Trending Lounge Discussions

I'm joining, Geoffroy Faugerolas. I'm looking forward to this Q&A! I already have one question to ask. I'm gonna try and think of some more.

Geoffroy Faugerolas I'll be there!

Emilia Maria, you get a lot of people who don't network effectively claiming the industry is closed. I think it makes them feel better about not getting anywhere or pushing themselves.

Thanks for that feedback - it really helps to recognize these happenings and outcomes when the impatient amongst us is eagerly clamoring for access and affirmation today haha.

CJ Walley I did think that was the likely case - he seemed very bitter. Either that or, he was trying to get business with his "35 years in the industry" or however long he has been in it. I'm not too sure, but it wasn't effective in any way, shape or form! Good to know I'm not imagining it.

Congrats! I did a strategic way when I was writing novels, but now- I'm a bit chaos, a bit discerning, but your journey itself is noteworthy.

Congratulations — this is incredibly inspiring! Your story is real motivation for so many of us. Thank you for sharing it.

Have a great IYW Maurice :)

Aww thank you Michael!! Makes my whole day to hear you can see us improving daily :) Always here for suggestions and improvements!!

Thanks, Sydney S. Have a great IYW too!

Hey , Sydney s. Yes . First few check list for rewriting in general suitable for any structure. (eg. scene description structure, specific verbs , grammer and spelling etc.) Then structure specific elements.(eg. character development arc for different structure , other important elements etc.) . So that while rewriting, the process can go list wise and result as less drafts and save the time.

I would love a couple of rewrite labs. Especially if you're building on a script that's gotten looked at or been asked for- it would be great to have labs where you can then bring it to the next level.

Maze runner is definetly worth a watch! but be warned, you may cry a few times if characters deaths make you sad.

also let me know if you watch it, and your opinion on it! :)

Autumn Carpenter wow I've actually watched all your movies, it's very interesting. nice to meet you here

Awww nice to meet you too!!

My favorite movies are Angst, Krush Groove, and Hard to be a God!

That's how it is when I write a script, Koushik Acharya, but I rewrite as I go, so my first draft is really like a 3rd or 4st draft.

This is really interesting analysis and I had not considered it in that way before but it might really help me going forward. I HATE re-writes, I mean just hate them. Not tweaks, additions to improve, deletions to streamline but true and actual re-writes. Although I have not been writing long, I can't tell you how in love with my first draft of Dixie Dynamite I was. So convinced I had managed to get such a good script in my first swipe.

I re-read it for the first time a few weeks ago after completing my current draft and I had forgotten HOW MCUH had changes. Aside from fragments of my cold open there was ZERO resemblance to the first draft and it was SOOOOO BORING haha.

So I have motivation to do re-writes but have still hates them haha, but after reading this I think it will help alter my mind going forward.

There's plenty of writers nailing their first draft. It's all down to individual process.

Thanks Kevin. I will keep you in my rolodex. :)

Hi Neal. I just sent a pitch to you on Stage 32, 12.12AM, NORMAL writer's hours... A. I grew up on the great MGM and Harman-Ising Studios etc. Toons.

So the problem is mostly that there is no REAL problem that is going to make a dramatic statement, or a big problem that takes a lot of Laurel and Hardy style goofy attempts to fix, solve it.

A. The characters should be 'Normal', then driven to crazy antics, watch Laurel and Hardy, sitcoms like Tool Time, trying to fix, solve it.

B. It does not have to be Mars, Earth in the future with the like 4th? generation of a family dealing with a new AI robot that has by accident, recieved his general personality, knowldge from a slightly wacked human, would be the father;s agony.

c. Then the robot, Stanely? would be watching all the robot, programmed machines etc. for the farm, and sometimes gooffing up.

d. The REAL IMPORTANT, again watch sitcoms is the 'friction' between personalities.

e. The show NEWHART, with characters Larry, Darryl, and Darryl, you could have a 'Darrel' robot on a pair, Larry and Darrel, thier personalty imprints taken from two cranky brothers from Earth?

f. So watching the video again, are the two Teens normal? Is there comedy interaction between the family characters?

Last

Do it on Earth

Like what if the Robots decide to do Crop circles of Hot Robot Babes???

gEorge

There was a TV show from 1965 to 1971 called "Green Acres" where a wealthy couple from New York City move to the country. Lots of great comedy lines and gags. Your story could be on Earth in the future with crazy robots, the Greater 'Earth Space Farm Patrol' that stops by and causes chaos etc.....

This is such a cool concept. It has si much potential on crazy things. You've gotta do a killer tomatoe from space episode or something haha!

I use Green Acres as a comp when I pitch it. Futurama meets Green Acres on Mars. Thanks for the comments!

Hi, Asl Seil! I'm rewriting a Horror Action feature script for Stage 32’s November Write Club. My second goal is outline and write a short script. I'm trying to figure out what idea to write. I'm also outlining a Fantasy Action feature script. What are you working on?

Quite the unique introduction.

Amanda Toney I wanted it to be special and accurate. While I understand that a certain amount of decorum is needed in all interactions with humans whether it be for social reasons or business purposes, there is an advantage to being my age and going through some of the experience I have gone through.where you just want to say the truth from your perspective. Am I suggesting anyone take my approach? Heck no. At this point, I'm more vengeful than anything else. That's not really a smart way to make friends, but then, I'm a Scorpio so it's in my nature. The offer I made to Maurice is extended to you as well, Amanda. I would be happy to look over anything you might have that would benefit from a fresh pair of eyes.

Philip David Lee, as always, I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective and experience. This industry can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re putting your work out there, facing silence, or dealing with situations that feel opaque or dismissive. Many creatives here can relate to moments of burnout or feeling overlooked, so you’re not alone in the experiences that shaped this post.

That said, one thing we’ve learned over the years, and what makes this community special, is that collaboration, mutual respect, and open-minded dialogue tend to move writers and filmmakers forward far faster than industry cynicism ever will. The relationships people build here often become the difference-makers in their careers, and that starts with showing up in a way that invites connection rather than pushes it away.

Whatever your current relationship with the industry, I hope you’ll keep yourself open to positive opportunities. There are people here who understand where you’re coming from and who genuinely want to build alongside others.

Ashley Renee Smith Thank you, Ashley. I think my bigger point I want people to grasp is that I have learned to decipher between what are genuine offers and collaborations and what are the scams so my critique of the industry is to let it be known that I won't suffer BS and can see it a mile behind home plate. Now if you don't like working with honest people, that probably means you constantly are involved in questionable ethics. People like that don't want honest people around them because they run the risk of being exposed and quite possibly arrested. Those that appreciate my honest take can most often be trusted to play me straight up.

Nor am I afraid to tell you if your ideas are, shall we say, less than intelligent. You go up against egos more times than talent in this industry. I'm not afraid to walk away and blast bridges into oblivion if I hear hear an idea that is sooooo stupid, I stand befuddled for hours wondering how a "professional mind" works that way. So what you might perceive as a burned out grumpy bastard with no room for compromise, I see myself as a gardener that can instantly recognize the weeds are that need to go or a dentist that will pull out an infected tooth without Novocaine.

So for those out there that like to run their business like a mob family, stay clear from me because if you try and push some foul smelling crap past me, I don't care who you are. I will burn you down to where you'll think California wildfires are just backyard barbecues.

Likewise, if you want to be involved in a fair partnership or working relationship where success is the main goal and everyone gets what is fair to them, you can do a lot worse than me.

Unfortunately, you can't tell anyone not to touch an open flame so they won't get burned because they need to feel that pain in order to respect why there are warnings in the first place. Am I impossible to deal with? I have friends that truly love me for my integrity. I'm just a guy that finally got enough bandages removed from his fingers to be able to either make fists again or extend my hands out for a honest handshake.

I don't need respect. I just need co-operation and people that can show me that they can adapt to any number of problems and quickly work out solutions. Respect is like romance. It's a false altered behavior with the sole desired result being to screw you.

If qualified?

Hi, Michael Valente. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know that I moved your post from the Filmmaking/Directing Lounge to the Your Stage Lounge since you're introducing yourself and promoting your script.

The ways to connect with other members in the discipline Lounges (Filmmaking/Directing Lounge, Producing Lounge, Screenwriting Lounge, etc.) are making helpful/educational posts and commenting on other people’s posts.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Producers, executives, directors, writers, and more. www.stage32.com/blog/the-importance-of-community-and-collaboration-in-th...

Stage 32 is having a free Community Open House on November 25th. It'll also help you connect with creatives and industry pros. You can sign up here: www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-november-community-open-ho...

And it's Stage 32's November Write Club. It can help you reach a goal(s), it's a chance to connect with writers, directors, producers, etc., and you can get support for your goal and projects. Week 3's blog came out yesterday. There's three prizes you could win this week! www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-3-how-to-make-a-strong-fir...

what is her perspective on sex and people? does she like them/it? hate them/it? how does she take her being forced/sold to do favors? Victims of SA all process that differently. Some lean heavier into sex as a way to rewrite their story and maintain control. Others become sex adverse. I think revealing her attitudes could help shape her character better.

Thanks for the response. I'm not sure yet. She's not being sold really, used would probably be a better term. I see it as a bit of a trade-off. She's provided with a job that brings her into contact with wealthy and famous people. She's put up in a nice house. She is asked to make herself available on request, but not as a constant, ongoing thing, more like every once in a while. It's not always about sex, sometimes it's just about being an attractive accessory. Because she has ambitions as a singer, perhaps she felt she could justify it all as a means to an end as she gets to meet film and music people in her work, but is at a point where she realizes that she is being used, or more to the point is being strung along, and that the people around her are not ever really going to deliver on their promises. The death of her friend maybe brings all of this into sharper focus and then brings someone into her life who she is ready to risk everything for, or thinks she is. There may be another layer to that. It's all still evolving. I posted this looking for inspiration, a woman's perspective that might provide a key that would unlock a deeper understanding of the character.

Is there some hints to her childhood? What her childhood was like would definitely inform her choices. That is something I delve into when developing my character.

Alright, great, Jeffrey B. Wayne. Hope you join and hope you have a great week!

Jeffrey B. Wayne congrats on the latest projects being on streaming platforms. My team and I are currently working on two animation release during the holiday season! How did you go about getting your film placed on Tubi and Prime Video?

Cyrus Sales Unfortunately I don't have visibility into that piece. My directors/producers handle that aspect. I do know there's a submissions process and I believe the criteria is available on their sites.

Thank you Geoffroy Faugerolas , will do!

Hey Jeffrey B. Wayne I gotta check these out!

Hello Tom Schaefer,

I’m a new author in the UK, enjoying my new venture after I retired from work early. I joined this platform just a week ago, having had surprising success with my first novel. Still finding my way around the site - and pleased with myself that I managed to pitch a script for TV to an executive today. (Didn’t use ‘Logline’ for a heading, as I’m unfamiliar with this term - oh well). I have emailed the Success Team several times and been inundated with replies and marketing. It’s all very impressive, but I’m far from wealthy, and it concerns me that everything I need to do costs more money. Having committed to a TV pitch today, I now worry that I will be stranded and unable to progress, due to costs. I see there are ways of funding if needed, but I’m uncomfortable with this.

Just wanted to touch base as a newbie - and hope that my books can progress to a TV drama series. Wish me luck

Beverly

Tom Schaefer "Secondly no real contributions to read unless we pay." There are a lot of members like me who've had success on here by using the free resources.

"No real mentoring because you’re all afraid of something - probably the fear that if someone else gets good information, they’re gonna get a sale so why contribute to this group if it contributes to someone else making a sale I see people hiding in fear looking for tidbits of information but nothing’s really coming through unless you pay. " The Stage 32 Team and members teach, help, and support others all the time on here.

"People seem afraid to post on this site which seems to have lot of industry people here …. Seems callous to pitch struggling artists with fees from gatekeepers at every turn." The main purpose of the Pitch Sessions is to get feedback to improve your pitch, but sometimes the executives, managers, etc. will request scripts, sign writers, etc. (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/success-stories).

I read your comments on other posts. They're negative. No one wants to work with someone who's constantly negative. I suggest networking/building relationships by being positive, supportive, and encouraging. I hope this helps you get people to interact with you and find opportunities on here!

Hey thanks Beverly and Maurice for actually engaging! It's unfortunate but small talk and quiet seem to get little engagement. I'm not a negative person, and thanks for the primer.

Darrell thanks for responding! You have an impressive resume on your own in the industry, and it's good see that you are getting that engagement with this site.

Oh yes, I know networking!

My Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

All I got is my trip to Hollywood in 1979. Me and my twin brother and his buddy - all three of us got into a beat up VW in StLouis and headed from StLouis, to LA. - which took us about 3 days. me, just out of the Navy, my brother, AWOL, his buddy AWOL.

Got some unusual help from - well we'll save that for the movie ...

Stayed in Hotel Hastings on Hwd Blvd. Looking out the windows - it was like a B movie, looking out the window over the blvd.

All three of us worked for a film lab, workin for some guy named Cal, I processed film next to guy who was AWOL from the Venezuelan army as we processed 8mm porn, right there on N Seward Ave. That 35mm was special perforations so it could be slit into 8mm and spun into cartridges ... They processed not just porn but that was a huge piece of it ... I saw clips for Superman and other films, canisters from apartment shooters "Joe Ltd" as much as "ABC Studios" etc.

They had another windowless lab across town with nothing but illegals procssing film ... Worked for the Rosenthal brothers at Ametron at Santa Monica and vine in my role as the 20yr old kid working in their rentals dept. selling vaccum tubes to every studio in town ... even had some celebs come in - Telly Savalas, Ned Beatty, Jodie Foster in a costume to look like an old lady - or so I was told that was her would love to confirm that story, and met the guy who was the yacht captain in Cuckoo's Nest ...

Wandered right up to the barricades as Fleetwood Mac got their star installed on Hwd Blvd, releasing Tusk with the marching band from one of the universities .. my brother got some great shots ...

Living at the El Marathon Apartments on Valentino Place. Oblath's Cafe. (all of that is now a parking lot) The El Marathon was for us like walking into a time machine - the murphy beds, the stucco, the smell, it was like living in a Hwd museum, knowing that the number of actors / industry people who had lived there ...

My first unpaid acting job: Riding a bicycle through the Paramount gate like I worked there. Waving my hand "hey buddy!" as he waved me on through ... Drove around a bit, took a peek at some sets and got tf out ... ;) ... Got free tickets to see an episode of Taxi filmed there on Gower at Melrose, I was the last guy in ... ate at Lucy's El Adobe, Nick'ODells', 'Astro Burger numeorus times ...

Our buddy Chuck would cruise walking the streets with a plan to hook up with someone who could take him back to NJ. That plan had a stage gun he bought at some pawn shop. No he never pulled it off, we talked him out of it. One night he is walking back to the apt and sees a limo parked at the Winchells there at Melrose and Vine which is now some other donut shop ... in the limo is Muhamed Ali ... he gets autograph and a story ...

I did network quite bit, met other young travelers from all over, young filmaker and his wife, had a close friend from work was an amazing guitarist ... standing on the roof, we could look over to Paramount and dream right there ... I met a guy who had one of those El Marathon apts all setup as a Happy Days collab writer's room ...

We did meet this one guy who had some kind of theatre actors classes up on HwdBlvd who had us reading some script he wanted us to join his classes ...

My brother was up on Sunset one afternoon and Brian Wilson picked him and his gf up and invited them to his house but they declined as he didn't recognize who he was riding with ... my brother severla months later would wind up getting arrested and set back to DC ... Chuck disappeared with his gf, and my brother and I wound up getting contacted by long lost family - which is what ultimately pulled us back to the world ... my brother was actually working for Stuart Baird / Altered States ...

That was my once upon a time in Hwd.

Attached photo from the roof of the El Marathon ... Paramount was having a fire drill.

A few more:

https://tommyshutter.com/page.php?p=once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood

You’re welcome, Tom Schaefer. Yeah, I don’t think you’re a negative person. I’ve talked to you on here in the past. It’s just your recent comments are negative. Being active in the Lounges is what really helped me get engagement on here. Sometimes other members will message me saying they saw how active I was in the Lounges, and it leads to opportunities like jobs sometimes.

All very interesting, and negative vibes are not always unproductive. I’m happy to chat - but perhaps lacking in substance on this current subject. I just love writing my books to the best of my ability. So far, so good.

Thanks, RB- actually, it was advice from one of your Stage 32 team that got me back in the game after a bout of "I'm gonna quit." Keep on encouraging writers!

Steve Dini Hi Steve!!! So nice to meet you, lol, now I know your grand daughter and I share names. Wow, that is such an amazing journey, and congratulations on all the hard work and scripts that are moving, and the movie! I am also an actor, so always love seeing drama or former drama teachers about.

All creatives and pros, Steve Dini. All of 'em.

Thrilled to hear it was someone on the S32 team that gave you that little nudge. Feel free to give them a public shoutout if you'd like!

Dang it, RB, I don't remember her name, but she was very encouraging

hay, Steve So after you optioned the script, what do they need financing?