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 Doug Kayne and 6 others

Kenneth Tisdale
Let’s Have Some Fun:

I’m a superhero. You’re a supervillain and we’re engaged in battle. In the midst of this battle, you turn your attention to a nearby neighborhood, riddled with families watching our bout from a distance…and vaporize it.

Me: “You monster! How could you?! All of those innocent people! Why??”

Respond as the villain:

Elle Bolan

I have a better question.

Why didn't you stop me?

Ny’Jal Mosley

You call them innocent. I call them witnesses. And witnesses become believers. And believers… become followers. I didn’t kill a neighborhood. I erased a future that wasn’t meant to bow to you.

Mone't Weeks

"Somebody's got to lead, might as well be me"

Meriem Bouziani

Challenge accepted. I’ll respond with the mindset of one of my sci-fi worlds.

“Innocent? You misunderstand, hero. They are offerings. The god I have awakened demands a worthy sacrifice for immortality — and I intend to live forever.”

Doug Kayne

I turn to you, offering a knowing smirk.

“I see you are not only self-righteous, but foolish and blind as well,” I state, pointing my finger at you in an authoritative manner. “Those ‘innocents’ you ar...

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Liked by Maurice Vaughan

David Aronson
Question for John Thomas after his response.

Hi, I sent in my pages for John Thomas to review and he did. But I have a question for him. If I write it in an email, is there a way that Stage 32 can send it to him. And then let him decide whether he wants to answer it or not?

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, David Aronson. I'm not sure, but send this message to support@stage32.com.

Liked by Meriem Bouziani and 3 others

Sandra Isabel Correia
November Write Club! Week 3 Goals & Reflections

Hey Screenwriters!

How are you doing with your week 3 for NWC?

For Week 3, my goal is to close Act 2 at the climax with 75 pages total. I’m currently about 20 pages away, and I’m determined to hit that milestone this week.

Preparing for Future Meetings, Pitches & Collaborations

This week’s Stage 32 blog...

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Sandra Isabel Correia

Marc Ginsburg, I love the passion and determination you’re bringing into Week 3; it’s contagious! Eight years of commitment to Chrysalis. The Family Adventure(s) is no small journey, and it’s inspirin...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. Thanks. I have some ideas for the short script. I just have to pick one. I'm cheering you on too!

Elle Bolan

Hi Sandra! I loved your entry for this week. We should all remember to learn from our failures.

Leonardo Ramirez 2

Hey Sandra Isabel Correia - how far you've come in Act 2 is a beautiful thing. You're disciplined and keep your priorities. You're going to make it! Like you, I believe that "failures" can be opportun...

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Meriem Bouziani

Happy Week 3 / NWC.

Thank you very much for the reminder to accept mistakes peacefully — they’re part of the process.

I’m on page 11 now. I feel slow because I still struggle with English and with organ...

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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.

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Jay Thompson. The Pitch Sessions helped me get a lot better at writing pitches.

Unique concept. I like the format and uniqueness of your pitch.

I suggest taking "Wren" out of your logline. Names in...

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Liked by Kenneth Ellis 2 and 4 others

Cynna Ael
Let's Talk 1 Page equals 1 Minute

So, this is probably end up being ranty-- and I apologise ahead of time. But I keep running into this issue with some of my scripts-- the one page equals one minute. I swear I'm developing a phobia about this aspect that's becoming ridiculous the more I dwell on it.

For new screenwriters and even fo...

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Action Lines: The Do's and Don'ts to Make Your Script Move - Celtx Blog
Action Lines: The Do's and Don'ts to Make Your Script Move - Celtx Blog
If you want your script to captivate, your action needs to pop. These tips will help keep you on the right track when writing.
Meriem Bouziani

Thank you very much for this great article.

It’s really helpful.

Doug Nelson

Hey there, Cynna - You got it! Screenwriting is complicated isn't it. But it's also very simple at the same time. Just go write the thing without burrowing into all the little side channels of techniq...

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Cynna Ael

Antony Voronov See- that's the problem. Though the script may be only X amount of pages, it doesn't always equal the screentime when filmed. One of my producer friends has always said- though succinct...

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Cynna Ael

@eoncrambally I agree. I swordfight, I know how to use guns and have access to people who have used them in war. Am I an expert? Absolutely not, but it does allow me to figure that a one page swordfig...

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Cynna Ael

Hey @dougnelson I've got 2 scripts under my belt- an UF romdramedy and a thriller/horror. The differences between their action scenes and dialogue scenes are truly remarkable. That said, after 17 nove...

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Liked by Daniel Nedyalkov and 8 others

Luciano Mello
Logline improvement

This is the logline for a project I'm rewriting. and as a non-native English writer, I'm struggling to make it sound less formal.

'A small-town teen’s dream of becoming a model and escaping poverty turns into a manufactured fantasy controlled by a powerful billionaire, forcing her to confront the pr...

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Alex Hunter

Luciano Mello I appreciate I'm coming from a different perspective, as a novelist, but I think intrigue will be better served by a tad more clarity. I'm sure it only needs a few changes!...

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Bill Albert

I have to admit I like what you've got as is.

Mone't Weeks

You definitely have some good content; it just needs to have more clarity. I played with your logline and came up with two examples that might help. Perhaps you can find something in the logline that...

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Doug Nelson

Way too much stuff going on here. Why not start with - An impoverished teen's stardom fantasy is challenged as she struggles toward a modeling career. There's lots of room in the story for creepy characters in a flawed industry.

Aleksandar Lahtov

You can also try : A small town girl's dream for modeling is crashed by the powerful billionaire taking her into the world of cruelty facing with challenges and hazardous games she's never imagined before.

Maurice Vaughan
Putting a Setup in Act Two, Three, Etc.

I usually see setups in the first Act, but you can put a setup in Act Two and pay it off later. You could also put a setup in Act Three, Four, etc.

What’s your favorite setup and payoff/one of your favorite setups and payoffs you’ve used? If you have any questions about using setups and payoffs, post them in the comments.

Liked by Antony Voronov and 9 others

Elle Bolan
Staying Motivated: Utilizing Support and Practicing Gratitude

Hey Screenwriters! Hope everyone has had a productive and creative week so far. I had something personal happen this week that reminded me of how important support is for us writers

I got a couple shots of unexpected support over the last couple days. For those that don't know, I recently started wri...

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Elle Bolan

Well, Jim I'm glad you're here with us and that you've found your people here. That's a beautiful thing. It's amazing how simple things like social platforms can open up friendships and comradery you...

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Maurice Vaughan

Mr. Maurice Sunshine. :D I like it, Elle Bolan. My new nickname or a character in a script. Thanks.

Elle Bolan

Well, you always seem to be bringing that sunshine with you. All the time. It seemed to fit.

Meriem Bouziani

Thank you very much

that really makes me happy Elle Bolan

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

Congrats on the new connections! It's true, being supportive gets you far :)

My best friend is likely my biggest supporter. He's usually the first one I tell about my pitching and coverage adventures a...

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Liked by Shiva Shekari and 7 others

Hannah Augenstine
Feedback

I'm currently waiting on coverage but this is my fifth draft for my Priority One pilot episode. If anyone is willing to take a look, this is the first two pages and feedback would be great! Just trying to keep forward momentum, kinda feel like I'm at a stand still with it right now. I am working on...

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Hannah Augenstine

Jim Ramsay I am more than willing to give it a read. What kind of feedback are you looking for specifically? Technical feedback, if it’s accurate to military standards or operating procedures? Proofre...

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Jim Ramsay

Hannah, no specifics, just your thoughts on the general story. Some of the story is based on facts, others are embellishments. Thx, jim. my email is jim@jrramsay.com

Jim Ramsay

Hannah, Thanks for sending your script. Procedurals seem popular right now. You obviously have a handle on the technical aspects of first responders. This feels like Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chic...

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Erin Leigh

Nice! My advice is more technical in nature: you can tighten those action lines by removing adverbs (“ly” words) and helping verbs.

Example: Taylor raises an unimpressed brow, grumpy as ever.

Example: “...

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Jim Ramsay

Erin, there is certainly verbiage that needs editing. I was thinking of working out the story first. jim

Liked by Cynna Ael and 6 others

Dwayne Williams 2
Happy NWC! Week #3: Preparation & Practice

What are you doing to prepare yourself for future meetings, pitches, or collaborations?

I always construct entire IP ecosystems before pitching. I look at every idea as a potential franchise with room for sequels, spin-offs, and full transmedia expansion. I bundle everything into clear, pitch-ready...

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Maurice Vaughan

Those are great ways to prepare, Dwayne Williams 2! I’m learning more about screenwriting and other areas of the industry to prepare for future opportunities, and I'm getting better at pitching live....

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Dwayne Williams 2

Thanks Maurice Vaughan, I appreciate that. And same here, live pitching is definitely something I need to add to my prep. It’s still tough for me, even with all the work I do behind the scenes. But I’...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Dwayne Williams 2. The Pitch Practice in the Writers' Room is the best pitching resource in my opinion. Pitch Practice is every Thursday night at 5:30 P.M. PST/8:30 P.M. EST. You can s...

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Meriem Bouziani

That’s really professional preparation.

Thank you very much for sharing.

Elle Bolan

I second what Maurice said. I've watched a few of the pitch practices and they're very informative just to watch and listen.

Liked by Richard "RB" Botto and one other

Yrii Porchesku
Post

Hello. Where can I post my script and how can I find an agent? Thank you.

Yrii Porchesku

I can't load it. This is what it tells me.

Yrii Porchesku

skrin

Maurice Vaughan

Click the green button, Yrii Porchesku. The green button is toward the left side of that picture. Then scroll down to "Upload a Screenplay" on the right side of the page....

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Yrii Porchesku

It's strange. I do as you say, but there is no script. I downloaded and saved.

Maurice Vaughan

It might be a tech issue, Yrii Porchesku. I suggest emailing Technical Support (support@stage32.com)....

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Liked by Cynna Ael and 11 others

Bend a Knee at the Altar of Honesty — November Write Club: Week 3

Preparation and perseverance are two sides of the same coin. Toss that coin into the air, watch it flip, and the blur between those faces starts to look like one word: “undeniable.”

Being “undeniable on the page” isn’t just about structure and market fit—they matter—but being undeniable starts with r...

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Michael Elliott 2

Maurice: why am I a #2? (spare me the scatalogical references). Who is Michael Elliott 1?

Maurice Vaughan

It's a glitch, Michael Elliott 2. The Tech Team is working on it.

Corey Balbuena

You should keep the 2, it sounds catchy lol

Sandra Isabel Correia

It's my truth, AdamAdam Spencer. Thank you :))

Adam Spencer

Sandra Isabel Correia, you are most welcome.

Thank you for crafting and championing stories that heal and inspire.

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