Screenwriting

It’s safe to say that 2020 was one hell of a year! From an apocalyptic type pandemic, to a hot and heavy political climate, to our economy nearly crashing, it really had it all. Unfortunately for me, I was one of the unlucky ones that found myself out of work. This turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise though, because it gave me more free time. During my down time, a friend of mine asked me to read the first draft of his feature script, and I happily obliged. Reading his script and giv...

I've often heard people say "I couldn't get into that show/movie." Why? "None of the characters were likeable." While this might be a fair criticism, people still love the shows or movies that have unlikeable characters. Of course, this is also something that's subjective to the person. Who is unlikeable to some, might be lovable to others! That could be a preference thing, but what about the shows with objectively unlikeable protagonists/characters? For the sake of the argument, let's say...

From Alex Montilla   Kheireddine El-Helou and I met while working as assistants in the editing room of 'The Muppets' in 2011 and immediately formed a bond based on a love of genre films and filmmaking, often discussing ideas for films we wanted to make. Through his award-winning short horror film, 'Drudge', Kheireddine got representation and some industry attention and was ready to make the move into features. So, in 2015, he told me his loose idea for a super low-budget movie he wanted to ma...

Making a film is a 'Big idea" that tends to overwhelm and can be an endless challenge to try and set sail. Where does one begin? This is your dream, after all, and here are a few methods that will help inspire your creative life. Understand that Writing is Everything For as long as I can remember, if I wanted to create something, it would not be discovered without reading about it. In fact, reading is a prerequisite to writing. I think that what you read changes your thoughts and then your so...

Happy Thursday Stage 32! Since 2011, Stage 32 has been a leader in connecting and educating film, tv, and digital creatives and professionals worldwide. With an exclusive library of over 1,500 hours of film, television and digital craft and business webinars and classes, Stage 32 is recognized as the leaders in online education for the industry. We are the proud networking and education partner of the American Film Market, the Cannes Film Festival and many other festivals, film commissions and...

It’s no secret that we’re in a new Golden Age of Television. With audiences’ increasing desires for escapism and purely bingeable TV, there is perhaps no greater demand for new material than within Televised Comedies. Series like TED LASSO on Apple+, PEN15 and RAMY on Hulu, BARRY and INSECURE on HBO, ASTRONOMY CLUB on Netflix, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL on Amazon, critics and global audiences alike can’t get enough. Not only are these shows changing the way that we watch television but, in many c...

Hello Stage 32 Community! Since the beginning of this year, our fearless leader and CEO Richard "RB" Botto has been talking a lot about the Content Gold Rush of 2021 - how development and the need for great stories and content is higher than ever. Well, this notion has been proved time and time again within the Stage 32 community since January. For starters, we have already had 160 meeting requests from entertainment executives looking to connect with screenwriters and filmmakers they have met...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! I've got my coffee in hand and your weekly dose of content coming in hot - grab your coffee of choice and let's dive right in. First up, Rotten Tomatoes TV recently interviewed Anya Taylor-Joy about how she created her Golden Globe-winning role of Beth Harmon in Netflix's The Queen's Gambit. She talks about the research she did on addiction, how she found common ground with Beth through her own personal life, and more. If you are a fan of The Queen's Gambit, our v...

Hello, fellow creatives! Whether you are looking for your next gig or in the middle of a shoot, enjoying some extended time outdoors or staying in to crank out that next script, I hope you are continuing confidently forward on your creative journey! But what if you don’t feel the forward momentum? What if you’re feeling the heavy, messy trudge like Atreyu through the mud in The NeverEnding Story? First, don’t stop! Stepping back to reassess how best to progress, however, can allow you to come ba...

Happy Friday, Creative Army! I have been talking about The Great Content Gold Rush of 2021 for the last few months. The entire Stage 32 staff is on the phone everyday with their fingers on the pulse of what is happening in the entertainment industry and the word is unanimous - networks, streaming platforms and producers and other executives need new content. The past three months have proved this notion in spades - we have already had over 155 meeting requests from entertainment executives loo...