Trending Lounge Discussions

Hi, Geoffroy Faugerolas. I'm excited about November Write Club! My goals are finish rewriting a Horror Action feature script and outline & write a short script.

I've set goals to complete and polish one feature "Tethered" and get my skeleton draft done for a second, "Inspiration Inc". Some other small editing goals besides.

I'm excited to be taking part this month and see the progress everyone makes.

Elle Bolan Great to hear! And competing for the prizes can't hurt :)

@Geoffroy really though, I'm more excited by the networking than anything. I think the writing club is really going to help me shed some of my introversion. I struggle with peopling well.

Thanks so much for the heads-up and the helpful tip! I did indeed draft the post in the Stage 32 app, so that explains the browser glitch. I’ll hop onto the web version right away, edit the post, and repost the full text so everyone can see it properly.Really appreciate you taking the time to let me know—definitely makes the community experience smoother for all of us.

You're welcome, Phuc Quang Vu Dao. The text shows up in the web browser now.

Phuc Quang Vu Dao funding is problematic for independent filmmaking the world round, but I believe in the UK we are looking to change that.

The background to this: the UK film industry is akin to a cottage industry, where we continually beg favours to get our films completed. The industry is greatly reliant on inward investment, too much so for my liking.

And yes, it maybe true that we have to craft our stories with a particular budget in mind, BUT—we should also know who our audience is and develop a business plan, that includes reaching out to the potential audiences for the film. This will help attract audiences to the story and investors to the production. Marketing and publicity play a huge part in the development of the film.

So, I wish you well with your projects and also welcome you to the Stage 32 community, which is like nothing else in the industry.

Hi @Geoff,

Thank you so much for this insightful comment and for the warm welcome to the Stage 32 community.

It's both fascinating and validating to hear you describe the UK industry as a "cottage industry." That sentiment resonates deeply with us here in Vietnam. We absolutely understand the feeling of "begging favours" to get our stories told.

I especially appreciate your "BUT—". You've highlighted a crucial point that we, as emerging independent filmmakers in Vietnam, are still learning to master.

We are often hyper-focused on crafting the story within its budget constraints (the "art of the feasible," as I called it). But you are absolutely right: this must go hand-in-hand with developing a solid business plan and identifying our audience from day one.

Your emphasis that "Marketing and publicity play a huge part in the development" is a vital reminder. Often here, those elements are treated as "after-production" problems. Integrating them into the development phase, as you suggest, is a strategic shift I am personally keen to embrace. It’s not just about making the film; it's about building the bridge to the audience who needs that film.

Thank you again for sharing your experience so generously. This is exactly why I joined this community—to connect with and learn from seasoned professionals like yourself.

I look forward to following your work.

Best regards,

Dao Phuc Quang Vu

Phuc Quang Vu Dao Access to funding is the issue everywhere. And in all industries. Film is no different in that way. Independent filmmakers, to be successful, need to focus on that business and professional aspect. We have no more right to funding than any other business. So we need to figure what we offer that is attractive to our investors and buyers, from the beginning, and we need to make sure we deliver.

There was a quite substantial over saturation of limited series in the last 5 years. Every streamer went mad producing them and flooded the market with them all at the same time, which leads to fatigue somewhat and leads to lowered demand. This is likely what the person you mentioned is hinting at. Most of the time limited series are expensive and plays made by streamers to build their libraries of original content, but they are also useful star vehicles to keep buzzy talent working on projects that excite them while their teams put together their next big hit. Everything is cyclical. I wouldn't be dissuaded by this person's (albeit correct) view of the market right now. No one may want them right now, but that could change in a year or two. Write your limited series if that's the format that fits your story best. Your story as a feature or ongoing series won't be as good if it's in the form it's not meant to be in.

If it doesn’t have a multi series Engine, Make it a feature

I say go with your gut! If a limited series feels right to you, then you could also toy with the idea of it being an anthology, and come up with some separate but connected ideas if someone wanted more than one season.

Such a comment may well reflect that person's own fear of rejection or disappointment, of perhaps this, or something similar, happening in their own exlerience. Whether or not, it's disparaging, which is not on, coming from an 'expert'.

My recent pitch submission received a sumilar comment, suggesting that i forget it, the notion of such an expensive movie ever being produced.

Yes, it,'s important to be open & flexible, yet it's vital that we adhere to our unique visions. Balance.

True Detective and Fargo now spring to mind as I read some of these comments - they were expensive but stunning. Food for thought. As ever, it’s all about story anyway.

Thanks for sharing the video, Michael Fitzer. John Carpenter is one of my favorite directors. I've made suggestions to indie directors and producers I worked with as a writer that helped them make the most out of their budget, like using a different scene or location.

The video is very intriguing,

Pls can u connect me to any lenders or Loan private

Chidera Emmanuel in a word, no. That’s not the way the industry works, Chidera. Cultivate relationships before asking something of a person.

Thanks for sharing the article, Geoff Hall. I think this is my first time hearing of culture washing.

"We live in an era when every brand wants to be seen as creative, inclusive, and purpose-driven. That sounds lovely — until you notice how many of them turn to film festivals, art exhibitions, and creative “collabs” not to support culture, but to use it." I think that's wrong. And people notice when someone/a company is using them instead of supporting them, which could hurt relationships and deals.

Maurice Vaughan me too, Maurice. I'd never heard of culture washing before this.

Although, I have to say, many of my favourite art exhibition spaces used sponsorship from dubious sources. In my day, we didn't really piece it all together with the jarring inconsistencies it represented.

Hi, Maria Caeiro. Hope you're doing well! I'm rooting for you to reach your goals this month, and I hope the pitching goes great!

Thanks , Maurice. I wish you have a great NWC, too.

You're welcome, Maria Caeiro. Thanks. After I reach my goals for November Write Club, I'll make pitch material for both scripts.

Yay, Maria Caeiro. Happy NWC, and I love your goals. I am cheering for you, and I am confident you will achieve it. Let's goooo

Thanks,Sandra Isabel Correia . My goals are a great challenge for me, but I'm confident. I´m rooting for you, too.

Hi, Maria Baltazzi. I'm glad you're doing NWC! Congratulations on the progress with your next book! I'm rooting for you to finish the last chapter!

All the best Maria Baltazzi

You're welcome, Amanda Guy. What genre(s) is your feature script?

Hi Amanda Guy . Lovely to hear you've found your momentum after all those years. I love it when I see writers showing perseverance. This is a key attribute, especially in those early years where you might not see any real career gains. Here if you ever need another screenwriting friend in your corner.

I'm excited to see how you do on your goals. Happy NWC!

I was a prose and poetry author a long, long time ago. Some small press and Indie credits but nothing big. I published way more in poetry than prose. After life, trauma and a pretty significant drug addiction, I hit writers block.

I just recently started writing again and screenplays were where I restarted. So, here we are.

Hi Amanda Guy! Wishing you the best on your feature. I think what helped me find my momentum is a mix of my support group and others who read my work and provided notes (whether coverage or pitching). Their excitement for the story helped me get through.

writing groups are a game changer when it comes to getting feedback and encouragement, id never have had the courage to persue writing if it werent for fellow writers!

Hi Wisal - this sounds very intriguing. I wish you great success with it. Keep us updated.

Hi, Wisal Chaban! Welcome to the community. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know that I moved your post from the Screenwriting Lounge to the Introduce Yourself Lounge since you're introducing yourself and promoting your project. Let me know if you have any questions.

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/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

Stage 32 had a Community Open House last week. The recording is free to watch, and it'll also help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros. www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-october-community-open-hou...

And it's Stage 32's November Write Club. It's a chance to connect with writers, directors, producers, etc., and it could help you reach a goal(s). There's going to be prizes too! If you're interested in joining Write Club, Week 1's blog came out the other day (www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-1-how-to-find-build-the-cr...).

Thank you so much, Maurice and Daryl!

I truly appreciate your kind words and warm welcome.

I’m happy to be part of Stage 32 and excited to connect with other creatives.

You're welcome, Wisal Chaban. You could post your script on your profile. Producers search profiles for projects. Click the gear symbol in the top right-hand corner and select “Edit profile” in the drop-down menu. Scroll down to “Loglines” and click “Add/edit loglines” to the right of “Loglines.” You can also post your script on your profile this way: www.stage32.com/loglines (near the top where it says “Add a Logline”)

Congratulations, Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg and everyone who worked on Uncharted Freedom! I'm looking forward to watching it!

Maurice Vaughan Thank you!

You're welcome, Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg. I'll share about Uncharted Freedom on social media when it comes out.

Congratulations!

Thanks Florencia Lowry

Dee Pierce Both my works are Screenplays awaiting a producer :) https://filmfreeway.com/RehannaLoncar

I also added my features to my about at: https://www.stage32.com/profile/1352068/about

You could post your script on your profile, Rehanna Loncar. Producers search profiles for projects. That and networking are how I sold four short scripts to a producer. Click the gear symbol in the top right-hand corner and select “Edit profile” in the drop-down menu. Scroll down to “Loglines” and click “Add/edit loglines” to the right of “Loglines.” You can also post your script on your profile this way: www.stage32.com/loglines (near the top where it says “Add a Logline”)

Welcome, Rehanna! Congrats on your debut feature! Arachnid Infestation sounds like a great title!

Hi Rehanna,

Your storytelling world truly resonates with me. I’m a film composer and sound designer working under the name Cosmic Call, creating immersive soundscapes that explore the space between fear and fascination where tension meets emotion.

Reading about Arachnid Infestation and Mind Prison, I immediately imagined organic textures, dark strings, and subtle electronic layers to enhance the psychological tension and inner fragility of your characters.

I’d love to connect and explore a potential music collaboration whether for a project in development or a future feature.

You can discover my sonic universe here: cosmiccall.fr and on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicCall432

Looking forward to connecting and hopefully creating something haunting and cinematic together.

✨ Patricia Chaylade / Cosmic Call