Screenwriting

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, in this fantastic interview from Film Courage, Screenwriter, Director, & Editor R.J. Daniel Hanna is sharing the truths that no one can teach you about screenwriting. Honing in on the hard fact that sometimes “good” isn’t good enough. As creatives, rejection is a constant part of the journey an...

There are so many different aspects to your screenplay that will guarantee its success. A compelling story is one such aspect, but without interesting characters, the story will just fall flat. Here are some tips to help you write the best characters possible, and bring that story to life. 1. Make The Lead A Likable Person You may want to avoid this, as trying to make a character likable can often make the story dull and uninteresting. After all, if there's no one creating conflict, then the...

So you’ve finally caught on that the easiest script to get made is horror. It’s global, it’s cheap and it’s the most-made genre with independent investors. What do you need to know? 1) Low Budget If You Are Not Established There are so many genius horror movies that take place in a house or a hotel or in the woods. Why? Because you only need one location. Monsters are tricky, but ghosts that you never really have to see (Paranormal Activity) are cheap. The cheaper your budget, the more likely...

I started screenwriting and joined Stage32 in 2016 when I read a statistic that only one out of 3,000 feature scripts are made into a movie. My response was, “I’ll just write 3,000 scripts.” I’ve received great feedback and encouragement from RB and the Stage 32 community. I want to share my three most important lessons after almost eight years into this new chapter in my life after a career as a scientist. 1) Just Keep Writing I’ve completed 90 scripts to date. I try to write compelling, con...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! The Biggest Feature Screenplay Contest in the World is Back! Ever dreamt of seeing your feature film script come to life on the big screen or streaming on TVs in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! Drama is the basis of every story that endures throughout entertainment. From the world-altering tension of OPPENHEIMER to the relentless turmoil of KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON and the emotional depth of THE HOLDOVERS, audie...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, in this video from StudioBinder, they’re explaining Aristotle’s Poetics, one of the earliest examples of literary theory analyzing dramatic storytelling. By understanding Aristotle’s 6 principles- plot, character, thought, diction, spectacle, and song, you’re mastering a guide that if followed...

Hey There, Stage 32 Community! The last month of the Summer of ’24 is behind us (how did that happen so quickly??), and we all know what time it is at the end of each month - it’s time to celebrate our amazing members here at Stage 32, in particular their recent successes! This is our monthly opportunity to put the spotlight on just some of the super-talented writers and creatives in our family and share their stories of success with everyone! We know how hard everyone works on their craft, w...

There are so many choices in life that can really stump us. Living situation - East Coast or West Coast? City or Small Town? Furry companion - Cat or Dog? Or relent and go Fish or Turtle? Morning nutrients - Eggs & Veg or Hot Cereal & Fruit? Or slack off and keep it Coffee & Donuts or Tea & Biscuits? Creative Community - NO CONTEST! Joining the Stage 32 Writer's Room community to help me achieve my screenwriting & filmmaking goals has been the best decision of my professional career. So, on my...

Want Success? Stop Listening to the Hollywood Narrative! Is it just me, or does it feel like Hollywood is set up to make you fail? Obstacle, after obstacle… Rejection, after rejection… It’s *almost* not even worth trying. And I can say ‘almost’ because those of us who still believe in the magic of our dreams, have a passion so strong that we are going to go for it, despite all of the hardships we hear about. If you are one of those people, like me, I want you to really listen to what...

Happy Friday, Stage 32 Community! Our Stage 32 Team has been working diligently to bring in as many new resources and opportunities as possible to enrich your experience here in our community! At Stage 32 you have direct access to award-winning industry executives and professionals who’ve written, produced, developed, starred in, PA'd, assistant directed and represented acclaimed projects such as WAR IS OVER, IN THE LINE OF FIRE, THE FIRM, AIRFORCE ONE, GET SHORTY, A SONG FOR IMOGENE, I FO...