Screenwriting

Good day to you, Stage 32! Many of you know me as a regular blogger here, but I’m also a development executive with more than twenty years of experience and a screenwriter with more than 70 screenplays under my tires. More than half of these screenplays were written under other writers’ names, working under the most explicit conditions of secrecy and anonymity. Yes, dear reader, I am a script doctor. Presumably because of the secrecy and compromise involved, I get the impression from fellow...

It was a sunny Sunday morning, May 9th, 1970. I just sat down for breakfast at a quaint little restaurant in Hollywood. I was going to the MGM auction for a second day. The day before I had snagged a cool prize and it only cost me $20.00. I loved looking for movie props and memorabilia from the golden age of film. My budget was $100.00, so as you may have guessed, you can’t buy much with that. Still, you must remember it was 1970 and one hundred bucks was like a thousand back then. As I sat down...

Happy Friday, Stage 32 Community! At Stage 32, we are dedicated to helping creatives like you take your career to the next level. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, connect with industry professionals, or develop your next project, we’ve got exciting new education and executive mentorship opportunities designed just for you! This month, we’re rolling out cutting-edge courses and interactive labs led by Emmy-winning producers, top literary managers, and working executives from stu...

February often highlights love, although it is not always a simple story. Love can be a grand adventure or a lesson in letting go. It is not just something given or received; it is something created. Whether through the connections we build, the stories we tell, or the art we bring to life, love takes many forms. This month I am sharing five ways to see love through a different lens. Love Beyond the Obvious "The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." — M...

About a year and a half ago, I wrote a blog for Stage 32 to share that my short horror script, “Bad Clown” was in pre-production, thanks to a connection I made here on Stage 32 (you can read it HERE). To quickly recap, I met Christine Jansen, owner of Beautiful Darkness Productions through a Stage 32 Lounge Post. She then messaged me and requested to read my short script. I was excited and grateful, but like always, didn’t count on anything major happening.  She read my first short horror sc...

“That’s me in ten years if something doesn’t change.” These words aren’t spoken aloud, but written into John’s features when he finally meets his idol, Chazz, a robe-wearing, Hefner-like man-child still living with his mom (“Ma! The meatloaf!”). In Wedding Crashers, Chazz (Will Ferrell) serves as a clone character: a cautionary example of who John (Owen Wilson) could become if he stays on his current trajectory. According to writer/director Brian McDonald, a “clone character” is a storytell...

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. For years, Matthew McConaughey was the ultimate rom-com star. If you needed a leading man with charm, a mischievous grin, and an easygoing Southern drawl, he was your guy. But then, something changed. In this video essay from FilmStack, they’re exploring McConaughey’s professional reinvention, also known...

You volunteered for service in the military and then decided it was time to pursue your dreams in La La Land. And guess what? Hollywood is recruiting you! They know you have a story to tell, and they can’t wait to hear it. I always knew I wanted a career in entertainment, and as an Officer in the Army, I was selected to be a principal actor in a theatrical commercial for the National Guard, directed by Antione Fuqua (Training Day). After this experience, I packed my bags and moved to LA to be...

Too many creators spend years perfecting their work in silence, only to release it and wonder why no one is paying attention. The problem isn’t the quality of the work, it’s that people weren’t invited into the process. They never had a reason to care before it existed. That’s why I created the motto, “Watch Who You Call Ugly” or "WWYCU". It’s more than just a phrase; it’s a philosophy about transformation, perspective, and growth. The things we overlook, dismiss, or label as “not ready” often...

When developing a television series, a series bible is one of the most valuable tools in your arsenal. It’s your blueprint, pitch deck, and creative roadmap all in one, helping you clearly define the world of your show, your characters, and the overarching themes that make it compelling. Whether you’re aiming to sell your show, secure a spot in a writer’s room, or simply refine your storytelling, understanding how to craft a strong series bible is essential. Why Writing a Series Bible is an Es...