Always curious to see what everyone else is writing and it's nice to communicate with others, so tell me, what are you writing? :)
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
Always curious to see what everyone else is writing and it's nice to communicate with others, so tell me, what are you writing? :)
If you haven't had the chance to catch up on this week's Coffee and Content, give it a read here:
RB shares insights and a video on why being human first is your best approach to your pitch.
He's right. I spent years in commi...
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Elle Bolan Thanks for reminding us of this amazing concept Elle!!! I loves RB's post, and the insight: just be human. And connecting sales, "civilian work", "non writing-acting" people, lol, also has...
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Wise words from RB always.
I've often said simply not being a complete weirdo in this game is a huge advantage. So many people act strangely. As ever, authenticity is a superpower well within every writer's reach.
Elle Bolan, yeah, there's certainly good types of weird and bad types of weird. There's a lot of creepy, passive-aggressive, pretentious, boastful, defensive, and neurotic behaviour out there that's b...
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I've seen more writers lead with ego than other industry folks for sure, limited as my experience is. @CJ Walley
And I've already had a dose or two of the creepy and inappropriate. Seems like those fol...
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An experienced producer developed the $250,000 budget for my indie film. It includes a named actor (which is a big chunk of the budget), and is being shot in 21 days with 1 or 2 day break every 5 days.
The only person not paid upfront is the screenwriter (me). I was ok with that until I received fee...
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You should be paid first day. It is your work that is being filmed. Without the writer there is nothing to film.
Thank you Screenwriters! Yes Mike Boas I'm getting back end points, and co-directing (with an experienced director). But not getting paid as a director. Maybe I should just remove the "Screenwriter" c...
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No screenwriter fee would look very amateurish to me, and I'd expect to see some sort of participation deal for the writer there - effectively making them a producer.
There should normally be an assign...
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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...
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TOM SCHAEFER, Seinfeld’s point about the state of comedy really resonates. It feels rare these days to find teams willing to go all-in on outrageous humor without watering it down. McBride and Goggins...
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Michael David, thank you; that means a lot! I really believe that finding the right producer or company is about more than logistics; it’s about aligning with the heartbeat of the story. When the visi...
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Maria Restivo Glassner, thank you! Sometimes the best answers come after a little reflection! I’d love to hear what dream collaborators come to mind once you’ve had a chance to think it through :) You...
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Sandra Isabel Correia My voice is ready, haha!!!
I rewatched How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey the weekend. It’s been a while since I watched it. It’s still hilarious and a lot of fun!
I noticed some things when I rewatched the movie that screenwriters can use in their scripts.
1. Incredible Unlikeable Protagonist...
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Thanks, Petra Jurasova. You're right. I want to see Jim Carrey play another Grinch type character.
i thought you were talking about hamlet for a minute but then i remembered that, no, the danish prince didn’t have a redemption arc, lol
Hamlet mixed with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. That's a unique script idea, James LO!
I would like some advises from this community.
I’m working on a screenplay which serves as a social critic. While I have created a story around my main protagonist to make the story interesting, I have difficulty inserting the theme and criticism organically. In a few occasion I created scenes (mostl...
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To better explain the theme of the story is about wealth and success. More specifically how in my society people tends to see it negatively and give value and merits to those who face hardship. The st...
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Nicolas Lavoie You could show the theme through your characters (their personalities, habits, actions, and dialogue) and the scenes (like a scene where the athlete gets into a big argument with someon...
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Allow theme to derive from story, character and their words. As posted, there's difficulty writing to theme, and story suffers. Trust that theme will emerge.
My theme comes organically from the plot storyline itself. Sometimes the base theme isn't one I'm aware of until I finish writing. And the thing is-- it's OKAY to be like that. What I normally focus o...
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Not sure what tone you are going for, but I like to use satire whenever I can to drop thematic clues into my stories. Doesn't work for some genres, but these "weird" little scenes or plot points will...
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Geoffroy Faugerolas (Stage 32's Director of Development Services) talks about:
– Indies booming right now
– What’s happening this week in Stage 32’s Writers’ Room (you can sign up for your first month free!)
– Stage 32 member Robert Chimento signing with Evan Anglin of Zero Gravity Management after...
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Hi all!
This post is specifically geared towards writers out there who have experience with optioning their work.
What should a writer keep in mind when considering an option?
What are the common pitfalls or red flags?
And what makes a "good" option actually worth taking vs. holding out?
Open to any...
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It's on of those things that's highly contextual to a whole bunch of variables.
Giving a first-time producer a $1 option when you are an industry nobody might be a wise move. Doing the same when there'...
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Be very careful the production company produces with decent production values and isn't just some idiot filming on his iPhone. Ask for reels of their previous work.
I've had 6 scripts optioned and one film produced as a result. I would strongly suggest vetting the production company thoroughly. It's probably wise to have an entertainment lawyer look the option ov...
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Yeah, certainly do your due diligence on the prodco/producer's capabilities and be aware that a couple of credits on IMDb as a co-producer, executive producer, associate producer, or assistant produce...
Expand commentHow ‘dangerous’ is it to upload your synopsis or even your scripts to your Stage 32 profile? Maurice is especially bold with sharing his scripts — and he’s even had success with it.
Still, I’m wondering what you all think: is there a risk that someone might run off with your idea?
Cheers!
Dolf Van Stijgeren I think producers and agents do stop by sometimes. They take a quick look, they scroll, they spot two or three interesting things. But let’s be honest: it’s not their main hunting g...
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lol Dolf Van Stijgeren : Here, it’s like any creative community:
if you want to get noticed, you need to show up, post, interact, leave a mark.
People are naturally curious, but they only become curious...
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I don't know if agents check profiles for projects, but producers do, Dolf Van Stijgeren. That and networking are how I sold four short scripts to a producer. And producers, companies, etc. look for p...
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Yeah, low budget producers will have a look and loglines and having good synopses are a must. Reps are inundated with material and tend to want to work with writers who are already established. Still...
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Let’s play with visual storytelling. I’ve dropped an image below: a glowing heart inside a luminous hexagon, floating in a starry void. It’s celestial, symbolic, and wide open for interpretation.
Your challenge: Write a logline inspired by this image. It can be any genre: sci-fi, romance, thriller, f...
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In a world that has completely collapsed, an ancient legend tells of a hexagonal star that appears once every hundred years on a clear night. It is said that whoever follows this star will find their...
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I like your logline, Sandra Isabel Correia! What really hooked me is a global agency trying to weaponize a cosmic signal shaped like a heart.
Here's my logline: After a powerful alien drains Earth of l...
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Vertical micro dramas are reshaping how audiences consume stories—fast, emotional, and tailor-made for mobile screens. These short-form, high-stakes narratives are exploding in popularity, captivating millions and opening up new doors for writers who want to connect with audiences in a fresh, viral...
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Thank you Ammon and our great host! A few more questions: What is the ideal length of a script to shoot in 10 days? Is 10 days the industry norm? How many pages is each episode? How did you get starte...
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Sebastian Tudores Thank you for asking our questions. This was a great webinar. Onward and upward.
thank you Sheri Barbera !
Thanks much MB Stevens ! Onward and upward indeed!
Hi everyone,
I’m developing a sci-fi project that includes a layered cosmological model (used as internal narrative logic rather than hard science).
To make sure the story stays engaging, I have a key question for writers and showrunners:
How do you structure a complex narrative so it remains exciti...
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You're welcome, Philippe Jeanneteau. Have a great rest of the week! Keep me posted on your series.
Thanks, Maurice — I’ll pay attention to that in my next posts!...
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You're welcome, Philippe Jeanneteau.
Philippe Jeanneteau have you read or, in this case, heard Warren Ellis? that’s a persistent theme of his—the closest comp would be the radio serial department of midnight. Check out how he tackles the...
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James LO Thanks a lot, James — I really appreciate the recommendation.
I’ll definitely go listen to Department of Midnight and check out how Ellis handles slow-burn reveals.
Thanks again for pointing me...
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Hi, Shayla Booth. My main project is a Horror Action feature script I'm rewriting.
2 people like this
Currently working on what I think might just be my best story so far - "The Empress Project". After 20 years of writing, I finally put what I've learned into a streamlined yet epic story.
2 people like this
I've been adapting the first novel from my dark collection into scripts. The script for the first big chapter of the book is done. Two more to go to this book. After I plan to adapt the other books fr...
Expand commentI've been adapting the first novel from my dark collection into scripts. The script for the first big chapter of the book is done. Two more to go to this book. After I plan to adapt the other books from my dark collection. They are extremely violent thrillers and I truly believe they could become great movies.
2 people like this
Hey Shayla! I think we briefly chatted about it, but currently:
• Getting my current, finished horror screenplay, 11 Elmridge, out there. Preparing it for contests, feedback, etc.
• Working on my next,...
Expand commentHey Shayla! I think we briefly chatted about it, but currently:
• Getting my current, finished horror screenplay, 11 Elmridge, out there. Preparing it for contests, feedback, etc.
• Working on my next, a sci-fi/horror/romance called Takeover: A Love Story. It's early still, but the beats are all laid out, and now I'm just working through scenes in ACT 1!
1 person likes this
Well, my main project right now, Rescue Team 7, is a YA Sci-fi/Horror series following a group of teens who rescue robots with human souls. I finished the pilot a while ago and now I'm just working to...
Expand commentWell, my main project right now, Rescue Team 7, is a YA Sci-fi/Horror series following a group of teens who rescue robots with human souls. I finished the pilot a while ago and now I'm just working to connect with people who'd be interested in developing it lol it's placed in 3 competitions so far, but I'm waiting on more results coming tomorrow and Friday lol