An Emmy-nominated VFX supervisor and a sound designer at Universal have recently both come to me expressing their frustration about the business. They wanted to know if everyone was feeling the squeeze or if post-production was just getting the short end of the stick? Both asked me for advice: Is there a segment of the business that's safe?

The answer: yes and no.

No one's safe. Ever. In any business. But I'm finding more and more that the business is welcoming hyper-specialization. Hence the title: the importance of finding your niche.

You can no longer be a good director. You have to be THE horror director someone calls when they need a good scare, an emotional story arc, and that unique je-ne-sais-quoi that is yours and only yours. And that applies to every job in this business.

You can no longer be just a development executive. You have to be the dev exec who knows everyone in a specific segment of the business. Or you have to be the manager with the best comedy clients working in the half-hour space.

So my question to you is: what is your niche? What is the one thing that makes you stand out and defines your style or career? Think about what you've lived through, what you excel at, and chances are…you may have already been focusing on a specialty without realizing it.

Now is the time to own your niche.

This Week's Announcements

This week, we're thrilled to announce our partnership with STARZ and the trends from our August Best of Stage 32 (the best scripts of the month voted by executives).

27 Scripts Received the Exclusive Double Recommend Distinction

Writers who receive a Double Recommend are included in our monthly lookbook of Stage 32's Best Of.

The lookbook is then shared with all 3,000+ executives on our platform. Not only is it a valuable opportunity for writers to get their work discovered, but it also provides us (and you!) a window into what the industry is currently seeking.

This month’s list reveals several compelling trends. There’s a strong representation of multicultural narratives and female protagonists, reflecting the industry’s continued demand for inclusive content. Most concepts appear designed for mid-budget production, favoring contained settings and character-driven stories over VFX-heavy spectacles.

Interestingly, several projects cross traditional genre boundaries: western horror, sci-fi drama, historical action—reflecting a hunger for original concepts and innovative storytelling approaches. While features dominated the submissions, comedy appears to be making a notable comeback with increased demand compared to recent months.

The comparative titles writers chose also tell a story. Most paired established classics with contemporary successes, suggesting savvy market positioning that balances timeless appeal with current relevance.

So, does your work fall into any of these trending categories? If not, what’s your main takeaway from these industry patterns?

Stage 32 Partners with STARZ, NALIP, and NFMLA

As announced exclusively in Variety, Stage 32 is an Education Partner for the STARZ #TakeTheLead Writers’ Intensive with the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) and NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA). This program is one of the most important pipelines for underrepresented storytellers, and we couldn’t be more honored to contribute to it.

Learn more by clicking HERE!

Exciting Opportunities Here on Stage 32!

With such a renewed appetite for specs and original voices, there’s no better time than now to pitch your project. The industry is actively seeking the kind of innovative, character-driven content we’re seeing in these submissions.

View Full Pitch Session Schedule Here

This month, we’re particularly excited to highlight producers who are actively building their slates:

Jim Young of Animus Films brings nearly two dozen films of experience to the table. Currently in pre-production on UNDER THE MILKY WAY with two-time Oscar-winner Nick Vallelonga directing (GREEN BOOK), Jim has built his career on compelling true-story films, including THE CATCHER WAS A SPY with Paul Rudd and THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY with Oscar-nominee Dev Patel. Click here to book your pitch session!

Jason Piette, a BAFTA-winning producer with over 50 credits, recently announced multiple projects in Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter, including the psychological thriller PAST LIFE starring Oscar-nominee Emile Hirsch. His impressive slate includes THE MERCHANT OF VENICE with Al Pacino and the $33M NAPOLEON series for A&E. Most importantly, Jason requested 8 scripts and 8 meetings from recent pitch sessions—proof that these conversations lead to real opportunities. Click here to book your pitch session!

Kate O’Hara serves as Head of Development for Cardiff-based Riot Time Pictures, recent recipients of the BBC Small Indie Fund. With her background developing projects for BBC, Channel 4, and Film 4, including the BAFTA-nominated BBC1 Drama LOST BOYS & FAIRIES, Kate represents the kind of decision-maker actively seeking fresh voices. Click here to book your pitch session!

Nathan Samdahl serves as SVP at Walter Hamada’s 18hz Productions, the company recently announced in The Hollywood Reporter. He just wrapped production on an Untitled Andre Øvredal Horror Film and is in post on PRIMATE, both upcoming Paramount releases. His impressive track record includes working as VP of Development and Production at Paramount Players and the main Paramount film division, where he was instrumental in developing horror hits like SMILE, A QUIET PLACE, PET SEMATARY, OVERLORD, and Alex Garland’s ANNIHILATION. Starting his career at APA in the lit department, Nathan has worked his way up through the industry and genuinely loves collaborating with writers to develop their scripts. Click here to book your pitch session!

The data doesn’t lie. Original concepts with strong characters and innovative genre-blending are in demand.

The question is: will your script be the one that gets noticed?

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Ashley at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

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