Trending Lounge Discussions

The hottest discussions in the Stage 32 Lounge.

Liked by Fuad Shawn and one other

Kurt Kingston
Art simply for the gist of it

Everyone has their aspirations no law against it and there shouldn't, don't get me wrong.

I would've done it simply out of spite for this world (love too, different sides of the same coin, really), but we all want a taste of that sweet sweet spotlight (don't lie to me).

Don't like labels, to quote th...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Kurt Kingston. I wrote a Batman script once (short script). What's your Batman script about?

Kurt Kingston

Hostile takeovers, get it? :)

Maurice Vaughan

I'm not deep into Batman lore, Kurt Kingston. Is there something about hostile takeovers in Batman? Or are you talking about hostile takeovers in general?

Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Kevin Hager
Open Writing Assigments

Where do we find Open Writing Assignments, and how do they work?

Abram Christian

Kevin Hager you can find OWA in the script services section.

Kevin Hager

Is there a way to find a pacific OWA, and do any of them come with a fee?

Maurice Vaughan

You have to be a Writers' Room member to submit to the OWAs. The Writers' Room costs $39.0...

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Liked by DJ Gautam and 9 others

John Fife
Has writing movies changed the way you view movies?

I'm taking a screenwriting course and as part or the curriculum we are required to watch small clips of multiple movies. The video pauses randomly and the instructor tells us to write what we see on the screen. I love that part of the course but found now as I watch movies, I'm forever talking to my...

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Elle Bolan

I haven't had formal screenwriting education. However, I do break movies down, analyze the writing, the structure, look for the breath moments.

I like to turn off my captions and volume and ad lib dia...

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Chris Aitken

Yep. It's very hard to switch off and I find myself overly critical now. But I probably appreciate those TV shows and films, which I can tell why their is an underlying genius to them.

Jon Shallit

Movement in every shot -Kurosawa.

Look for rich backgrounds in great directing. Although I am only a beginning director, I tried in SETESH 2025 (youtube) to make each shot have so many unusual backgrou...

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Thomas Medori

Absolutely. Every time I hear bad dialogue, I think, I can do better. And every time I hear great dialogue, I think, I hope I’ll be that good someday.

Ewan Dunbar

It only gets worse but you wouldn't change it! A great way to develop your screenwriting is to explore parts of films that give you strong emotional responses, then explore how the filmmaker and scree...

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Liked by Eon C. Rambally and 4 others

Sydney S
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!

Gratitude for you all - sending joy, love, and creativity to you and yours from California.

—Sydney, Stage 32 Education

Maurice Vaughan

Happy Thanksgiving, Sydney S! I'm grateful for everything you do for the community! Thanks!

Sydney S

Aww thank you Maurice and likewise! It was so lovely to hear you speak on the community open house :) Hope you had a beautiful day!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Sydney S. Thanks. I had an incredible Thanksgiving! Family, food, rest, and more. Hope you had a beautiful day too!

I was doing something on Stage 32 when I heard Ashley ask me to talk,...

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Liked by Harri-Pekka Virkki and 6 others

Kevin Jackson
James Cameron says Netflix films shouldn’t qualify for Oscars

James Cameron, once again making the plight that Netflix films should not qualify for Oscars. What are your thoughts and why?

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/james-cameron-says-netflix-films-sh......

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E Langley

Whether direct release to streaming, or post-theatrical streaming, the years best films as judged by AMPAS members makes catching them far easier. Some nominated films are not available to see in a th...

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Njabulo Shabangu

Netflix should qualify for Oscars as it has closed the gap from gate keeping giving a lot of young and upcoming writers a platform, and as long as the movie or project does well in terms streaming, numbers and ratings I say its fair game

Robyn Henderson

Great points raised with this discussion. As an Australian viewer, it is very frustrating when films are nominated for all the major awards and they have not been cinema released in Australia at that...

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Kevin Jackson

I love all the views, and I agree with every single one. I have not seen so many Oscar films because they were never released in cinemas where I am. Streaming has given us unparalleled access. The Osc...

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Elle Bolan

I have to say I disagree with his views here. This, to me, smacks of more gate-keeping energy than anything. I don't usually go to theaters. I can't stay awake. For some reason, it puts me out. I'm us...

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Liked by Paul Hoppe and 19 others

Ashley Renee Smith
Creative Influences: What Shaped Your Work This Year?

What’s one film, series, book, or piece of art that has influenced your creative work the most this year?

I’d love to know what made it resonate for you, whether it shifted your perspective, sparked a new idea, or reminded you why you love telling stories.

Share your pick and your “why” below. Let’s inspire each other.

Rose Dupuis

There were a few things this year inspiring more of me, one was the daily journaling I committed to for 2025. There are always a few stories rising to the surface briefly each day as I applied pen to...

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Eugene Mandelcorn

I thought I would add a narrative feature that is Taiwan's entry for an Academy Award. It is called, "Left-Handed Girl," and it was the best film I saw at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

Geoff Hall

Ashley Renee Smith one of the standouts for me was ‘The Eternaut’ on Netflix, from Argentina. It’s a six episode short form series, based on Héctor Germán Oesterheld graphic novel.

I love it because it...

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Shirley Collier

I remember "The Day of the Trigffids." This dystopian film still haunts me, especially when overgrown trees and bushes creep toward my house. Ah, the power of the movie.

Paul Hoppe

Edward Yang's Yi Yi & Taipei Story. It's hard to find something original, new- refreshing nowadays, so in my attempt to turn back the time, i got hold of these two gems and they have influenced and in...

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Liked by Federico Aletta and 6 others

Pat Alexander
WINNER ANNOUNCED: 6th Annual New Voices in Animation Screenwriting Contest

Congratulations to our Winner in this year's Animation Screenwriting Contest -- Tony Yancey II with his winning script, CAT AND CLOAK! Let's show Tony our support, and if you placed, tell us more about your scripts!

https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/contests/6th-Annual-New-Voices-in-......

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Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on winning, Tony! Congratulations, everyone who entered and everyone who placed!

James Tuverson

Congratulations, Tony Yancey II for your winning screenplay!

Pat Alexander

You were right up there James Tuverson ! Congrats to you as well!

Ian Milne

Congrats Tony!

Liked by Harri-Pekka Virkki and 2 others

Order of Watch V Read first

I am just after everyone's opinion.

I much prefer to watch a movie or series before reading the book. I find that a lot of the time I am let down by the viewing as I think they miss many parts (obviously as it has to be shortened).

I found reading the Game of Thrones series was much more exciting afte...

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Mick Eggins

Charles Chas Green Agreed, mate. I loved in GOT when Catelyn Stark was standing in Bran's room after he was thrown out of the window and she is looking at Jon Snow. I remember thinking about the look...

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Charles Chas Green

Yes , books will always tell us more, they have that length and breadth to delve into the psychological and emotional justification for why characters do what they do. Its only very clever and good sc...

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Maurice Vaughan

Mick Eggins I suggest checking out "Turn & Burn: The Scriptwriter's Guide to Writing Better Screenplays Faster" by Stage 32 member CJ Walley. www.amazon.com/Turn-Burn-Scriptwriters-Writing-Screenplays...

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Mick Eggins

Maurice Vaughan I will get on that, thanks Maurice, you are a legend of Stage 32

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Mick Eggins. Thanks.

Liked by Ian Milne and 18 others

Maurice Vaughan
Gratitude Shout-Out – Ashley Smith

Who's a Stage 32 member, writing partner,...

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Sandra Isabel Correia

Yeahhhhh :))) Someday, we will be doing gigs :)))

Maurice Vaughan

I can't play the guitar, Sandra Isabel Correia, but it's a fictional band, so I can play the guitar. :D

Sandra Isabel Correia

I know :)) Me too :))

Elle Bolan

Honestly? I'm grateful for all of you. The platform in general. It's so supportive and informative. I just love it.

The lounges are where I'm mostly at. I believe in networking early. And doing that o...

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Maurice Vaughan

I'm grateful for you too, Elle Bolan. I'm mostly in the Lounges too, and I'm less nervous networking online. Networking early is great advice! I used to write scripts and make pitch material, then net...

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Liked by Suzanne Bronson and one other

Alexandra Stevens
Do You Feel Excited That The Rise of Micro-Budget Films Can Help Your Acting Career?

I was just reading about how in the UK, micro-budget films are on the rise in festivals due to funding from the BBC, BFI (British Film Institute) and government tax breaks. I know this topic has been covered before in this lounge but would you make one? Have you made one ? If so, what was your exper...

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Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the podcast, Alexandra Stevens. I write a lot of micro-budget scripts, especially shorts. I talked with an actress on here a while back who started writing, producing, and starring...

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Tony Fisher

I wouldn’t have a problem with being in one, my only concern is that the writing is good.

Liked by Federico Aletta and 7 others

John Branagan
I'm missing something about the art of Pitch

I recently pitched a tv series concept to a rep at zero gravity management he wrote back to me giving a surprising great review on my pitch and the concept I was pitching yet the rep passed:(. can someone please explain that thought process. Why pass on me and the project when the pitch checked all the boxes.

Thank you,

JB

Jack Binder

Hello @johnbranagan - My suggestion would be to take the win and keep moving forward. There are too many reasons a project might not be picked-up beyond your control: company finances, strict criteria...

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Emilia Maria

Hey John - if it's any consolation, I pitched 2 weeks ago, and still haven't heard back hah! The wait is killing me, but it is what it is!

Steven R Mitchell

For me, a win is when an executive asks to read my screenplay. Then I know the pitch really worked despite the score and I get feedback on what really counts, the screenplay itself.

Trevor Learey

So many planets need to align for a studio to take on a project. It almost needs to be no brainer with prior success, all the rights, funding, politics and most importantly, need for a project.

Ian Milne

In the meantime well done for getting your foot in the door and getting to pitch! I'm still working on that step.

Liked by Mark Gosney and 2 others

Kat Spencer
What’s your creative goal between now and January 1st?

The year always seems to speed up once November hits, and I’m curious how everyone here handles that final creative push.

Are you wrapping up any tracks, organizing sessions, experimenting with new ideas, or simply giving yourself space to recharge before 2026?

What’s the one creative goal you want to hit before we turn the calendar?

Maurice Vaughan

My creative goal between now and January 1st is finish rewriting my feature script and pitch it, Kat Spencer. I did 3 drafts for Stage 32’s November Write Club. What's your creative goal?...

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Mike Hall

The new year is always a good feeling...as if it's a new creative clean slate. I just finished up the music for the last film project for the year. I do have some upcoming projects but what I try to d...

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