Success Stories

If your screenplay lands in the forest, will anyone find it? Yes, I’ve mangled an old trope, but the point I’m making is this: as screenwriters we need to proactively ensure our scripts reach producers once we complete our polished creations. After all, the whole point of writing a script is to get it filmed! Fortunately, I discovered the Stage 32 Pitch Sessions. I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical at first, but I decided they would be a great way to connect with executives and others in the...

I’ve had a love affair with writing for as long as I can remember, but my journey wasn’t always on a straight road. Being a screenwriter who after a 27-year hiatus from writing returned to his craft with a renewed passion and dedication, I had written a series of whimsical short stories that were well-received by readers. However, life and its responsibilities took center stage, and I put my writing on hold to focus on other things. During my hiatus, I lived life with no regrets. I gained a we...

TV comedies have never been more smart, diverse and laugh-out-loud funny. Managers, producers and development executives are on the hunt for the next ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, BARRY, or HACKS. Audiences love a good TV comedy - TED LASSO and ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING are successful for a reason! We’re here to give your TV comedy project that kind of success. If you have a TV comedy story that needs to be told, now is the time to show us what you've got, because our goal is to amplify your voice, gi...

Hi, Stage 32ers! Over the last few months, Stage 32 has raised the bar to invest in YOU by expanding our incredible team with passionate and enthusiastic individuals. Each and every one of us on the Stage 32 staff believes deeply in our mission to provide global networking opportunities, world-class entertainment industry education, and a marketplace connecting content creators with decision-makers, to the members of this great community. We want to connect with each of you to hear about you...

I started pitching my Horror Comedy game show, JUMP SCARES, near the start of March. I was pitching it on Stage 32 (I posted my show in the Logline Section of my profile). Pitching a project on Stage 32 is great – I recommend doing it! – but it wasn't this alone that led to my signing a shopping agreement. That happened from networking in the Stage 32 Lounges. IT STARTED WITH A LOUNGE POST In the past, I had been a lurker. But, after being inspired by Stage 32 CEO Richard Botto's call to step...

Last year, my co-creator friend Stephani Prescott and I had just entered a development agreement with Cindy Villareal (Majestic Productions), and it’s safe to say a lot has happened since! Cindy is one of the kindest, down-to-earth people you will ever meet, and it has been an absolute pleasure working with her. The development phase was critical as there is so much up-front work necessary to package everything up. We relied on Cindy’s guidance and expertise to get the pitch deck and lookbook...

Hello Stage 32ers! My name is James J. Papa. I met veteran film writer/director/producer, Julia Verdin of Rough Diamond Management through a consult call on Stage 32. As a result, I ended up co-writing the socially conscious project No Address with her. It is about the homeless in California. This is my story! How Julia & I Connected We connected through Stage 32’s one-hour script consults. I strongly recommend this to any writer who feels their script is ready, and polished, and wants to t...

Last year, Stage 32 was kind enough to publish several blog posts, in which I described my career path, going from an unknown writer in a small country to now being able to have a career in filmmaking. And Stage 32 did what it does best - it sparked connections. A producer based in LA noticed a few of my blog posts, and then noticed my insight on a topic. He decided to get in touch via Stage 32, asking what I was working on. And then, magic happened. Within a month, I had a meeting with...

Now that you are deep into your journey in the tv and film business, you can find yourself in a web of the constant need to go, go, go, do, do, and prove, prove, prove. Take a pause. Big success is bound to follow if you never lose your passion and drive for which you started with. By doing so, it’s ok to pause and acknowledge the smaller accomplishments. The truth is the pursuit of the big picture can come with a load of stress. It’s important to find the balance in creating by celebrating. T...

You've made a short film. You've put in your time, effort, blood, sweat, tears, and perhaps even some serious money into your project. Your goal isn't only to get your film seen but to get it seen around the world and by people who can make a difference in your career. Would being screened by an Oscar-qualifying film festival matter? How about having it screened for over 1,000 executives including managers, agents, producers, film financiers, and more? Look no further. The most prestigious sho...