Trending Lounge Discussions

The hottest discussions in the Stage 32 Lounge.

Liked by Anna Adamczyk and 7 others

Jake DelVecchio
Producer Journey So Far

I've been producing in LA and I’m trying to connect with directors who need support on the logistical side of their projects. Budgets, schedules, locations, crew, and the planning that needs to be in place for a successful shoot.

I know there are directors/filmmakers here (in LA) who need that kind o...

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Giulio Malandrino

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

Maurice Vaughan

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...

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Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

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....

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Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Ilanna Mandel
An old song of mine

Hi All: I used to be quite a singer back in the day - so here's a song I wrote and recorded called Sweet Freedom. I don't sing as much anymore but would love some feedback. https://soundcloud.com/discover

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Ilanna Mandel. I just listened to both songs and followed you on SoundCloud. Your singing and songs are incredible!

Ilanna Mandel

Aww thank you. I always felt the folk blues song had potential and I'd love to sell it or something!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Ilanna Mandel. I like both songs, especially Sweet Freedom! I hope you sell them/find people to use them!

Liked by Suzanne Bronson and 2 others

Misryana Why
Misryana - Stage 32 Newbie

Hello. Misryana here. I am new to Stage 32. I write genre-bending, slightly crazy, emotionally deep screenplays and novels. I have 8 screenplays completed and one full novel. I’ll be spending my Thanksgiving Day downtime from my 9-5 eating, partying with family and editing the new screenplays around...

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Mone't Weeks

Congratulations, that is quite an accomplishment. Have a great holiday as well.

Maurice Vaughan

It's great to meet you, Misryana Why. Welcome to the community. Congratulations on writing 8 screenplays and a novel!

Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creativ...

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Liked by Debbie Seagle and 6 others

Ehsan Rahimpour
The impact of the Inciting Incident

Robert McKee, a wise voice on storytelling, highlights an important point: 

The impact of the Inciting Incident creates our opportunity to reach the limits of life. It’s a kind of explosion. In Action genres it may be in fact an explosion; in other films, as muted as a smile. No matter how subtle or...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Ehsan Rahimpour. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know I moved your post from the Authoring & Playwriting Lounge to the Screenwriting Lounge since it fits better here. Let me k...

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Ehsan Rahimpour

Hi, Maurice Vaughan,

oh, thanks for your careful correction.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Ehsan Rahimpour. And it's the last week of Stage 32's November Write Club. It can help you reach a goal, it's a chance to connect with writers, directors, producers, etc., and you can...

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Abram Christian

it’s the first element I anticipate when I’m watching a movie or a tv Ehsan Rahimpour series....

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Debbie Seagle

Ehsan Rahimpour - very insightful. My entire script is often written from the idea of an inciting incident - then I start at the beginning - incite - and keep going!...

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Liked by Stefano Pavone and 4 others

Zarya Rowland Bintz
Well written shows

I'm wondering what some of your favorites are. I noticed in the OWAs that I haven't seen most of the shows they are inspired by. I guess I need to watch a lot more tv, lol. I thought I already watch too much! I really loved the writing on Black Sails. From beginning to end it had strong character de...

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CJ Walley

Here's my recommendations for good writing. A lot of these shows go under the radar because they are a little too heavy for the average viewer:

Patriot

Outer Range

Deadloch

Swarm

Fleabag

Homecoming

Undone

Rossi Kaufman

Second Patriot 100% and Black Sails is awesome. Would add some more gems in: Banshee, Loudermilk, Lodge 49, Devs, Zero Zero Zero and The Deuce

Stefano Pavone

Red Dwarf

Blake's 7

Galaxy Express 999

Queen Millennia

Space Pirate Captain Harlock

Space Battleship Yamato

Maurice Vaughan

Fallout, Breaking Bad, The Wire, Yellowjackets, and The Last of Us to name a few, Zarya Rowland Bintz.

Pat Alexander

I'd toss Beef, Landman, Andor, and Mare of Easttown into the hat as well!

Liked by Beridze Kakha and 3 others

Michael Fitzer, MFA
More on Using Practicals

I've said it here before... I love a good practical light! Simple, utilitarian. Oftentimes, quite beautiful. Many years ago, I shot a small indie film where our primary location was a musty, old recording studio (where magic happens of course). The space was huge and extremely dark. I needed to find...

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Maurice Vaughan

That's a great idea, Michael Fitzer, MFA! I like the way the scene looks!

John January Noble

Improvisation, lighting, ideas, and lenses go hand in hand.

Dirty Fangz

The still of the set looks amazing the lighting was perfect. it has become a challenge with lighting to be original because it seems the Bi-color practical lighting teal foreground orange background has become the signature template.

Liked by John Fife

C.J. Night
OMG, are you really a producer?

A producer is the most miserable creature alive. His morning doesn’t start with brushing his teeth with a fresh line of cok... — no, he has to groan, crack his spine, and drag himself to Walmart. There he buys yet another tiny mixed-feed gizmo for the Time Machine he’s been building, just so he can...

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Kevin Hager

What are you saying?

C.J. Night

Usually I say words made of letters, earthling:)

Kevin Hager

I still don't understand.

Liked by Lauren Hackney and 7 others

Debbie Seagle
Opening Credits

When you start a script, do you describe the action behind the opening credits? I want to write the opening sequence where the credits roll. - I see it in my head. - But … maybe I should step back.

Do you leave it up to your director of photography/cinematographer to get creative, or do you suggest an opening sequence in your script?

E Langley

Welcome, Debbie Seagle. Adding credits is in the same amateur vein as a copyright notice, draft status and date on a title page.

Debbie Seagle

Yes E Langley I'd never include the credits in the script (but MAYBE an opening sequence ((a simple action sequence)) where the credits scroll). But dang, I put the draft date on the title page of my...

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E Langley

Put the date (and draft number) in the file name.

Francisco Castro

As a paid studio reader for several years, it is unnecessary to put the draft date on the title page. The only time you put a draft date on your script is when your script is in pre-pro or in production.

Debbie Seagle

Thank you E Langley & Francisco Castro ! I truly appreciate your expertise! I love the insight and helpful tips for moving forward professionally. These little nuggets will help everyone level up....

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Liked by David Linski and 16 others

Jon Hersh
Ask Me Anything (AMA) 11/28 to 11/29- How to Utilize Agents, Managers, and Dev. Execs. In Your Screenwriting Career

Hi, Stage 32 Community!

More about m...

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Sandra Isabel Correia

Hi, Jon Hersh. Happy Thanksgiving for you and your family. Thank you for your time with us. I have two questions, if you allow me to:

- When a writer has a high‑concept, commercially driven feature, wh...

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David Linski

Happy Thanksgiving Jon. I appreciate this opportunity. I've been writing in the dark for years but successfully publishing my first book has given me more confidence and purpose as a writer. I'm finis...

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Jackie Giroux

After having sold.true life screenplays, Netflix aired a documentary that I was featured in

on Oct 30th. 2025.

Since I have no representation, but was integral to the Documentary, do you think I could...

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Don Zorbas

Hi Jon, thanks for doing this. What’s the best way to put together a query letter via email and is there a specific day and time you should tsend that out to producers and agents? Thank you so much. Really appreciate this.

Mick Eggins

Hi Jon, thank you so much for you time offered to everyone.

In your professional opinion, when is the best time to seek out representation? Is there a certain amount of screenplays, concepts/ideas or d...

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