Screenwriting

This year, I'm taking my project to the next level, and the first step was to have a table read. I was actually surprised by how simple it was to organize a zoom reading using 100% of the talent through Stage 32. I previously had used some of Stage 32's talent for a zoom reading of the fantasy script, THE CHOICE. This time I had moved on to a more complex reading of a sci-fi/fantasy script called THE LEPIDOPTERAN. The stakes were a little higher with this reading than others as my script is po...

I honestly believe the path to success is driven simply by action. It doesn’t matter how amazing/terrible you might be at something, without action, you won't experience any growth and you won't progress toward your goals. Your dreams will never be realized and you’ll go through life always wondering what could’ve been. It’s not enough to want something in this life. Nobody is going to give you anything, you have to be willing to fight for it and you have to do so through action. Ideas are a d...

People from all works of life live with stress, which has sometimes led to other more serious health issues. This is a personal account of how writing helped me cope with and manage stress. Corporate Background I worked as an accountant for several years in a company with offices in multiple countries and clients in different time zones. This was challenging enough in the best of times because of the fast-paced environment and the inherent pressures of the profession. But also at the worst of...

Welcome to Part 2 of my series on Creative Process. Last month, we dove into the process of goal setting and talked about a few of the reasons why an emphasis on systems rather than goals might be the best way to structure your focus this year. This time, I promised we’d look at “creative synergy” – which is a fancy way of saying “juggling multiple projects in various stages of development without losing your ever-loving mind.” When I started thinking about this process last month, I was com...

The Script Supervisor’s job starts in pre-production. Also known as “prep,” the time during which all departments prepare for the shoot. Once you’re hired and sent the script, you’ll read it more than once, get to know it well, and then launch yourself into your prep work. One of the most valuable documents you will create as the Script Supervisor is the Continuity Breakdown or Script Breakdown. When creating your breakdown, you’ll pull out all production elements within the script an...

Happy 2023, Stage 32 community! It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since we got an email from the lovely Molly Peck congratulating us for making it to the Quarter-finalist round of Stage 32’s 1st Annual Romantic Comedy Screenplay Competition. Several weeks later, we were thrilled by the announcement that our script, Following Brendan, was the Grand Prize winner! We’ve since signed with a manager and agent, who are moving our projects around, we’re in negotiations on one project with in...

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 one of the most challenging elements of storytelling that screenwriters and filmmakers face: theme. This intangible piece is the heart of any story, bleeding into the plot, the character's emotional arc, and the visual choices creatives make. In this video from StudioBinder, th...

So...many...pitches… That’s the God’s honest truth about what often runs through my mind when I check my inboxes. On social, on email, and anywhere I can be hunted down, I get your pitches. Lots...and lots...of pitches. And the reality is- that’s a big part of my JOB! And while I may not be coming across as super enthusiastic at the moment, I am always excited to discover a concept that resonates with me, that’s unique, that's pitched well. The problem is, lots of these pitches that I sift throu...

Stage 32 is proud to present the Palm Springs Women in Film & Television & Stage 32 Short Script Competition! Your Short Screenplay PRODUCED for a GUARANTEED budget of $10,000! Enter Today!   Getting your Short Script produced is the quickest way into the industry. Many famous writer/directors have started with short films like Damien Chazelle with WHIPLASH, Wes Anderson with BOTTLE ROCKET, Taika Waititi with TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT, Christopher Nolan with DOODLEBUG and Martin Scorsese wi...

We’ve talked about activating, listening, and preserving our Voice as a path to personal success. But what exactly is our ‘Voice,’ and how do we work with it in more detail? Your Voice is Not a Muse or a Brand Wiki-how says, “Muses were goddesses to whom poets prayed for the gift of divine inspiration.” No point in praying to your Voice. You’d just be praying to yourself. I’d suggest that great works of art are not our Voice either. Art is a gift from our Voice, the product of our Voic...