Screenwriting

From structure to content to representation to industry trends, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on the craft and business of screenwriting

Don't Miss November's Community Open House- Free Webcast Event for All Members!

Don't Miss November's Community Open House- Free Webcast Event for All Members!

Tuesday, November 25th at 12:00 pm PT!

Every success story begins with a first step.

If you’re ready to take yours, join me, Ashley Smith, Head of Community at Stage 32, for our November Community Open House Webcast happening Tuesday, November 25th at 12:00 pm PT!

Free Registration: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-november-community-open-house-webcast

Whether you’re chasing representation, looking for collaborators, or simply tired of creating in isolation, this live event is your chance to show up, be seen, and start making real progress.

This isn’t just an overview — it’s your creative launchpad. You’ll walk away with practical tools, new connections, and a clear path forward, no matter your background or where you are in your career.

You’ll Learn How To:

  • Navigate Stage 32 like a pro and make the platform work for your goals
  • Build authentic connections through the Stage 32 Lounges
  • Access Education, Certification, and Script Services tailored to your next big move
  • Show up in ways that get you noticed by the right people at the right time
  • Participate in real-time Q&A and get guidance specific to your path

Whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, actor, producer, composer, editor, or wear multiple creative hats — this is where your Stage 32 journey truly begins.

If you can’t attend live, don’t worry — registering ensures you’ll receive the full recording to watch anytime from anywhere.

Who’s planning to join me live for the Open House?


Liked by John January Noble and one other

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh
Breaking your own heart

Lol so BoFS has an absolutely devastating climax that I feel I pulled off well… so much so that I’m still reeling from it. I’ll refrain from spoiling, but it’s one of those cases where I broke my own heart. The only other times this happened was when I was writing my novel Seed’s climax as well as a...

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Aleksandr Rozhnov
Lawyer of the Absurd

Friends, in my previous post I shared an idea about a film where a lawyer fights in court for the right to transfer debt through a will. After thinking more about it, I realized this concept has the potential not just for a film — but for an entire series.

The protagonist is a brilliant lawyer who al...

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Aleksandr Rozhnov

You could also create an episode where he represents a group of bank robbers who walked into a bank with guns, took the money, but never said a single word. And since, legally, for it to qualify as a...

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Liked by Srinivasa Peddi and 7 others

Shazz K
Scarlet ink

Hello guys. wanted to post a logline for a feature film over here. would love to get your feedback and see if anyone is interested in reading the script.

logline:

A disgraced forensic accountant with photographic memory must decode a tattooed countdown to a city-wide attack by breaking out the impris...

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Shazz K

Meriem Bouziani yeah its like an adrenaline rush in every scene with the stakes high

Shazz K

Jon Shallit hey,no idea which one you referring too, prison break is one where tattoos are significant part of the story i think what differs mine to others would be the treatment and use of the tatto...

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Ryan Elliott

The logline needs to include the reason why this particular forensic accountant, what's at stake for him, and what does his memory have to do with it (otherwise, don't include it).

Shazz K

Ryan Elliott by saying disgraced forensic accountant its bit obvious that he has a past. and his memory is what is helping him tracking down the tatoos as it is evident in the description....

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Ryan Elliott

Shazz K oh, of course, that's all completely evident.

Good luck with your movie.

Srinivasa Peddi
Grand Son - Learning is powerful than Education

Hello everyone - I’m very new here and had accidentally posted this on my wall earlier, so I’m reposting it here in the Screenwriting Lounge. I’d love to share the logline for my feature film and would really appreciate your thoughts. Logline: An 8-year-old boy, overlooked in a family obsessed with...

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Mimi Ogbu

I would advise keeping it simple but intriguing.

Srinivasa Peddi

Thank you for the suggestion, Mimi — I appreciate it. I’ll refine the logline and keep it simpler and more intriguing in the next post. Thanks again for taking the time to share your feedback.

Srinivasa Peddi

If you don’t mind, I’d really appreciate your honest opinion on this logline and the story. Thanks for taking the time to look at it — your feedback means a lot as I’m still learning my way around here. I’ve shortened the logline as you suggested.

John January Noble
Against time

When I spoke to a member of Stage32 who asked me if I would like to participate in the NOVEMBER WRITING CLUB, I replied that I wouldn't have time because I was busy with work. Well, I decided not to leave it until 2026. So here we go, and I only have a week, Maurice Vaughan.

Liked by Cynna Ael and 3 others

James Lagrimas
Screenwriting Lab: Your Voice, Your Power. Write an Inclusive and Authentic Feature Film Script with Whitney Davis

Your voice matters — and so does the story only you can tell. In a time when audiences are craving truth and connection, writing authentically isn’t just an artistic choice — it’s an act of courage. This 8-week feature writing lab is your chance to tune out the noise of “what’s selling” and focus on...

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Sydney S

So excited for this lab!

Sydney S

We're in for a treat :)

Whitney Davis

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

Sydney S

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

Sydney S

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

Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Pitch Sessions Pointless?

Maybe I'm wrong and dumb, and I need others input. But I recently received what I think is crap Pitch Feedback and I need second opinions. Not on strength of story or plot. Simply comprehension. Read the Pitch and Tell me what you don't understand, if anything about it. All comments are welcomed. Thanks.

Salisu Abdullahi

"That's a fantastic note, Yan Ju Zeng. The IP licensing angle is critical and a business point many writers overlook when drafting a high-concept pitch. That's a great piece of professional insight that Jay can definitely use. Thanks for the paralegal perspective!"

Salisu Abdullahi

"Yan Ju, your versatility across acting, screenwriting, and production assisting is incredibly impressive! It gives you a valuable perspective from every side of the camera. I especially appreciate yo...

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Jay Thompson

Oh Yan Ju Zeng that part was a joke they aren’t actually going to speak to Blade or Buffy in the film.

Jay Thompson

Hey Visionis IP the outbreak just effects vamps, but the humans would eventually have to deal with it. They are still vampires

Yan Ju Zeng

Jay Thompson Oh! That does uncomplicate matters regarding IP Licensing! Lol.

Liked by John Fife and one other

Zarya Rowland Bintz
The Witcher

Anyone else notice how bad the writing for the newest season of The Witcher is?

Elle Bolan

I think the newest season suffered for a lot of reasons. Particularly I felt the actor chemistry felt lacking. Which is understandable considering the transition the show made.

Liked by Jim Boston and 11 others

Phoenix Black
Future preparation - local connections

For pitches, I search IMDb (pro) if you have it and deadline and Hollywood reporter and LinkedIn. Their profile under the pitch opportunity may list a whole lot of credits - when you research they were an actor or additional crew. What’s important is where they currently work and their work as produ...

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Phoenix Black

Thanks mate! Right back at you!

Phoenix Black

Maurice Vaughan If you’re part of any member organisations ask if they have discounts to IMDB pro. I got a 30% discount. Often there’s a one month free promo so you can save all your queries and do a...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Phoenix Black. Thanks. I'm not part of a member organization, but thanks for the info.

Leah McBean-Willis

OMD, this insight is incredible, I'm definitely bearing this in mind. thank you Phoenix for this information

Jim Cushinery

Phoenix Black I do the exact same IMDB drill with every ‘exec.’ Dollars are too hard to come by to not do your due diligence. it took me a couple of missteps to have that pounded into my wallet, but i...

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Maurice Vaughan
November Write Club AMA – "Post-AFM Market Trends & Opportunities for Writers"

Jason Piette (BAFTA-winning producer with over 50 projects under his belt) is having an exclusive Ask Me Anything in Stage 32's Writers' Room Lounge from tomorrow through Saturday morning!

It's your chance to ask about distribution, packaging, and how the international film market is shifting post-AF...

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Liked by Bradford Richardson and 8 others

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh
BoFS

I think the website ate my previous post, so I'll try to recreate it lol:

I blew my week 1 NWC goal out of the water and finished BoFS's first draft as of about an hour ago. Started off with the more reasonable goal of 60 pages by the end of the month (so roughly half), then the writing gods decided...

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Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

Thank you, Maurice Vaughan! I just sent it in for its table read and will be working on the date and time soon. If it weren’t for the bad sleep I’d even think about how I want to open SiR (or part 5 l...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. Is the table read gonna be recorded?

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

Yup Maurice Vaughan, I’ll get the recording and try to learn how to cut the choice parts so you can see it too :D

Sam Rivera

Wow, what an incredible creative surge! Finishing a full draft in a week is phenomenal. It's especially exciting that this installment is taking such a bold turn, diving deeper into drama and its Christian themes.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

Thanks so much Sam Rivera, it really is~ I think only a couple other times I worked this fast. And you're right, the turn it took is bold and as a result the trajectory of the remaining two sequels is...

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Liked by Haley Mary and 2 others

Maurice Vaughan
November Write Club – FREE Ask Me Anything with Patrick Raymond

Patrick Raymond (independent film producer & founder of Stormlight Productions) is having an AMA in the Producing Lounge from tomorrow through Saturday morning! He'll be answering questions about "Leveraging Resources & Incentives to Bring Work Back to the U.S."

You can post your questions now. www.s...

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