Screenwriting

Casting: I first read for a very small role that I don't believe made the film. From studying the sides and breakdowns I knew there were a couple of father characters in the script. I asked about them and that led to being called in for the role of Señor Diaz. I loved the monologue. I prepared. I also forgot my headshot and resume in the car and now some luck came into play. Director Niki Caro was brought in to see an actress during that time and when I returned I got to see her as well. She...

One of my latest projects came to me like most special things do; as an unexpected and complex occurrence. It turned into a full-circle marker and an excuse for life evaluation. On the surface it was simply being cast in a film called McFarland USA.   However, looking back at the many roads I've taken, choices I've made, pure coincidences, improbabilities, sacrifices, and even evidence of fate, I can't help but feel humbled by the order and disorder of things that take us to different...

We received an amazing amount of excellent teleplays for our first annual TV Writing Contest.  Our judges shared with us throughout the process how amazed they were with the quality of material that was submitted.  Further, our panel of industry experts who judged the final round went out of their way to mention that the winning scripts were on point as it relates to the character, tone, voice and story consistent with current programming. Stage 32 is excited to work with these writers to help g...

I have an awful confession to make: I’m a corporate video scriptwriter. I’m not sure how many scripts and proposals I’ve written for the corporate and public sector market. More than 100? Easily. 150? Perhaps. I don’t do it full-time anymore, thank the stars, but I keep my hand in as a freelance, working on an average of a project a month. To be absolutely frank, it subsidises my other life as an author and screenwriter, thus obviating any need to tend bar or sell body parts. I’ll be the f...

Just DO IT! Don’t let a PASS get you down! Get Up! Go on and WRITE! Be successful by NOT having everything you want! Do you want to be a screenwriter? If so, you probably like to write and write and write. If you don’t like to write, this job is not for you. What I’ve realized about this industry is that it’s not as glamorous as everyone thinks it is. It’s hard work and you have to be proactive and highly organized to stay on track. Thanks to Stage 32, we have everything at th...

Our fearless leader, Founder & CEO, Richard Botto was featured on the enormously popular podcast Entertainment Drive Thru hosted by Anna and Dan Zerin. In the nearly 45 minute broadcast Anna, Dan and RB talked about all things industry, including:   The origin of Stage 32 Orson Welles connection to Stage 32 Today’s evolving business, Stage 32 is creating opportunity for free Independent theater scene The importance of collaborating around the world The story of how a writer...

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the February 2015 edition of On Stage With RB, a FREE online webinar with our Founder & CEO, Richard Botto. We have opened up the webinar to accomodate 2,000 Stage 32 members and spots are filling fast! RB will be covering some of the latest and greatest site features, speaking to members of the community and spending at least 90 minutes answering questions about the industry, your chosen discipline and just about anything else that's on your mind. Plus, 2 pec...

Mark your calendars! Please join Stage 32 and Robert McKee’s STORY Magazine as we celebrate the release of the February 2015 issue featuring our own Founder & CEO, Richard Botto on the cover. Open to all filmmakers in LA who are Stage 32 members, this is a fun meetup talking about film, writing, producing and all the things we love. In addition, there will be some great Stage 32 giveaways! You don't want to miss out!   Stage 32 & Robert McKee's STORY Magazine February Issue Release...

I remember when I had my epiphany. I was sat slumped on my sofa watching Grey’s Anatomy. It was an episode where Dr. Hunt and the recently demoted Dr. Webber were putting together competing proposals to perform a difficult tumor surgery. While presenting their intentions, acting Chief Shepherd said he felt more comfortable with Hunt’s plan and Webber responded with this: “He doesn’t have a plan, he has an attitude!” And, for a brief moment, I stopped stuffing my face with chocolate. Th...

It’s that time again! Time for the February 2015 edition of On Stage with RB. Every month our Founder & CEO, RB, in a webinar setting goes over the best way to use Stage 32 to help your career. He brings on special guests who work in the industry, such as literary managers and development executives to offer advice to our community. Afterwards, he opens up the floor to you for a live Q&A session about anything and everything in the industry. Best of all, this is FREE, exclusively for Stage 32 me...