Trending Lounge Discussions

The hottest discussions in the Stage 32 Lounge.

Liked by David K. Knight and 6 others

Ian Buchanan
Actionable advice for international scriptwriters

hey scriptwriting creatives!

I’m taking a slow return back into the scriptwriting world after my last attempt didn’t yield the results I had hoped for. it’s a familiar story with everyone I’m sure, I had that “precious baby” of a story that I was so sure would be a game changer… that never amounted t...

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Sanna Peth

I don’t think there’s a single clear answer to this. A lot of people on this platform — and in the industry in general — are struggling with the same thing. It really is a patience game, and breaking...

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Aleksandar Lahtov

In my country Macedonia you can't make a living only from screenwriting. You gotta have another job. But screenwriting according to my opinion is a way to honestly express yourself creatively, getting...

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Stephen Folker

For many, there is not single approach. And where you are based doesn't have a bearing on if you'll make a living or not. You need to be actively finding connections, have a positive outlook and willing to put in the time. Whatever you do, don't give up!

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Ian Buchanan! Welcome back to Stage 32 and screenwriting. You could check the Job Board (www.stage32.com/find-jobs). It gets updated regularly.

I've gotten a lot of jobs on Stage 32 by networking...

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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 Ehsan Rahimpour and 8 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 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 Beridze Kakha and 8 others

David Miller
Slug Lines - Love 'em or Leave 'em?

In a recent review, the reviewer stated, “…transitions like “Fade in/Fade out” are generally discouraged in modern screenwriting.”

This got me to asking myself, should these transitions be removed out and left to directorial discretions? My current thinking now is to leave them out.

Would love to kno...

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Mike Boas

“Cut to” is not necessary because it is understood. For all other transitions, put in when you feel it is important for storytelling purposes. Don’t overthink it.

I believe CJ was indicating that slug lines and transitions are two different things.

CJ Walley

Mike's spot on. Don't overthink it.

If you go on the likes of Reddit and Facebook, you'll see people saying you should never use a single transition - that it looks amateurish, that it makes you look l...

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Michael Dzurak

I use transitions like "FADE TO BLACK" or "DISSOLVE TO" to signal a larger than expected time skip which is pretty much standard from what I've seen and read. Other than that "CUT TO" is understood to before each new slugline.

Anna Marton Henry

For TV spec pilots: I don't really care if you use FADE IN / FADE OUT, though it does take up precious page space. CUT TO between scenes is not needed as it's obvious, and also takes up tons of unnece...

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Anna Marton Henry

Also, to CJ Walley 's point, I think pretty much all pros don't care about formatting so long as it's not so bad that we don't understand what you want us to see & feel. When I comment on formatting,...

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Liked by Federico Aletta and 16 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.

Tatiana McClintock

Dear Ashley, thank you for asking. But foremost, what would our answers help you determine?

Dwayne Williams 2

Hello Ashley Renee Smith for me it was this YouTube breakdown Top 100 Boss Fight 3D Montage (ft. ‪@dzasterpeace‬ ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgiRK8_iKdg and Love, Death & Robots on Netflix, both...

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Heather Gill

I read a lot more this year than in past years, and one of the last books I finished was Unreasonable Hospitality. Currently reading Range. Both are fantastic books and are shaping new directions, but helping me drill down on directions I didn't think were still open to me.

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.

Liked by Beridze Kakha and 5 others

Morgan Aitken Ipg
Help, I'm not an actor but need some advice on how to be one!

My place is firmly behind the camera, or a desk, and I'm happy there, but a recent project has me requisitioned for a making of type of documentary. My task is to read notes and sound as though I am not reading them but making it up on the spot.

I set up a microphone and gave it a try, and no matter...

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Alexandra Stevens

Hey Morgan Aitken Ipg . I suggest you don't try to perform it straight away. Just explain it to an imaginary colleague as if you’re updating someone on set. This helps your voice find its natural rhyt...

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Suzanne Bronson

Yes, I would suggest voice warm up exercises, and there are some good webinars on beginning acting, and audio book recording. Also, what Alexandra Stevens said. Just read it like you are explaining it...

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David Linski

Visualize! When you say a word your mind is also going on a journey. That's what transforms speech into performance. Feel it, imagine it and embody it and your audience will be taken on a very special journey.

Morgan Aitken Ipg

That's a brill idea David Linski ! I love the idea of visualization and words taking the listener on a journey. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and realize now, the good narrators are indeed taking m...

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David Linski

That's it Morgan. A great actor is in the driving seat, the audience are the passengers. :) Drive the story and it comes to life and takes them on the journey. :)

Liked by Federico Alerta and 8 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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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!

Zarya Rowland Bintz

Yay, a whole bunch of shows to get started on! Thanks! I also love Red Dwarf Stefano Pavone and Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul Maurice Vaughan I'm looking forward to the next season of Fallout. Hoping...

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Marie Hatten

I favor films over series but Adolescence, Baby Reindeer, All of us are dead, Nobody wants this .

Zarya Rowland Bintz

Some more of my favorites for the writing/story, in no particular order, are Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Doctor Who(I'm a longtime Whovian:), Hunter X Hunter, Death Note, Hannibal, Avatar:The Last Air Bender, Mr Robot, Ozark, Supernatural, Dark, Money Heist, and Watchmen.

Liked by Federico Aletta and 4 others

Martin Graham
Hello Lounge!

Hey all! My name’s Martin. I’m currently hailing from the very cold cornfields of northwest Indiana. I’m really happy to be back here after a bit of a hiatus, and by “a bit,” I mean almost ten years haha. I spent the last decade reorganizing some things after many years in LA writing.

I’ve been writi...

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Haley Mary

Hi Martin! Welcome back! I believe it's never too late to go after your goals. I think those of us who write can relate to staying up late when inspiration strikes. I've stayed up until 2am or 3am wri...

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Martin Graham

Thank you, Haley Mary ! Absolutely correct. It was nice to take a step back, get some new life experience. I'm normally a late owl, so it's not so bad haha. It really is an idea hour for sure. Cheers,...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Martin Graham! Welcome back. Congratulations on wrapping your first feature spec since coming back!

A lot has changed on Stage 32. Here's a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect...

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Martin Graham

Thank you, Maurice Vaughan I appreciate it and will absolutely check those resources out. Good to be back! Love what I've seen of the changes so far!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Martin Graham. What's your feature spec about?

Liked by Beridze Kakha and 5 others

Julie Lamont
Reboots

So… I’m aware writing reboots pitches and scripts, etc, has a whole range of challenges if you don’t personally own the IP and aren’t a big name producer. But for those of who have a real passion in this area, who want to see a particular project made, what is some genuine advice on how to achieve t...

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Maurice Vaughan

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/sub...

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Elle Bolan

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

Pat Alexander

The way I've seen reboots from unknown writers work is this: go into the universe of the story and tell the events from the completely opposite angle. flip the story on its head and present a totally...

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Julie Lamont

thanks Pat! that’s really helpful.

I haven’t gone all out making it totally different. Although I very much put my own spin on it. The original is a tiny IP where the concept was good but the actual i...

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