Trending Lounge Discussions

Hi, Michele Baker. Hope you're doing great! I love what happens when characters start talking too! I outline my scripts, but I leave room for characters to do things I didn't think of and new things to come up, like characters and scenes.

Hi Michele

Must-read post, Peter D. Marshall! I've noticed the "slow reveal" technique in movies and shows, especially Mystery. It's one thing that makes them so incredible. Sometimes I reveal things too quickly in the first draft of a script, and sometimes I'll reveal too many things in one scene. I fix those things during rewrites.

This is really good, Peter D. Marshall thank you

The "slow reveal" is what transforms a series of events into a compelling mystery. It's not just about withholding information, but about strategically parceling it out to deepen engagement.

Like a birthday or Christmas present:

Anticipating it → Seeing it → Holding the box → Unwrapping it… the REVEAL!

Michael. I love that! I think I will "steal" that quote from you :) :) :)

Sounds like an awesome premise. Best wishes with it!

Great to meet you, Davide Ludovisi. Congratulations on getting the script request! I can see the story working as a fiction TV series. I'd watch it!

Here's some free TV writing webinars: www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Stage-32-and-Netflix-Partnered-Up-o...

Stage 32 has a TV written pitch example and a verbal TV pitch beat sheet. You can get them by emailing success@stage32.com.

Stage 32 has a free webinar called "How to Write a 2 Page Pitch for Your Television Series" (www.stage32.com/education/products/free-stage-32-webinar-how-to-write-at...).

Stage 32 also has a free pitch webinar: www.stage32.com/education/products/pitching-tips-from-the-pros-your-blue...

I'm rooting for you to reach your November Write Club goal!

That's awesome! Thanks Maurice

You're welcome, Davide Ludovisi. Stage 32 has feedback services too (www.stage32.com/scriptservices).

And you could post your script on your profile. 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”)

Decide Ludovisi-That was Ashley Rene Smith's in OPEN HOUSE -response live yesterday, about being attentive here on the platform, interacting, writing. It didn't work out yesterday, maybe today, but tomorrow someone will show up to schedule a meeting and talk about your project. By the way, yesterday's questions and answers were very good. Congratulation

I would network/build relationships with the IP owners, Julie Lamont. It might lead to them listening to your pitch and reading your script. And check out The Stunt List (www.officialstuntlist.com/submit-2025).

Definitely spend some time networking and letting people see you. It's the single biggest thing you can do for yourself in the beginning.

And it's the last week of 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. Write Club isn't just for writers.

There's three prizes this week and a grand prize drawing at the end of the month! Week 4's blog came out yesterday. www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-4-the-art-of-the-pitch-wha...

I am a retired, award-winning advertising, sales promotion copywriter and totally new to Stage32. My goal is to write scripts for feature films. I love the sci-fi and romance genres. Have a logline for an idea that combines both. Cinderella Possibilities (Title)

One out of 2 single Black women will never marry, unless a Black-Prince-of-a-man comes to the rescue from a world that has never known slavery and racial discrimination.

Hi, Shirley Collier. Hope you're doing great! Welcome to Stage 32. I love watching and writing Sci-Fi.

Cinderella Possibilities sounds really interesting! Unique concept! I'm rooting for you to reach your goal! Stage 32's November Write Club can help (www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-4-the-art-of-the-pitch-wha...).

You can also make an introduction post in the Introduce Yourself Lounge if you want (www.stage32.com/lounge/introduce_yourself).

While I feel like the last two I wrote, for some unknown, mythological reason... really pushed me to be strict on what ideas made it through, which helped me be less pressured by too many ideas. They just felt so specific that I knew which didn't belong without too much thought. Usually, I'm a mess with 8,000,000 ideas of which two work haha

However, I absolutely still have an idea graveyard for both. I think given HOW strict I was, it made me realize that I always have to ask myself two questions: "Does this really belong in this story, and if it does, how does it advance and elevate each character and plot point?" If I can't answer those easily or at all... then it goes in the graveyard. Though sometimes they get resurrected later on, which is cool. I like it when that happens.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh Sometimes I put all the ideas into one transcript/script, then I realize I'm confusing the purpose & as I edit, I save the brilliant ideas in a folder I may never see again. It could be a graveyard... but I'm hoping to bring life to some of those darlins later in my life - if I live that long. : )

I'm the same way Martin Graham, which is why precious few of my ideas from high school avoided the graveyard. It's good to be strict because some ideas look good but don't have a lot of substance, and as such, ought to be left behind. Of course, you also have the opposite issue; an idea so potent that it's a guaranteed kudzu plot bomb, and that also belongs in the graveyard lol

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh I couldn't get three feature scripts to work (unfinished first drafts), so I combined them into one script.

I typically at least try them out in the script in the first draft. I'll often find though I have to cut stuff for length/pace and I usually find it's some of the extra ideas that are easiest to let go and save for later!

Hi, Ian Breeshaw. Congratulations on finishing post on your first feature film! Reach out to the Success Team at success@stage32.com. Geoff and his team can help you connect with reps. Executives, producers and more too.

Thanks for this, I shall send them an email.

I agree with Maurice Vaughan. The sucess team can help guide you toward the right people and connections! They are so nice and knowledgable.

You're welcome, Ian Breeshaw.

I've created one on Canva. They have plenty of templates. You can make a slideshow of it and/or a video. The pay-to-play Pro version is often offered for a 30-day free trial, but it's not necessary to create a slideshor or video. Good luck

Lindsey M Grant thank you!

Hi, Warren Edward Foster. I could email you a Canva pitch deck template and a Microsoft series bible template a little later today, but they're for a kids' show. I have movie pitch deck templates and treatment templates for other genres though.

Stage 32 has a webinar called "How to Create a TV Series Pitch Deck for Streaming Networks - with Example Pitch Decks & Guideline Sheet." www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-create-a-tv-series-pitch-deck-...

Here's a webinar on writing a TV series bible: www.stage32.com/webinars/How-To-Write-a-TV-Series-Bible

And here's a blog called "TV Series Bibles That Every Television Writer Should Download & Read!": www.stage32.com/blog/tv-series-bibles-that-every-television-writer-shoul...

I am applying for funding from the State for a project I am developing here in Germany and one of the requirements was the Pitch Deck, I could only find examples from the 60's online or Spongebob, so I just went out and did it my way - here is my Treatment, which also became the foundation of my pitch.

https://www.stage32.com/sites/stage32.com/files/assets/screenplay/135299...

Hi, I’m not sure how ‘professional’ it is, but I do have a 12-page pitch deck prepared — the structure and key points are definitely solid, and I’m happy to share it if needed.

Congratulations, Pamela Winfrey! I'm looking forward to hearing more about the film!

I've been with TV for almost 30 years now. Have always loved acting. There is no retiring. Now, as long as they need an old man, I'm there.

Yup! Started when I was 47. 52 now. Mathematically, I think it works for those of us that are a little older. There are just fewer of us to compete for parts. I have been constantly working since I started. Good luck on your adventure! Maybe we'll meet on set one day!

Old is just a number. Listen to your body and love to be an acto

Old is just a number. Listen to your body and love to be an actor.

I'll have to check those out, Chase Carmichael. Do you like the live-action movies?

The live-action movies are okay. But I just prefer the video game franchise and comic book adaptations. Lol

I like the live-action movies, but I prefer the video game franchise too, Chase Carmichael. I didn't know there were comics. I'll have to check them out. Thanks. And I looked up Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM). I watched it growing up too, but I forgot about it.

I loved the Sonic games! I never got into the shows or movies, but I should probably give them a chance.

Thanks for sharing. Good luck with your goals.

Welcome back, Stuart Michael Thomas. Hope you're doing great! Congratulations on co-composing The Cut and all the films! I still need to check out Top Gun: Maverick. I want to rewatch Top Gun first since it's been so long since I watched it. What's one of your favorite things about composing?

Maurice Vaughan the best part of composing is that goosebump moment when what you’re doing actually elevates the scene. Sometimes it’s by design, sometimes there a happy accident but when it works, it’s amazing.

Hi Jake, my name is Giulio Malandrino and I'm an Italian director. What kind of projects are you looking for?

Hey, Jake DelVecchio. Stage 32 has free in-person Meetups that are great for networking with directors, producers, execs, writers, and more (www.stage32.com/meetups). If you don't see a Meetup in your area, keep an eye on that page for new Meetups. And you're welcome to start your own Meetup.

Jake DelVecchio You should drop into our Independent Producers Guild and DSP weekly virtual meet ups, and as an independent producer, you should join the Guild as well. Reach out to me here.