Screenwriting

There's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush you get from watching an action or thriller story. Blockbuster franchise movies like TOP GUN: MAVERICK and FAST X explode at the box office while tense binge-worthy shows like YELLOWJACKETS and YOU keep us on the edge of our seats. Hollywood is always searching for the next big thrilling story -- and we want it to be YOURS! If you have an Action/Thriller story that needs to be told, now is the time to show us what you've got, because our goal is t...

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, we're looking at conversations on screen. These are some of the most challenging scenes to write, shoot, and edit in a way that's interesting. In this video from Cutting Concepts, they take a look at one of the best conversations in cinema with the opening scene of THE SOCIAL NETWORK, and how e...

Many times, when writing a script or a novel, you might consider the task of creating strong secondary characters for granted. That is, you have created a unique and interesting Sci-Fi world or main character that drives the action in your novel or screenplay. This drives the main character to overcome major obstacles and emotional challenges in order to achieve their goal by the end of the movie or novel. Their “Need” or “Desire” to achieve their goal is paramount to achieving a satisfactory...

I got my first internship in the animation business in 1998 and was hired full time as a production assistant for Walt Disney Feature Animation in 1999. I have worked relatively steadily in the animation industry ever since. One question I am often asked is, “How can I break into the animation industry?” Well, I’m not going to sugar coat it and say, “Just follow these simple steps, and you too can be living the dream in the magical world of animation!” The truth is, just like any endeavor, there...

Hi, Stage 32ers! While you may have missed out on getting to attend the Cannes Film Festival in person, you certainly won’t miss out on the incredible insights that were shared there! Stage 32 was proud to present 6 panels at the Cannes Marche du Film, which we will be sharing with you on the Stage 32 blog in the coming weeks. At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, I had the distinct honor of joining Sami Apra, CEO of Largo Film (Switzerland) and Christopher Morrison, Founder of Reality + fo...

In this era of Zoom pitches, writers sometimes question why they need a written pitch bible for a television project at all. Can’t you just pitch your show in a Stage 32 pitch session or to a contact in a meeting, send over a pilot script, and sell your show? Can’t the rest of the details be worked out later? Who would read your pitch anyway?  Actually, writing a pitch bible may be the most important step you take toward selling your show. Here are five reasons: Concept Does Not Equal Sustai...

No matter what role you play in the entertainment industry (actor/writer/producer/etc), rejection is part of the process. We all hear “no” constantly, but what do you do after? I will guide you through easy steps on how to handle a "no", and how to take new chances. First, let me introduce myself. I am a young Danish girl, who wants to be a screenwriter. At the moment I am not writing anything new, I’m simply rewriting my finished scripts. Other than that, I'm an active member and moderato...

Hi, Stage 32 Community! This June has been a busy and exciting time as our Stage 32 Team worked 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 industry professionals who’ve written, acted, developed, produced, distributed, directed, composed, and represented acclaimed projects like IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, RENO 911, THE DROPOUT, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE, THE SHRINK NEX...

Hey, Stage 32 Community, Boy, do I have some exciting updates for you! Our tireless Stage 32 Education Team has been hard at work to bring in some incredible education opportunities and resources for this fantastic community.  Over the next month, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, showrunners, acclaimed directors and screenwriters, Emmy-winning producers, video game writers, distributors, attorneys, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals...

Lights, Camera, Action! Okay, technically, it would be called out as "Sound, Camera, Mark It, Set, Action." It's literally built into the DNA of every film and television production, and yet, as a genre, ACTION can be incredibly difficult to execute well. Recently, I had a chance to catch up with my friend and filmmaking mentor, Shane Stanley. He generously shared some insights during our special Produced Script Coverage Report (Mondays in the Writer's Room). We reviewed what it took to green...