Trending Lounge Discussions

Understood. I am in that bort too. Get Truby's book. You won't regret it.

Make your own film, Tony. Post it and your writing will improve amazingly. You can do it with a zero budget.

as much as I'd love to do that I have no training on film angle no equipment and absolutely no idea where to start a science fiction Space movie while working 65 hours a week as a truck driver starting at 1:00 a.m. Central and getting home at 3:00 p.m. central I just don't have the skills necessary to make a film as much as I'd love to

>I also have characters with great story. the thing i am struggling with is the main story that pulls them all together

So if I get it right, you have your world and great characters, each with their own interesting back story, but you now need a main narrative - the way I write, once I have the characters and the setting in my head, I let the action reveal itself scene by scene - of course, a story doesn't write itself, but one scene leads to another and then the subconscious mind starts developing scenarios that feed out of those already written... So a short answer: the way to get over that 'hurdle' is just to start writing.

that's what I've mostly been doing is taking the characters and building the main story around them and then whenever I come into something that is problematic trying to work my way through it but again it just comes down to me being new and wondering if what I'm doing is any good and also being scared to share it because I don't know who I can trust I really really wanted this mentorship program that I joined to give me that security but I think it's a scam and one of the moderators here has told me it probably is as well so I am just using the little bit of tools I have to rebuild an engine with a rubber mallet a rubber band a bottle of duct tape yes I know I said a bottle LOL but that's kind of how I feel and let's not forget the Stick of bubble gum

Depending on the type of location you are looking for, it's always a good idea to have a back-up location available. This will also depend on your budget and your shooting schedule. However, you usually have more "maneuver room" on feature films rather than a TV series (tight shooting schedules) or short films (Low-to-no budgets.) :)

Thanks for the answer, Peter D. Marshall. What's the best location for a micro-budget film budget wise? I'm thinking a house/apartment.

When you say a "micro-budget film", is this a feature film (how long?) or a short film (how long)?

A micro-budget feature film, Peter D. Marshall. 90 minutes.

I don't know what your story is about, but be careful that the film does not get too "claustrophobic" if so much happens in just one location. Think abut where you can break up some scenes to shoot EXT or in another "close" INT:Location. Those are just some general ideas without seeing your script. :)

Fuad Shawn Thank you so much, Fuad! I’m really glad the atmosphere and composition resonated with you.

Thank you, Maurice, for the warm welcome and for sharing these helpful Stage 32 resources. I’ll definitely explore the blog and the Open House recording.

Thanks so much, Dragu-Mihai! Just saw your DM. I’m excited to talk more about this.

You're welcome, Maheshwarapandiyan Saravanan. I'm a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. If you ever have any questions about Stage 32, let me or another Lounge Moderator know. We have badges on our pictures. Or you could email support@stage32.com.

thank you so much, Maurice!

Congratulations!

Maurice Vaughan Thank you, Maurice! Appreciate the support and suggestion. I think a sentence or two in the pitch would be a good idea. Love the inspiration for your script, too. Wishing you the best always.

Irish Taflinger Thank you!

You're welcome, Ramon Zapata. Thanks. Hope you sell your script! I'm looking forward to watching Shaolin Demon!

Hi Ramon Zapata, Very Nice I will look forward to viewing this film. I love watching films from Korea, China, and Japan, heavy on the mysticism and martial arts. Subtitles create an awareness one needs to view the film while reading text. Most films out of these countries have actors whose facial expressions express the subtext and hidden emotions with such subtle intensity. Congrats Ramon

I agree, Ehsan Rahimpour. I don't use coincidence in scripts, especially during the climax and ending.

"The solution, therefore, is not to avoid coincidence, but to dramatize how it may enter life meaninglessly, but in time gain meaning, how the anti logic of randomness becomes the logic of life-as-lived." I've never tried that. Thanks for the idea.

You're welcome Maurice Vaughan. McKee actually urges us not to escape by resorting to a convenient plot device called a "coincidence," but to find an organic, meaningful internal logic within the story to resolve the conflict.

Hi, Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg. Hope you're having a great month! Next week should be slower, so I might be able to make the virtual drop in.

Thrilled to hear that sir

Thanks for the introduction!

R

Rodgers Wilson You're welcome. Hope you'll come to one of our virtual drop ins!

Hi everyone. My name is Mukesh Parikh. I am writer and Producer. My short went on Cannes on the American pavilion. Currently in pre-production of international Musical drama feature based on true events with Grammy winners. Cast and crew on board. Hunting for Executive producers/co pro/equity partners. I am also working on 2 more projects one of them an action/dark comedy. Excited, passionate and super blessed to be with you ALL.

Great share, Pat Alexander! Thanks. I didn't know those are the ways James Cameron came up with the Avatar movies. That shows filmmakers, writers, animators, etc. can use things about themselves and life to come up with movies, shows, and so on.

Honestly, I can't. I love most of Cameron's work but I can't sit through 10 minutes of any Avatar without feeling nauseous.

Kevin Hager There is no shortcut to success in this industry. Certainly you might find someone with an "in" with a person, but it means nothing if you don't know how to pitch a story. Work on your presentation, logline, etc. Most projects are sold by a compelling sentence or short paragraph. Whoever you look for gets hundreds of asks per day. You need to figure out how to make your project stand above the rest. Check out the Blog section here on Stage 32 for tips on how to be seen.

But should or could we contact that person, if they could pass the message and idea to their relative?

Maurice Vaughan Yup, that's what will be happening in between work, hubby and I will put on Xmas movies, and I am proud to say, I will be initiating him into "Love Actually". He hasn't seen it yet!!! And, he will be lovingly make me watch "Die Hard" with him…and at some point, Harry Potter is happening.

Hopefully I will be going to Colorado to see my family. I just need to buy those plane tickets.

Mostly I will write my script, give a motivation, celebrate my birthday and write my character’s struggles.

Brittany Christine I'm looking forward to fly to the south of France to spend Christmas with family

I am going to be a stow away Alexandra Stevens

I think the time-jump is effective, James LO. Jumping from 2075 to 1995 got me interested in knowing what happened to the characters and world in between those years.

James LO It’s absolutely effective to jump start the story . I’ve used it myself in my current script, I circle back around to that scene at the end and show it in its entirety.

Hi, Rich Terdoslavich. Hope you're having a great week! "It’s always great to add a close up shot if needed to focus on something specific, in this case, the passing of the football from player to player." I do the same thing when I write a script. I like to put the object, vehicle, etc. on a separate action line to bring more attention to it.

Welcome, Rich Terdoslavich Your point about collaboration is key. When a director has a clear vision, the storyboard artist’s role in translating and refining that vision is invaluable. Thanks for sharing your expertise and these great samples.!

Hi, Maurice! Definitely you have to mix it up a bit with the angle shots. In this case, the director had in mind regarding that shot that it would be a close up. In films, you’ll see close up shots on specific objects that is an integral part of the film. Just saw that in Blood Simple by the Coen Brothers. If a close up is being used on an object, you know that it is serving as an important part of the film.

Thanks, Sam. I enjoy the collaborative process with film directors because you are contributing something to the project. On another film I worked on, the director asked me to do a slew of storyboards because she needed help/assistance on composing the shots. She needed someone that had an ability to draw and visualize the scenes. Once I did it, completed the boards and sent them to her, she was very happy with my work. Sometimes, it’s troubleshooting the challenge and working it out. I always enjoy drawing/illustrating boards and concept art for directors and producers.

The Coen Brothers are incredible directors, Rich Terdoslavich! I'll check out Blood Simple. Thanks.

I'm getting ready to write vertical scripts, Sebastian Tudores. I watched Stage 32’s "Understanding Vertical Storytelling "Verticals" 101" webinar last week. I plan on watching the "How to Write Vertical Micro Drama Scripts" webinar. A producer-director I've worked with for a long time wants me to write some vertical scripts for him. I might turn some of my scripts and script ideas into vertical scripts.

This is interesting @sebastian - Good to know :)

that is awesome to hear Maurice Vaughan - how are you finding the adjustment? What's most challenging, in your view? Is it the pacing, the action lines, etc? cheers

glad it caught your eye Lauren Hackney :)