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

Find Your Footing on Stage 32: Join Our December Community Open House!

Find Your Footing on Stage 32: Join Our December Community Open House!

Monday, December 29th 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 December Community Open House Webcast happening Monday, December 29th at 12:00 pm PT!

Free Registration: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-december-community-open-house-webcast-with-ashley-smith

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 Jim Boston and 3 others

A Major Step for Creators: The First IP-Backed Security Entitlement (IPBSE) Has Been Filed

Most creators don’t realize this yet, but your intellectual property can do more than sit on a hard drive or wait for a deal — it can function as collateral, just like real estate or equipment.

On November 26, 2025, I filed and perfected the first IP‑Backed Security Entitlement (IPBSE) under UCC law...

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David Taylor

I have a bridge for sale. More seriously, it is a plausible idea. but they are more like 'Privileges' which can be granted or withheld at someone else's discretion, than 'Entitlements', which put an o...

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Baron Rothschild

David, great question — and you’re actually touching the core distinction that makes this filing meaningful.

In the creative world, IP often feels like a privilege because access, deals, and opportuni...

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Richard Buzzell

Do IPBSE's resemble NFT's in any way?

Baron Rothschild

Richard, great question — and the short answer is: only on the surface, not in substance.

Both IPBSEs and NFTs involve digitally‑described assets, but that’s where the similarity ends.

NFTs are digita...

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Baron Rothschild

If anyone else here is curious about how their own scripts, music, characters, or worlds could be structured the same way, feel free to jump in. This is a new lane for creators, and the more questions that get asked, the clearer the whole model becomes for everyone.

Liked by Tania Cárdenas Paulsen and 3 others

Aleksandr Rozhnov
Who Is Your Dream Director?

Hey friends, just wanted to have a little conversation with you all. I feel like every screenwriter has that one director they dream of working with someday. Some dream of Bong Joon-ho, some of Ridley Scott, some of Spielberg, Cameron, Christopher Nolan—and so on. And that’s great, because it means...

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E Langley

Ed Wood Jr.

Joshua Viers

It would've been Robert Wise, but he's long gone now, God rest his soul. I haven't really thought of anyone else, but I guess it would be Mike Flanagan or James Wan. I love the cinematography in their films and would like to see their techniques used in my scripts.

Martin Graham

Paul Thomas Anderson, Mike Flanagan, Ari Aster, and Demian Rugna.

Tania Cárdenas Paulsen

Abbas Kiarostami, Laura Mora (Colombia), Victor Gaviria (Colombia), Lucrecia Martel (Argentina), y sobre todo Thomas Vinterberg.

Aleksandr Rozhnov

If anyone needs a high-quality poster, feel free to contact me — I can do it for a reasonable price.

Matthew Thompson
Something for the horror writers!

I don't write horror, but I love horror films! I tend to write comedy best, some rom-com, and heart felt stories. But I worked up this little picture for the horror writers. Maybe this will give someone inspiration, maybe break their mental block, or even intrigue someone to step out of their comfor...

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Maurice Vaughan
Last Day of Introduce Yourself Weekend!

Monday’s included for anyone who didn’t get a chance to introduce/reintroduce themselves Friday-Sunday.

Network and talk about your projects, your hobbies, your wins from the year, and your goals for 2026.

www.stage32.com/lounge/introduce_yourself...

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Liked by Juliana Philippi and one other

Matthew Wach
Choosing the Path — An Interactive Question for Fellow Writers

Kyrathia has a fixed architectural spine - but each chapter explores a different mythic direction. The destination is set. The path is paved. The choice is yours: Path I: Vampires, werewolves, witches, and dragons Path II: Zeus, Hades, and the war of Olympus You may choose the path - though both end...

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Matthew Wach

A visual representation of the decisions we will make, together.

Matthew Wach

Path 1

Matthew Wach

Path 2

Juliana Philippi

Matthew Wach Path II...the Cosmos, the Universe seems to have more space to captivate more audience members across genres, and you can play with integrating the tone and tension of thriller, horror, s...

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Matthew Wach

Juliana Philippi Thanks for sharing your thoughts—I appreciate the insight.

I agree that Path II opens up a lot of room to expand tonally and thematically.

That said, I’m equally fascinated by ancestral...

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Liked by Marie Hatten and 2 others

Alyazin Alriyami
A method that helped me a lot in screenwriting / story structure

Hello,

there are some people who have great ideas or concept for stories they write them in scripts and some are having a hard time trying to break down the story structure they made , what I mean is that when you have the general concept or idea of your story and the characters ,sometimes its gonna...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Alyazin Alriyami. I've heard of writers starting from the end. I've thought about doing it. Thanks for sharing your method. It'll help when I start from the end.

I use Microsoft Word to outline. I...

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Michael David

This is really good Alyazin Alriyami ! Thanks for sharing.

Liked by Meriem Bouziani and 2 others

Juliana Philippi
Screenwriting in Anime: The beauty and relevance of 1995 Katsuhiro Otomo's "Memories"

Silent night...longest night...

Good evening screenwriters, and good tidings to you and yours : )

On this Winter's Solstice evening, my husband has shared with me his favorite genre of movie once more, anime, but this time... it truly affected me.

"Memories", a 1995 Japanese anime, made up of three mov...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Juliana Philippi. I've written animated scripts. I write them like I write live-action scripts. I'm interested in learning how to write anime.

Juliana Philippi

Maurice Vaughan I've yet to venture in, I may one day, but I was so taken by this film. So beautiful, and relevant. It stayed with me, and that hasn't happened in quite some time....

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Liked by Juliana Philippi and 13 others

Liked by Jack Binder and 3 others

Sydney S
Write your one-hour pilot and work one-on-one with the Director of Development behind Netflix's RUSSIAN DOLL and the Star Wars series THE ACOLYTE

Are you a writer with a great idea for a female-driven television series?

Then it's time to wrote the pilot and bring your unique voice to the industry. Executives, agents, and managers are hungry for pilots that center on complicated and diverse women. But for your script to stand out, you need to k...

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Sydney S

Hey all! We have only 2 spots left, just wanted to give you a heads up :)

Sherry Daley

Are there any class members in this lounge?

Liked by Jim Boston and 2 others

Jay A Swendris
Things coming around

someone said here stick around good people are her . Well I found my co wrighter . and for a dyslexic that's the hole ball of wax . I almost quit got a bad review treated it like south park laughed at me the entire time Nothing constructive to say . I walked away 4 days now and he's still rubbing sa...

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Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations again on finding a co-writer on here, Jay A Swendris! Glad to hear you're not giving up!

Jay A Swendris

Hell no full speed ahead . A financer contacted me as well . but nothing in stone yet . I fell the snow ball happening :)

Maurice Vaughan

That's great, Jay A Swendris! Congratulations! Hope the financer funds your series!

Salisu Abdullahi
Big news to close out 2025!

I am thrilled to announce that I have officially signed a Co-Writer Collaboration Agreement for the premium sci-fi pilot, 'THE PHOENIX'. I’ll be partnering with Lead Creator Jay A. Swendris to bring this high-stakes, 'Earth-themed' story to life.

We’ve already hit the ground running with the first p...

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Salisu Abdullahi

Thanks for the heads-up on the Community Open House, Maurice! Dec 29th sounds like a great opportunity to learn more and connect. I’ll definitely try to make it. See you there!

Salisu Abdullahi

Thank you so much, Imola! I appreciate the support. It’s been a big week for the project!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Salisu Abdullahi. Great. Happy Holidays!

Juliana Philippi

Salisu Abdullahi WOOHOO!!! Congrats! May it be fruitful, beautiful, and may the story shine and reach the most people for the most good, sooo amazing for you!...

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Salisu Abdullahi

Juliana Philippi Thank you so much for the beautiful words, That is exactly our goal—to tell a story that truly shines and connects with people. I really appreciate your support and well wishes as we move into this next phase!

Zarya Rowland Bintz
Phantom Of The Opera

I celebrated the winter solstice with my husband and kids this year by seeing Phantom Of The Opera at the Grande Theater in Hangzhou. I've seen most of the film adaptations but never thought much about them as they all seemed a little slow and boring to me. (Apologies if you love them!) I didn't kno...

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