Happy Sunday, Creative Army!

Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in.

This week’s featured video essay comes from our friends at StudioBinder- How to Write the Main Conflict of the Story: The Engine of a Narrative. If you’re building a narrative and you haven’t deeply explored your story’s conflict, this is your reminder to start now. Conflict is the engine that drives all character movement and keeps your audience locked in. Whether it’s internal, personal, or external, understanding how these layers of tension interact is vital to writing something that resonates.

• Internal Conflict is about the invisible battle within your character: self-doubt, fear, or a moral dilemma. These are the struggles that define your protagonist’s emotional arc.
• Personal Conflict comes from relational friction: love, betrayal, loyalty, or rivalry. These elements add raw, human emotion that audiences connect with on a personal level.
• External Conflict includes the forces outside the character: societal pressure, institutions, natural disasters, or war. These elevate the stakes and define the world your story lives in.

You can’t have movement without resistance. So, as you shape your next scene or sequence, ask yourself: What is my character up against and why does it matter? When you build meaningful conflict, you build unforgettable stories.

Speaking of building unforgettable stories, I’ve been saying it in my recent AMAs and video posts, and I’ll say it again here: The spec market is heating up. And if you’re writing a feature, or even outlining one, this is your moment. We’ve already seen more than 20 major spec sales in the last five to six months announced in the trades. And that’s not counting the scripts being picked up by indie producers and smaller production companies behind the scenes. Watch my video here to learn more!

Recently we celebrated the theatrical release of Neighborhood Watch—a feature written by a Stage 32 member who found their manager/producer through a Stage 32 script consultation. That manager/producer championed the script, helped shepherd the project through production, and now it’s playing in theaters nationwide. Read the full success story here!

The lesson? If you’re writing something, now is the time to act. Don’t sit on it. Put yourself out there. Reps, producers, and buyers are looking, and they’re looking hard.

Are you writing a spec or brainstorming a new concept? What stage are you at? Let us know in the comments! Let’s support each other through this wave of opportunity.

As always, here at Stage 32, we love to share stories and knowledge with our fellow film fans. Know someone who would love this content? Share it with them! You can keep up with all of our content by subscribing to the Stage 32 YouTube. For more inspirational, educational, and motivational content on all things entertainment industry, follow me on Instagram and X @rbwalksintoabar.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, & creative Sunday.

Cheers,

RB

StudioBinder | How to Write the Main Conflict of the Story

RBWalksIntoABar | The Spec Market Is Heating Up- What Should You Write?

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