so hard his skeleton flies out the back of his body cartoon-style.

MONTAGE: BRICK dismantles the remaining henchmen using:

- A paperclip

- A strongly worded Post-It note

- One (1) disciplinary meeting about "appropriate workplace conduct"

When the dust settles, Brick stands victorious. His hair is perfect. His pecs glisten.

A SHADOWY FIGURE steps from the darkness. It’s THE BOSS – a middle manager in a cheap suit, clutching a coffee mug that reads "#1 DAD".

THE BOSS

(deadpan)

"Killmore. You were late on your TPS reports."

BRICK’S EYE TWITCHES.

BRICK

(whisper-shouting)

"Not… the TPS reports…"

DUN DUN DUUUUN.

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. MEGACORP HEADQUARTERS – DAY

A GLASS SKYSCRAPER. The logo reads: "EVIL INC. – WE EVIL GOOD".

BRICK KICK-DOORS his way into the lobby.

SECURITY GUARD (70 years old, named Stan) looks up from his crossword.

STAN

(sighing)

"Again?"

BRICK NODS. Stan presses the alarm button. It plays "Careless Whisper" on a kazoo.

BRICK

"Where’s the server room?"

STAN

(pointing)

"Past the motivational posters."

BRICK SQUINTS. A WALL OF POSTERS reads:

- "TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK (unless the dream is leaving before 5PM)"

- "FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION (but dental is)"

BRICK GROANS. PULLS OUT A ROCKET LAUNCHER.

STAN

(cheerfully)

"401k’s vested in three weeks!"

BRICK PAUSES. Lowers the rocket launcher.

BRICK

"Damn. That’s good benefits."

TO BE CONTINUED…

(Just kidding.)

INT. MEGACORP LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

BRICK pockets the rocket launcher with visible regret. Stan slides a pamphlet across the desk.

STAN

(conspiratorially)

"Also, we got a ping-pong table."

BRICK

(squinting harder)

"...Full health coverage?"

STAN

(nodding)

"Including therapy for 'workplace trauma.'"

BRICK’S FIST SHAKES. He exhales through his nose like a bull who just got a 5% 401k match.

BRICK

(grudgingly)

"Fine. But I’m filing a complaint about the kazoo alarm."

STAN shrugs, hands him Form 47-B ("Complaints/Unjustifiable Homicide").

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. SERVER ROOM – CONTINUOUS

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS BUZZ ominously. Rows of servers hum. A SINGLE IT GUY (Glenn, 28, cargo shorts) types furiously.

GLENN

(without looking up)

"Password?"

BRICK

(deadpan)

"Guest."

GLENN

"…Really?"

BRICK

(loading shotgun)

"I’m not great with technology."

GLENN SIGHS. Slides a sticky note across the desk: "Password123."

BRICK

(blinking)

"That’s… it?"

GLENN

(munching Cheetos)

"Upper management said cybersecurity was ‘a buzzkill.’"

BRICK stares at the sticky note. The shotgun looks sad.

SUDDENLY—THE DOOR BLASTS OPEN. In strides BRICK’S ARCH-NEMESIS: KAREN FROM HR. Power suit. Clipboard. Lethal amounts of passive aggression.

KAREN

(clicking pen)

"Killmore. You didn’t initial page 37 of your onboarding paperwork."

BRICK’S EYE TWITCHES AGAIN.

BRICK

(voice breaking)

"I WAS BUSY SAVING THE WORLD."

KAREN

(smirking)

"World-saving requires two forms of ID and a signed W-9."

BRICK WHIPS OUT A FLAMETHROWER.

GLENN

(casually)

"Uh, that’s a write-up."

BRICK SCREAMS INTO THE FLAMETHROWER. Cut to:

EXT. MEGACORP BUILDING – CONTINUOUS

BRICK is LAUNCHED out a window. He TUCK-AND-ROLLS into a conveniently placed dumpster labeled "FAILED CAREER CHOICES."

HIS PHONE BUZZES. A text from THE BOSS:

"TPS REPORTS STILL PENDING. ALSO, FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING IS MANDATORY."

BRICK WHIMPERS. FADE TO BLACK.

TO BE CONTINUED… (For real this time.)

FADE IN:

EXT. CITY STREET – NIGHT

BRICK KILLMORE lies sprawled in the dumpster, covered in expired yogurt and shattered dreams. A STRAY CAT (named Mr. Whiskers, unimpressed) stares at him from atop a pizza box.

MR. WHISKERS

(judgingly)

"Meow."

BRICK

(groaning)

"Not now, Whiskers. I’m having a moment."

HIS PHONE BUZZES AGAIN. Another text from THE BOSS:

"REMINDER: ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS ARE NEXT WEEK. DRESS CODE: BUSINESS CASUAL (NO BANDOLIERS)."

BRICK’S EYE TWITCHES SO HARD IT COULD POWER A SMALL VILLAGE.

SUDDENLY—A MYSTERIOUS FIGURE steps into the alley. Wearing a TRENCH COAT and a NAME TAG that reads "HELLO MY NAME IS: PLOT DEVICE."

MYSTERIOUS FIGURE

(whispering)

"Killmore. There’s a file… a file so dangerous, HR tried to shred it twice."

BRICK

(squinting)

"Is it… my unpaid parking tickets?"

MYSTERIOUS FIGURE

(gravely)

"Worse. Your unsubmitted timesheets."

BRICK GASPS. The cat hisses. A DISTANT KAZOO plays ominously.

MYSTERIOUS FIGURE

"The Boss is cooking the books—literally. He’s using them to barbecue."

BRICK

(standing up dramatically)

"That’s a violation of corporate policy."

MYSTERIOUS FIGURE NODS SOLEMNLY. Hands him a USB DRIVE labeled "CONFIDENTIAL (DO NOT EAT)."

BRICK

(clenching fists)

"Time to punch some numbers… literally."

CUT TO:

INT. MEGACORP ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT – NIGHT

BRICK KICK-DOORS his way in. The room is a sea of cubicles, each with a SAD OFFICE WORKER (tie askew, soul crushed).

SAD OFFICE WORKER #1

(monotone)

"Welcome to hell. The coffee’s decaf."

BRICK

(scanning the room)

"Where’s the Boss?"

SUDDENLY—A SPEAKER CRACKLES. THE BOSS’S VOICE echoes through the room like a haunting by PowerPoint.

THE BOSS (V.O.)

"Killmore. You’re the virus in my system."

BRICK

(smirking)

"Funny. I was just thinking the same thing about your expense reports."

THE BOSS (V.O.)

(scoffs)

"Those are creative interpretations."

BRICK PULLS OUT A CHAIR—not to sit, but to SMASH IT INTO A PRINTER. The printer EXPLODES in a blizzard of paper and toner.

SAD OFFICE WORKER #2

(cheering weakly)

"...That was my performance review."

BRICK

(nods)

"You’re promoted."

SUDDENLY—THE ELEVATOR DINGS. Out steps KAREN FROM HR, holding a LEGAL PAD and UNYIELDING EYE CONTACT.

KAREN

(smug)

"Killmore. You didn’t schedule your exit interview."

BRICK

(loading a STAPLE GUN)

"Exit this building—or enter the morgue."

KAREN

(clicks pen)

"That’s hostile workplace behavior."

BRICK SCREAMS. FIRES THE STAPLE GUN. IT JAMS.

KAREN

(smirking)

"Out of staples? How tragic."

BRICK WHIPS OUT A CALCULATOR.

BRICK

(typing furiously)

"Let’s calculate… your chances of survival."

KAREN

(raising an eyebrow)

"Zero… because I have health insurance."

BRICK FREEZES. HIS LIP QUIVERS.

BRICK

(whispering)

"...Damn you."

CUT TO BLACK.

TO BE CONTINUED… (

FADE IN:

INT. MEGACORP ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT – CONTINUOUS

BRICK and KAREN stare each other down across a sea of overturned cubicles. A SINGLE STAPLE clatters to the floor between them like a tumbleweed in a corporate wasteland.

SUDDENLY—THE CEILING COLLAPSES. BRICK’S HELICOPTER CRASHES THROUGH THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DEPARTMENT.

BLACK SUITED COMMANDOS repel down on VISIBLY EXPENSED nylon ropes. Their leader? STAN THE SECURITY GUARD, now wearing tactical suspenders over his uniform shirt.

STAN

(cracking knuckles)

"I took an optional combat seminar."

BRICK

(grinning)

"Stan. You son of a bitch."

STAN

(shrugging)

"Benefits include dental."

KAREN

(clicking pen furiously)

"This is unauthorized demolition!"

BRICK WHIPS OUT A CHAIR. Not to sit—to SMASH it over the nearest copier. The copier EXPLODES in a blizzard of W-2 forms.

SAD OFFICE WORKER #3

(cheering weakly)

"...My tax withholdings..."

BRICK

(gravelly)

"You’re free, son."

SUDDENLY—A PROJECTOR SCREEN descends. THE BOSS appears via GRAINY ZOOM CALL from what appears to be a BEACH RESORT.

THE BOSS

(sipping margarita)

"Killmore. You’re violating the company dress code."

BRICK

(adjusting his bullet bandolier)

"Casual Friday."

THE BOSS

(smirking)

"Funny. Because today’s Tuesday."

BRICK’S EYE TWITCHES. His MUSCLES TWITCH harder.

STAN

(whispering)

"That’s time theft. Straight to HR jail."

KAREN

(triumphant)

"Gotcha."

BRICK

(loading PAPERCLIP GUN)

"You’ll never take me alive."

KAREN

(scoffs)

"We don’t have to. PTO’s been denied."

BRICK GASPS. The commandos GASP. Even the copier debris seems to GASP.

STAN

(horrified)

"...No... paid... leave?"

BRICK COLLAPSES to his knees. The PAPERCLIP GUN slips from his fingers.

BRICK

(whispering)

"...Monsters."

SUDDENLY—THE FIRE SPRINKLERS activate. Not from fire—from EXCESSIVE WORKPLACE DRAMA. Everyone is SOAKED.

KAREN

(screaming)

"MY PAPERWORK!"

BRICK

(standing slowly)

"Time to liquidate... your assets."

He KICK-FLIPS onto a ROLLING OFFICE CHAIR, SLIDING toward Karen with the SPEED of a MID-MANAGER AVOIDING RESPONSIBILITY.

CUT TO:

EXT. MEGACORP ROOFTOP – NIGHT

THE BOSS SMUGLY sips his margarita by the ROOFTOP POOL. The CITY sprawls below him.

SUDDENLY—BRICK CRASHES through the GLASS CEILING, LANDING in the HOT TUB. Bubbles FURIOUSLY.

THE BOSS

(sighing)

"You’re tracking carpet fibers in the wet area."

BRICK

(rising like a PHOENIX... if phoenixes HAD HEALTHCARE DEDUCTIBLES)

"End of the line, Boss."

THE BOSS

(smirking)

"Wrong. This is the end..."

He PRESSES A BUTTON. The POOL DRAINS... revealing a SECRET ESCAPE SUBMARINE labeled "CORPORATE RETREAT".

BRICK

(blinking)

"...Is that tax-deductible?"

THE BOSS

(winking)

"Team-building exercise."

BRICK LUNGES—

—only to SLIP on a WET POOL NOODLE. He FACE-PLANTS onto the MARBLE DECK as the Boss STROLLS toward the submarine.

THE BOSS (adjusting his SUNHAT)

"Killmore. You failed to account for liabilities."

BRICK SPITS OUT A TOOTH. It CLINKS against the tile—audibly DEDUCTIBLE.

BRICK

(grunting)

"Your escape... is unauthorized!"

THE BOSS

(shrugging)

"So’s your PTO request."

BRICK ROARS—flips the HOT TUB over with SHEER RAGE. Water FLOODS the rooftop, short-circuiting the TIKI TORCHES.

SUDDENLY—KAREN REPELS down from a HELICOPTER wearing FULL SCUBA GEAR.

KAREN (through DIVING MASK)

"Violation: unsanctioned aquatic activity!"

BRICK GRABS a FLOATING POOL BAR. Swings it LIKE A CLUB. Hits the SUBMARINE’S HATCH—which DINGS like a MICROWAVE.

THE BOSS (laughing)

"Impact-resistant! Cost: three company retreats!"

BRICK GROWLS—RIPS a CHAIR from the POOL DECK. It’s WICKER. This is PERSONAL now.

BRICK

(hefting chair)

"Last chance... hand over the W-2s."

THE BOSS SMIRKS. Presses ANOTHER BUTTON. The SUBMARINE’S HATCH opens—revealing GLENN THE IT GUY at the controls, EATING CHEETOS.

GLENN

(mouth full)

"Uh. Password?"

BRICK SCREAMS—HURLS the WICKER CHAIR. It BOUNCES off the submarine’s hull HARMLESSLY.

THE BOSS (boarding submarine)

"Performance review: unsatisfactory."

BRICK PANTS. WATER drips from his GLISTENING PECS. The KAZOO ALARM plays DISTANTLY.

KAREN (adjusting CLIPBOARD)

"Next steps: disciplinary meeting."

BRICK CLENCHES his FISTS—then FREEZES. His PHONE BUZZES. A TEXT from STAN:

"PSA: Donut truck in lobby."

BRICK’S EYES WIDEN.

BRICK

(whispering)

"...Chocolate-glazed?"

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. MEGACORP LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

BRICK STORMING toward the DONUT TRUCK—only to SKID to a HALT. The TRUCK is UNMANNED. A NOTE reads:

"OUT: Mandatory sensitivity training."

BRICK SCREAMS at the CEILING.

SUDDENLY—A VENT COVER CLATTERS open. MR. WHISKERS drops down, dragging a MANILA FOLDER with his TEETH.

BRICK (scooping file)

"You... magnificent furry bastard."

HE FLIPS it open. Inside: THE BOSS’S TAX RETURNS.

A STAMP on the front: "AUDIT IN PROGRESS."

BRICK’S SMILE could MELT STEEL.

BRICK

(gravelly)

"Time to... file for bankruptcy."

CUT TO BLACK.

TO BE CONTINUED... (Probably.)

I did a little experiment to see if something that was shot for 16:9 could easily be reframed for vertical without losing original intent - I found a few interesting things I thought I would share:

- some of the dialogue lines landed better (in my opinion) simply because of the adjusted composition on screen

- if you were close up in landscape, you will go MACRO on reframing for vertical. So when you do your own samples using a phone, for example, don't forget to shoot it/frame it vertically from the start

- the tone changes for me quite a bit. In this week's Writer's Room Breakdown Webcast, Michael Schulman described the trending viewing preferences as searching for something like "the intimacy of a novel" - besides being a beautiful description, I can see, post this little experiment, how a vertical framing can get you there.. not like in my experiment though where we get right up their nose haha. but it gave me the sense of what that might be for this vertical composition.

All in all - I think they meant it when they said this format requires its own guides/rules/conventions. Pretty exciting.

The other reason I wanted to share this is to perhaps show that things don't need to be perfect to try getting some of your scenes shot and edited for POCs or just to visualize. When I did this bit, I actually paid around $500 to have a cinematographer and his audio recording buddy come in and shoot this is in half-day. As for the actors, Kevin was a buddy of mine and for Michael I did do a casting and did pay him an Ultra Low SAG rate even though this was obviously not a SAG production. But beautiful things happen when we respect our colleagues :)

If I was doing this today, an iPhone and Premiere Pro / DaVinci is all I would have needed.

Has anyone else tried reframing some of their existing projects? Or got their friends together and bullied them into being actors for the day to try out some scenes you wrote? Would love to hear about the experience.

[ The original landscape scene is attached to this post. And you can watch the reframe here: https://www.stage32.com/media/3951361911743848803?ref=search ]