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

Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Srabon Ghosh
Confusion on script page count.

Hello everyone, I’m a screenwriter and I’ve written an English feature-length screenplay called God’s Deception (thriller/sci-fi/crime).

I know the usual industry range for a feature script is 90–120 pages, but mine ended up being 61 pages. The story would still run for more than 1 hour 30 minutes on...

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David Page

As I recall the script for ALIEN is very short and did not describe the alien, just said things like "the alien reaches out." But I think you want to get to 90 pages for a feature. You can space out t...

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Maurice Vaughan

A 61-page script might be considered a feature, Srabon Ghosh. I watched a feature film the other week that was like 71 minutes without the end credits, and I've heard about other short feature films g...

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Alyazin Alriyami
Pilot script writing

hi everyone, so I've been lately struggling to write my first pilot script ,and I was wondering if there are different ways to structure it besides the three act structure, plus, I heard that if I wanted to hook someone I must write a prefect first 10 pages , any tips for that?

thanks!

Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Alyazin Alriyami
how do I get there??

I've always shown interest in cinema and tv, and I actually wish to be a showrunner and screenwriter for my own tv show, but my problem is that I'm too young for that and everyone I've talked to says I have to forget about it, but I wont, anyways...what I'm doing for the past three years is studying...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Alyazin Alriyami. Welcome to the community. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know that I moved your post from the TV Series Pitch Document Writing Lounge to the Screenwriting L...

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Alyazin Alriyami

Hi Maurice Vaughan ,thanks for your reply I really appreciate that and will try doing what you suggested, thanks again!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Alyazin Alriyami. Great. Hope those resources help! 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...

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Liked by Maria Restivo Glassner and one other

Elle Bolan
Blues Traveller Tried to Tell Us: The Hook Brings You Back

Let's talk about that hook, though.

The opening scene is a BFD in any story. Your page one is a big part of what will sell your script. If you create a page one that grabs your reader by the throat and says "c'mere boy" then you've won a big part of the battle.

One of the things that gets praised th...

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Maurice Vaughan

Writing commercial scripts (15 sec, 30 sec, etc.) can help writers get better at writing the first page, Elle Bolan. There's not a lot of time in a commercial script, so you have to grab the reader's...

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Elle Bolan

Yep, that's the same method. 15 to 30 seconds flexes that exact same muscle.

It's a good skill to have.

I tend to drop in media res as often as possible. Right to a pivotal moment before page 1 ends....

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Maurice Vaughan

That's a great idea, Elle Bolan. I mainly do it in commercial scripts and short scripts. I also like to set up a mystery (like showing an object) on page one. I used to overuse flashforward scenes on...

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Liked by Maurice Vaughan

James Lagrimas
Extended black friday sale — 20% off sitewide!

Extended Black Friday Sale — 20% off sitewide! (Excludes Pitch Sessions & Contests)Great news, Stage 32 Community! Our Black Friday Sale has been extended, and you can still enjoy 20% OFF sitewide on almost everything across the platform. But hurry — this limited-time offer ends TONIGHT at midnight!...

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Liked by Maurice Vaughan and one other

Shayla Booth
Hello

Hi, I am new here. Always had an interest in creative writing and script writing. I wrote a full script for a Horror/Thriller TV series called 'Static Screams'. 

 Here is a quick brief, 'Seoul, South Korea. Student Haeri Min's world gets turned upside down when her closest friend goes missing. Detect...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Shayla Booth. Welcome to the community. Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. www.stage32.com/blog/ho...

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Shayla Booth

Hey, Maurice Vaughan Thankyou so much for the advice, I will add to my profile :) Appreciate the help.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Shayla Booth. Reach out to the Success Team at success@stage32.com. Geoff and his team can help you connect with producers, executives, and more.

And Stage 32 is the Global Screenwritin...

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Maurice Vaughan
Coffee & Content: Why Your Next Step Matters More Than the Perfect Step

Good morning, everyone. Hope you’re having a great weekend! Stage 32’s founder and CEO, Richard “RB” Botto, shares two videos in today’s blog.

– Brendan Fraser Breaks Down His Career, from The Mummy to The Whale

– How Do I Approach A Star With My Script?

What’s one leap you’re ready to take — even i...

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Liked by Kenneth Ellis 2 and 4 others

Njabulo Shabangu
Am I The Only One??

I'm normally a free writer who pours his heart out whenever I write, once I start writing it just flows and I can turn a though or an idea into a whole movie. But my issue is that I feel like the construct and industry ready Screenplay format kills my passion of writing.

David Taylor

In a book you could spend fifty or a hundred pages setting up your world and charm your reader into it slowly, like slipping into a warm bath. In a screenplay its probably fifteen pages max of As-Is and even then, you should already have a major hook/inciting incident/trigger.

Njabulo Shabangu

I think I should go into writing books rather than Screenplays because I prefer the creative freedom to roam and create a world to the T with no restriction of word count.

If its not too much I posted...

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Trevor Learey

With screenwriting, you need to second-guess the supporting story the visualization provides.

Take Lord of the Rings. The visualization had to be done before a word could be written.

So I am not totally...

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Trevor Learey

Njabulo Shabangu If you ever need help publishing a story and getting the ISBN to protect your work, let me know, that is what we do.

Göran Johansson

I learned screenwriting by creating no-budget movies. For me the standard script format is intuitive. My advice to those who have problems with the format is to contact your local group of no-budget f...

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Liked by Jim Boston and one other

Fares Mohamed
Europe

Hello friends! Hope you’re doing great.

I’m based in Belgium, and I wrote a full season of my series—not just a pilot—because the story came to me naturally from the start. The project is deeply rooted in an American world, in both setting and tone, and in the specific voice I want to bring to it.

So...

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Fares Mohamed

thank's maurice ;)

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Fares Mohamed. 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 ema...

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Fares Mohamed

thank you very much for your message and for your help.

No worries on my end regarding my name: my name is Fares, so everything is in order. Thanks as well for the information about connection requests...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Fares Mohamed. I suggest adding your last name. Have a great day too! I hope you find success on here!

Göran Johansson

I am in Sweden, also part of Europe. I translated my latest script into American English. Then I wrote to about 100 production companies which appeared to accept submission from us who have no agent....

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Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Julie Lamont
What do you look for in a writing partner?

curious what others look for when trying to find a writing partner?

I come from a family of writers, but none that write teleplays or screenplays. (well technically one does write screenplays but not in any genre I write in). which means I haven’t collaborated on writing a script since my teens when...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Julie Lamont. I look for a writing partner who has the same vision for the project and someone who'll be professional and respectful.

You could make a collaboration post on the Job Board (www.stage...

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Göran Johansson

When I look for a writing partner, I look for someone who differs from me. Preferably opposite gender and very different age. Different social background. Unfortunately that maximizes the risk for dis...

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Liked by Maurice Vaughan and one other

Ehsan Rahimpour
Mystery, Suspense, Dramatic Irony

No. 04 / Robert McKee, a wise voice on storytelling, highlights an important point:

In Mystery the audience knows less than the characters.

In Suspense the audience and characters know the same information.

In Dramatic Irony the audience knows more than the characters.

Maurice Vaughan

I use all three of these in scripts, Ehsan Rahimpour, especially suspense. I don't think I've used all three in one scene. I might try it.

Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Suzy Miller
Where on Stage32 is the request to see a script/pitchdeck from an exec after a successful pitch?

Where on Stage32 is the request to see a script/pitchdeck from an exec after a successful pitch?

The exec said they were going to make that submission possible through Stage32 but I don't know where to find that when he activates it (probably tomorrow).

Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on the request, Suzy Miller! I suggest emailing writerhelp@stage32.com....

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